Monday, February 4, 2013

"the British were the first to completely copper the bottoms of their entire fleet beginning around the time of the American War for Independence"

Discussion of the technological advancements in warships in the 1700's.  For example:
the British were the first to completely copper the bottoms of their entire fleet beginning around the time of the American War for Independence. This factor had a radical impact upon hull durability and speed, comparable with almost any changes in actual ship design. It was hugely expensive but kept ships out of dry-dock and improved their weatherliness and speed and helped assist uniform the speed characteristics of the whole battle fleet when in formation. This crucial change in itself was comparable in impact to the 20th century's incorporation of the microprocessor into modern naval electronics.