In the massive revolution that affected warship design between Waterloo and the Warrior, the Royal Navy was traditionally depicted as fiercely resisting every change until it was almost too late, but these old assumptions were first challenged in this authoritative history of the transition from sail to steam.

Originally published : 1990. Includes index.

Introduction : the Navy's Industrial Revolution : Victory 1793-1815 -- Science, seppings and the school -- Resources, money and men -- Swansong -- Steam -- Paddle fighting ships -- Iron ships -- Condemnation of iron ships -- Screw propulson -- HMS Rattler and other early screw ships -- The screw fleet -- The war with Russia -- The last wooden ships -- Warrior ; APPENDICES : Horsepower -- The work of Colonel Beaufoy -- Cost -- Building prgramme, sailing ships -- The design of wooden warships -- A not on the strength of the Nemesis -- Fouling and corrosion -- Notes from Dupuy de Lome -- Strength of wood and iron -- A technical note on the Rattler and Alecto trials -- The Battle of Eckenfjorde 1849 -- The gun boat builders -- The attack on Kronstadt -- Notes on individual dockyards.