Royal Navy structure + tech

Question 1

what were RN ships built out of 1793?

Answer 1

wood

Question 2

how did the RN ships move in 1793?

Answer 2

they were dependant on sails

therefore tactics had to incorporate wind direction

Question 3

what naval tactics did the RN use in 1793?

Answer 3

• blockade system
• broadsides

Question 4

what was the blockade system?

Answer 4

RN ships would surround the French/Spanish port forming a blockade which prevented French/Spanish ships from leaving port

Question 5

what was the aim of the blockade system?

Answer 5

to prevent open water conflict

Question 6

what was broadsiding?

Answer 6

attacking ships at their sides

Question 7

how was broadsiding carried out?

Answer 7

a ship would line up adjacent to an enemy ship and would fire all guns on the side facing the enemy ship

Question 8

what guns were found on RN ships in 1793?

Answer 8

32lb guns

Question 9

how many sailors were needed to fire a gun in 1793?

Answer 9

7 sailors

Question 10

what was the parliamentary decree which increased Naval manpower in 1793?

Answer 10

1793 Parliamentary decree

Question 11

what did the 1793 Parliamentary decree achieve?

Answer 11

Naval manpower increased to 45,000

Question 12

what was the quota system?

Answer 12

each county in Britain had to fill a quota of sailors to be given to the RN

Question 13

why was conscription not possible in 1793?

Answer 13

voters weren’t willing to vote in a government which would introduce conscription

Question 14

what was the Impress Service?

Answer 14

gangs who would roam ports looking for men to kidnap and put on a RN ship

Question 15

what ultimatum was given to those recruited by gangers?

Answer 15

• bribe the gangs and get away
• join the RN

Question 16

what were ‘tell tale signs’ that a man had been at sea?

Answer 16

• the way they walk
• had leathered skin
• weather beaten face

Question 17

who did press gangs mainly targets?

Answer 17

• merchant navymen
• returning POWs

Question 18

when was coppering introduced?

Answer 18

1761

Question 19

what was significant about coppering?

Answer 19

increased the reliability of RN ships

made them faster

could remain at sea for longer

Question 20

when was the carronade developed?

Answer 20

in the 1770s

Question 21

what did carronades fire?

Answer 21

grapeshot at short range

Question 22

what were the properties of a carronade?

Answer 22

• shorter barrel
• wider muzzle
• broader angle of fire
• quick to reload
• used little gunpower

Question 23

what was ‘crossing the T’ ?

Answer 23

naval tactic used in the 1790s

attacking ship sails in front of the enemy ship
the enemy ship is fired upon from its front, damaging the entire length of the ship

Question 24

how did the carronade help the Royal Marines?

Answer 24

firing upon enemies on the deck and eliminating them means the deck is clear for Royal Marines to land on and take the ship

Question 25

when was the carronade first used?

Answer 25

1782

Question 26

which frigate first used the carronade?

Answer 26

HMS Rainbow

Question 27

what was the pay for a naval seaman?

Answer 27

22s
around £1.12 a month

Question 28

who served as Prime Minister during the Napoleonic Wars.

Answer 28

William Pitt

Question 29

what had the American War of Independence shown about the RN?

Answer 29

was a major defeat for the British

showed that many ships of the line were old and poorly maintained

Question 30

what were the key roles of the RN during the Napoleonic Wars?

Answer 30

protect Britain
protect British commerce
interfere with French trade and naval activity

Question 31

why were RN ships better than the French?

Answer 31

better manoeuvrability

men were always practising firing guns

coppering meant that ships were out for longer

strong naval discipline was enforced