HIS102Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Home Riggs Popham
Document Summary
Greater revolution in warfare done by napoleon"s enemy - in sea. British empire sailed into action off the southern coast of spain against france and spain. The history of naval combat - frustration. Ships were increasingly more powerful - not the problem, fire power better than anything a land power could do. Napoleon"s army of the north at the battle of waterloo in 1815 against allied forces, managed to drag into action 366 artillery pieces. Nelson"s fleet 21st october 1805 had slightly more fire power - his ships had no less than 2,232 canon on board - much greater in number. Quaint wooden warships were the most lethal killing machines - ingenuity of military designers had developed - unsinkable. The only real danger to a sizeable warship in late 18th c was fire - wooden constructs are combustible. Nelson"s crews and his opponent collingwood - ordered to throw anything combustible overboard to try and prevent spread of fire.
