Navy - how did its role evolve 1763-1914?

Question 1

When was the Age of Sail?

Answer 1

period between 16th and mid-19th centuries when trade and naval warfare dominated by sailing vessels

Question 2

What naval tactics were generally used in the Age of Sail?

Answer 2

broadside, ie simultaneous discharge of rows of cannons mounted on side of warship

Question 3

What three features were found on victorious warships in Age of Sail?

Answer 3

• more, bigger, faster-diring, accurate guns (up to 60 each side of ship, up to 3 cannonballs per gun)
• more maneouvrable ships
• crews proficient in both sailing and gunnery

Question 4

Give four reasons why fleets approached enemy in a long line.

Answer 4

1. sustained bombardment, with each ship firing a broadside as it passed enemy
2. avoided friendly ships firing at each other
3. reduced exposure of vulnerable sterns and bows to enemy fire
4. improved speed and effectiveness of signalling using flags

Question 5

What tactic gave Britain a decisive victory at Trafalgar in 1805?

Answer 5

Nelson sailed his smaller fleet in two perpendicular lines towards enemy line (“crossing the T”) therefore having superior firepower at the point of intersection.

Question 6

What were British and French losses (ships and men) at Battle of Trafalgar?

Answer 6

France: 22 ships, over 13,000 men
Britain: no ships, less than 2,000 men

Question 7

What was a ship of the line?

Answer 7

ship deemed strong enough to be in the line of battle, so generally built long (so lots of cannons) and narrow (to maximise speed), with deep hulls to cut through water and huge sails on three masts

Question 8

What were first or second rate ships of the line?

Answer 8

Three gun decks
80-120 cannon

Question 9

What made a ship of the line fourth rate?

Answer 9

less than 64 cannon

Question 10

What made a ship of the line third rate?

Answer 10

64-80 cannon
two gun decks
crew of about 500

Question 11

What rating were most ships of the line around 1800?

Answer 11

third rate as good mix of firepower and maneouvrability

Question 12

What rating were frigates?

Answer 12

fifth and sixth rated

Question 13

What three things were frigates mainly used for?

Answer 13

patrolling
destroying enemy trade
escorting friendly shipping

Question 14

Why were frigates faster and more maneouvrable than ships of the line?

Answer 14

single gun deck

Question 15

How could fortunes be made on successful frigate?

Answer 15

Under Cruisers and Convoys Act 1708, captain and crew entitled to shares of value of captured ship and cargo, as prize money

Question 16

What was the first experimental steamship and when was it launched?

Answer 16

The Kent in 1794

Question 17

What was the first steam-powered warship and when was it launched?

Answer 17

American ship Demologos in 1816

Question 18

When did Britain launch its first steam-powered frigates?

Answer 18

1843

Question 19

Which country built the first ironclad warship and when?

Answer 19

France in 1859

Question 20

What was the first Britsh ironclad warship and when was it built?

Answer 20

HMS Warrior in 1861

Question 21

When did Britain abandon sail-powered warships in favour of steam power?

Answer 21

1873

Question 22

Why was Britain rarely the first country to develop new types of ships in 19th century?

Answer 22

It had more wooden sailing ships and could easily build more so no incentive to change

Question 23

Why were steam-powered ships deemed unsuitable for war for decades?

Answer 23

unreliable, slow engines that consumed lots of coal
paddle wheels unsuitable for heavy seas and took up space needed for guns

Question 24

In what type of areas did steamships start to be useful?

Answer 24

When not enough room for sailing ships to navigate, eg on rivers

Question 25

What innovation in 1830s meant steam-powered warships became more feasible?

Answer 25

invention of more powerful propeller screw propulsion