Boydell Press British Naval Captains of the Seven Years' War: The View from the Quarterdeck

Review A very useful addition to the growing number of social studies on the Royal Navy. ― MARINER'S MIRRORThis important and closely argued study exploits rich archival resources to render these captains as individuals, the better to comprehend the myriad and variant types of Royal Navy post-captain that existed at the apogee of Georgian glory. ― AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEWProvides us with a new understanding of the relationship between the Admiralty and its officers.[It is] an enjoyable book that offers new knowledge of and insight into the eighteenth century Royal Navy. ― FORUM NAVALEA marvellous book, alive with appropriate detail, rich in evidence. ― CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HISTORYThis important and closely argued study exploits rich archival resources to render these captains as individuals, the better to comprehend the myriad and variant types of Royal Navy post-captain that existed at the apogee of Georgian glory. ― JOURNAL OF AMERICAN HISTORYA well-written and comprehensive account of the mechanics of running and fighting a warship in the mid-eighteenth century. It would serve as an excellent primer for the subject, and every new naval history student would benefit from adding it to their reading list. ― INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARITIME HISTORY Product Description 'We have always known who were the captains of the Seven Years' War, in the sense of having lists of their names. A few of them, who later became famous, we knew personally at least a little, but until now most of them have never been more than names. The genius of this book is to bring them to life as individuals; to show their hopes and fears, their faults and virtues, and to fill in the details of their working lives. Far from the grand narrative of battles and campaigns, this book illuminates the everyday world and everyday thoughts of a generation of 18th-century naval officers.' N.A.M. RODGER, All Souls College, Oxford This book provides a detailed insight into the operations of the British Navy during the Seven Years' War by examining the experiences of the cohort of men promoted to the rank of captain in 1757. Byrne McLeod outlines their early careers, discusses how they were selected for promotion and examines the opportunities for making reputations and fortunes through action first against the French and then also the Spanish. She also demonstrates the iron control wielded by the Admiralty over its captains and shows that, although connections and interest assisted greatly with promotion, allegations of 'corruption' were misplaced. The navy in this period was highly effective: an extremely complex and efficient bureaucracy where merit was most definitely rewarded. Based on extensive original research, this book explores the everyday minutiae of the captains' duties and responsibilities. The captains were well aware that every detail of their commands contributed to their effectiveness as fighting machines. From never-ending convoy protection to large-scale, world-wide amphibious operations, these men served in what has rightly been called the first global war. Maritime and eighteenth-century historians will find this book particularly rewarding. About the Author A.B. McLeod obtained her doctorate in naval history from the University of Exeter following careers as a teacher and in the City.