AN ESSAY ON NAVAL TACTICS, SYSTEMATICAL AND HISTORICAL. WITH EXPLANATORY PLATES. IN FOUR PARTS.

One of the most important works on naval tactics published in the age of sail, this is an attractive copy of all four parts of Clerk's influential treatise, with all fifty-two plates. The first part was privately published in 1782 in Edinburgh, and then in the present form in 1790. The second through fourth parts followed in 1797. Clerk was a Scottish merchant with a long interest in navigation, and he based this work on his study of English and continental naval tactics. He was partially influenced to produce the present work due to British naval defeats during the American War of Independence, especially the defeat at Yorktown. The plates illustrate many of the battles Clerk analyzes, including Admiral Rodney's engagement with the French in 1780, Arbuthnot's battle off the mouth of the Chesapeake in 1781, Byron's defeat by the Comte d'Estaing at Grenada in 1779, and more. Admiral Nelson implemented some of Clerk's tactics during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Not in Sabin, despite the American content. "Distinctive as one of the first British accounts of tactics, as opposed to a work in French translation, and for its criticism of the current Royal Naval practice of looking more to signal books to the detriment of fighting instructions" - DNB. JCB MARITIME HAND-LIST 1277. ADAMS & WATERS 359, 360. SCOTT 419. Modern three-quarter calf and marbled boards, spine gilt. Modern bookplate on front pastedown. Contemporary ownership signature of "Sir Patrick Murray" on first half title. Very clean and fresh. A fine copy.…