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Warfare and Tactics Archive

The Capture of Mauritius in 1810 vs. The Mauritius Command

As Patrick O’Brian states in the introduction to that book, the events described in The Mauritius Command are closely based on fact. Just how closely is apparent from the following excerpts from part 5 of W.L. Clowes’ The Royal Navy. Peter Davis has helpfully added reference numbers to the novel in [..] (not sure which [...]
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The Wretched Prison Ships

This article addresses a subject a bit before our time, but one that applies to our beloved series nonetheless. Many Napoleonic-Era prisoners of war were held in prison ships, and I cannot imagine that in the 30 years between the American War of Independence and the Napoleonic Wars conditions changed much! I suppose Jack and [...]
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The Continental Navy

Americans first took up arms in the spring of 1775 not to sever their relationship with the king, but to defend their rights within the British Empire. By the autumn of 1775, the British North American colonies from Maine to Georgia were in open rebellion. Royal governments had been thrust out of many colonial capitals [...]
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Education and Leadership in Cinema: Master and Commander

We have already discussed Jack Aubrey’s skills and characteristics as a leader as well as the potential educational value of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, but the following guide takes those two concepts and combines them! It’s very exciting. The guide is meant to be used in training firefighters in the [...]
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The Strategic Failure of French Privateering

Clearly French privateering during the Revolutionary period failed in its perceived strategy: to cripple British marine trade.
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British Naval Supremacy: Some Factors Newly Considered

“As for a man-of-war, it is either an autocracy or it is nothing, nothing at all – mere nonsense. You saw what happened to the poor French navy at the beginning of the Revolutionary War…” – Jack Aubrey to Stephen Maturin, The Yellow Admiral British Naval Supremacy: Some Factors Newly Considered By Mitch Williamson Strategic [...]
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Three Insanely Advanced (Naval) Weapons History Somehow Forgot About

As I’ve mentioned a few times (here and here), I’m a huge fan of Cracked.com. I love them because they’re hilarious, but also because they seem to have three or four people on staff dedicated solely to writing historically themed articles, and those three or four people always manage to inform me about things I [...]
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Logistical Challenges of Sea Power in the Age of Sail

A naval force usually does not possess the ability to accomplish to the satisfaction of its commanders all of its wartime tasks. Whether the conflict is in home waters or across an ocean, naval commanders are confronted by a broad spectrum of potential responsibilities. They can include fleet-on-fleet battle, blockade, convoy escort, coastal patrol, and amphibious operations, conducted [...]
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A Word of Captain Caution: Myths About Privateers in the War of 1812

“But is not a privateer a man-of-war?” asked Stephen. Jack and Mowett pursed their lips and looked disapproving. “Why,” said Jack after a moment, “I suppose strictly speaking you could call them men-of-war, private men-of-war; but no one ever does.” – The Reverse of the Medal While no one ever called privateers “private men of war”, in [...]
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Nelson’s Account of the Battle of Copenhagen 04.02.1801

The Battle of Copenhagen, 2 April 1801: Vice Admiral Lord Nelson’s official report to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. Elephant, off Copenhagen, 3rd April 1801. Sir, In obedience to your directions to report the proceedings of the Squadron which you did em the honour to place under my command, I beg leave to inform you that [...]
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All To Seek: Cross-Reference

Subjects Commonly Addressed