Warships: A History in Drawings

An accessible and highly illustrated publication telling the story of the developments in shipbuilding from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, this remarkable volume draws on the extensive and mostly previously unpublished ship plan collection of the National Maritime Museum, part of Royal Museums Greenwich. Providing both a historic and thematic overview of warship plans and design, the book chronicles the technical advances in the production of ships and reveals some of the exquisite artistry of the draftsmen.

Elaborate Victorian plans, which go beyond reference tools and can be considered works of art in their own right, are contrasted with more functional drafts created on linen and acetate, as well as blueprints. Showcasing plans for some of the most famous warships, as well as rare and unusual examples for ships that were never realized, Warships links the advances in shipbuilding and design to wider social-historical considerations, including exploration of diverse topics such as captured warships and royal yachts.