Describes the warships of England and other countries in the seventeenth century and the battles and wars in which they were involved.

Includes index. Bibliography: p. 170-171.

Rivals to inherit the earth -- A marriage of cannon and sail -- The "Wasa" reborn from the deep -- Titanic trials for the new navies -- In celebration of the waters around them -- A Spanish interlude between the wars -- The nemesis of the dockyard thieves -- The fire ship : a triumph of the incendiary's art -- "To fly is the fashion of cowards" -- Twin catastrophies: God's fire, Holland's revenge -- The greater victory that might have been.