This important collection brings together 23 studies on naval technology, policy-making and administration, tactics, strategy, operations and warfare on trade and offer new perspectives and promising departures for historical studies of navies, warfare at sea and important contexts of naval history.

Contents: Introduction. Part I Technology: The early provision of artillery armament on Mediterranean war galleys, John F. Guilmartin, Jr; 'Many may peruse us': ribbands, moulds and models in the dockyards', Richard Barker; The Dreadnought revolution of Tudor England, Geoffrey Parker; In pursuit of the frigate, 1603-40, Andrew Thrush. Part II Policy and Administration: The evolution of the Ottoman seaborne empire in the age of oceanic discoveries, 1453-1525, Andrew C. Hess; Economic aspects of the construction of warships in Venice in the 16th century, Ruggiero Romano; Maturing of naval administration 1556-64, Tom Glasgow, Jr; Spanish Armada guns, I.A.A. Thompson; Armadas in an age of scarce resources: struggling to maintain the fleet in 17th-century Spain, David Goodman; Prelude to power: the crisis of 1649 and the foundation of English naval power, James S. Wheeler. Part III Tactics in Battle: The development of broadside gunnery, 1450-1650, N.A.M. Rodger; The action between Pater and Oquendo, 12 September, 1631, C.R. Boxer; The 'military revolution' afloat: the era of the Anglo-Dutch wars and the transition to modern warfare at sea, M.A.J. Palmer; The introduction of the single line ahead as a battle formation by the Dutch 1665-66, R.E.J. Weber. Part IV Strategy and Operations: The overrated adversary: Rhodes and Ottoman naval power, Palmira Brummett; Herring Wars: the Habsburg Netherlands and the struggle for control of the North Sea, ca. 1520-60, James D. Tracy; The recovery of St Andrews Castle in 1547: French naval policy and diplomacy in the British Isles, Elizabeth Bonner; The Thirty Years' War in the Mediterranean, R.C. Anderson; The Thirty Years' War in the Mediterranean, part II, R.C. Anderson; The Straits of Hormuz fleets: Omani-Portuguese naval rivalry and encounters, c. 1660-80, Glenn J. Ames. Part V Trade Warfare and Privateering: The organization and effects of Flemish privateering in the 17th century, R. Baetens; The Spanish Dunkirker