Author/Editor: Christopher O'Bryen, Esq. (Adapted from the original French treatise by Paul L'Hoste)

Title: Naval Evolutions: or, A System of Sea-Discipline; Extracted from the Celebrated Treatise of P. L'Hoste, Professor of Mathematics, in the Royal Seminary of Toulon; Confirmed by Experience; Illustrated by Examples from the Most Remarkable Sea-Engagements between England and Holland; Embellished with Eighteen Copper-Plates; And Adapted to the Use of the British Navy.

Publication: London: Printed for W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Street, MDCCLXII [1762].

Format: Quarto / 11"x8.5"

Content Overview

This 1762 publication is a highly significant English adaptation of Paul L'Hoste's pioneering 1697 work, L'Art des Armées Navales, which was one of the very first major treatises on naval tactics. Adapted by Christopher O'Bryen, a Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy, this edition was specifically tailored to serve the needs of the British Royal Navy during the mid-18th century.

In addition to Hoste's core theories on fleet formations, signaling, and tactical maneuvers, O'Bryen's edition includes several important supplementary texts:

An abstract on the theory of ship-building.

An essay on naval discipline by a "Late Experienced Sea-Commander."

A general overview of the armament of the French Navy, complete with practical observations.

The work is prized for its detailed fold-out copper-plate engravings, which beautifully illustrate complex fleet maneuvers, wind directions, and naval engagements.

Physical Description & Condition

Binding: Rebound in a handsome full brown calf leather. The front and rear boards feature traditional blind-tooled paneling. The spine is detailed with raised bands, decorative gilt tooling in the compartments, and a contrasting red morocco label lettered in gilt ("NAVAL EVOLUTIONS").

Endpapers: Features vibrant, multi-colored marbled endpapers.

Text Block: Textually complete. Pages show typical age-toning. The title page exhibits a brown stain in the lower-center section, with scattered foxing and minor blemishes throughout, some damp staining to last handful of pages.

Plates: The title page calls for eighteen copper-plates. Note: This copy contains 16 of the fold-out copper-plates, lacking 2 to be complete. The present plates depict striking maritime scenes and complex ships-of-the-line formations, maintaining strong impressions with standard fold lines as issued.