A TREATISE ON NAVAL GUNNERY.
1829. 2nd Edition, Revised and Expanded. London: John Murray, 1829. Second Edition. Quarto, with several tables in the text, 5 folding engraved diagrams and 4 folding tables; Contemporary marbled boards, but quarter bound in modern cloth. A clean and complete, highly desirable copy of a classic work in its most important edition. Son of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Douglas, Sir Howard Douglas (1776-1861) enjoyed a distinguished military career and developed a well-earned reputation for enquiry and innovation. By 1811 he had perfected and patented 'Douglas's reflecting circle'; in 1816 he published an important study of military bridges and in 1819 a treatise on Carnot's system of fortification. He then turned his attention to naval matters and produced the first edition of his famous volume on naval gunnery in 1820. It is a comprehensive study covering theoretical, practical and tactical aspects and its impact was significant. Its success, both at home and in translation, led eventually to the establishment of 'H.M.S. Excellent' as a gunnery training school. Douglas consulted closely with Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke of HMS Shannon vs. USS Chesapeake (1813) fame regarding the system of gunnery he developed and used aboard HMS Shannon during the Napoleonic Wars and War of 1812 and incorporated this information into the 2nd, revised edition--considered the most important to naval and ordnance historians focused on the Age of Fighting Sail. CONDITION: edge wear to the binding, notably the bottom of the boards; internally remarkably crisp, fresh, clean copy. Item #57
Price: $750.00