Can anyone please tell me if there was a major difference in warships and tactics between 1600 and 1800.

I'm sure there was. Pre-1600 there were relatively few decisive naval battles as ships were used mainly as transports for troops I think. As technology advanced and enabled heavier cannon etc. it became possible for the role of ships to change and they evolved into fighting platforms capable of threatening trade routs and merchant vessels, and thus naval warfare, offensive and defensive grew.

As regards tacics this must have had a huge impact. Nelson is credited with superb tactical nous that for instance won the battle of Trafalgar, a battle that could nver have been fought in the 17th century, nor would it have had the same significance. There must be lots of sources out there to confirm or deny, and hopefully some real experts to give you better insights than I am able to.

There was one fairly decisive naval battle in 1588 I think!

The National Maritime Museum is a good place for all info regarding ships. If you can get there it's best, but otherwise look up their website. (Sorry I can't post it, am v bad at these technical things!)
Ships in the 17c did carry cannon, but their main cargo was trade and people. The American migrations started in 1620.

One interesting point, if you look at the battles of the Anglo-Dutch wars in the 17th century you will see that some of them last for days, presumably because it took longer to do critical damage to ships then compared to battles in the 18th century which are virtually always over in a matter of hours.

quote:

Sunnyblink
Posted 02-06-06 11:13
There was one fairly decisive naval battle in 1588 I think!

Indeed there was.

Has anyone read "The Invisible College" by Robert Lomas. In it there is a suggestion that one of the main "functions" of the Royal Society was the improvement of the navy through scientific discoveries/advances because of the threat of the superior dutch navy.

There's lots of good stuff out there re 17th century naval warfare. Try Capp "Cromwell's Navy" or Hainsworth and Churches "Anglo Dutch Naval Wars 1652 - 1674". One of the main tactical talking points is about line ahead sailing and whether to observe strict formal line ahead sailing or the Melee - as advocated by the Duke of Albermarle and Prince Rupert where individual commanders could use their own initiative - probably a better option until the invention of the rotating gun turret! In the St James day fight (1666) the english fleet's tactics certainly anticipated those of Nelson.