"Mr. Archibald is a master of the art of presenting history, albeit naval history, as compelling entertainment . ." TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

E.H.H. Archibald's The Wooden Fighting Ship in the Royal Navy and The Metal Fighting Ship in the Royal Navy were widely acclaimed as a comprehensive and splendidly illustrated account of the world's oldest and most famous navy. Both books won awards when first published in 1968 and 1971, and quickly sold out when reissued as a boxed set in 1981. Here, for the first time, these authoritative texts are reprinted in one volume, fully revised by the author to bring their unique record up to date.

From the small wooden ships, armed with foot soldiers, with which Alfred the Great defeated the Danes off the Dorset coast in A.D. 897, to the highly sophisticated frigates, destroyers and aircraft-carriers which played such a key part in the Falklands campaign of 1982, the author offers a wide-ranging survey of British naval construction and armament. Advances in the technology of ship design are examined in detail; the evolution of sailing rigs; the development of stable gun platforms in wooden ships of up to four decks; the advent of steam-power and armoured hulls; and the rapid advances in weapons systems over the last century. The abundant illustrations, many in full colour, are based on original sources — ship plans, models, pictures and photographs— principally drawn from the magnificent collection of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, where the author has been a curator for over thirty years.

The appendices contain detailed lists and abstracts of establishments of ships and guns from the sixteenth century to the present, an up-to-date summary of British naval events, sections on flags and types of smooth-bore shot, and a technical glossary. In its revised form this book is unequalled as the standard work of its sort.

". . . a remarkable and comprehensive catalogue, making this book one of reference ." Review of The Metal Fighting Ship in the Royal Navy.
THE NAVAL REVIEW.

Of the 1981 boxed edition;
. . the complete work is nothing short ofmagnent . ',for one, shall refer to this combined set time and time again.
THE NAUTICAL MAGAZINE.

Teddy Archibald was educated at Stowe and Trinity College. Cambridge, where he took a degree in history. In 1952. after three years working in the family firm in Belfast_ he joined the National Maritime Museum. Greenwich. as Curator of Oil Paintings.

He has written a number of booklets and catalogues for the Maritime Museum. Apart from the present work his other major publication is his A History of Sea Painters.