The new Hanoverian dynasty, which came to power in 1714 with the accession of George I, inherited the world's largest navy. Over the course of the century, this fleet saw action in numerous conflicts against almost every major naval power; it achieved its greatest triumph during the Seven Years' War but suffered defeat in the American War of Independence when confronted by the combined naval forces of France, Spain, the Netherlands, and the rebellious colonies. Given the historical significance of these vessels, surprisingly little easily accessible material regarding their operational history has been available. This gap is now comprehensively filled by the present reference work: it documents the service history of every single shipwhether built, purchased, or capturedthat served in the Royal Navy during the major wars of the 18th century, comprising well over 2,000 vessels in total. Organized by rate, ship type, and class, the book provides technical specifications and construction details alongside a concise summary of each ship's career. This includes information on commissioning, refits, changes of command, and areas of operation (including timeframes), as well as details regarding significant engagements in which the ships participated. The work enables readers to specifically follow up on even fleeting references to individual warships and provides researchers with a solid foundation for further study. As no comparable work exists, this book is of immense importance to naval historians and interested laypeople alikeparticularly those fascinated by the navy of the Age of Sail.
