A Description of the Sights, or, Instruments for Pointing Guns; Proposed by Major General William Congreve, for the Use of the Navy, and now adopted in that Service. With the Account of that Practise made with them on board H. M. S. Liffey.

CONGREVE (Major-General Sir William)

Published by London: Printed by J. Whiting, 1819

About this Item

Second edition, 4to (273 x 170 mm), vi, [7]-55, [1]pp., with half-title, large paper copy, 3 engraved plates (2 folding), contemporary ink inscription of Henry Beaufoy to head of title, light marginal water-staining, original boards, rubbed, rebacked, uncut, a nice copy. A relatively little-known contribution to military technology by William Congreve (1772-1828), best known now for his designs for military rockets, and also deeply involved in artillery innovation. This work reflects his attempts to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of traditional artillery through mechanical and optical improvements. Provenance: Henry Beaufoy was a son of the astronomer and physicist Mark Beaufoy (1764-1827), a founder member of the Society for the Improvement of Naval Architecture. It was Henry who in 1834 was to publish his father's experimental research into the relationship between hull shapes and water resistance. JISC locating 3 copies of the 1818 first edition, and just 2 copies of this second edition (BL and National Maritime Museum).

Seller Inventory # 42111

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Description of the Sights, or, Instruments for Pointing Guns; Proposed by Major General William Congreve, for the Use of the Navy, and now adopted in that Service. With the Account of that Practise made with them on board H. M. S. Liffey.
• Publisher: London: Printed by J. Whiting
• Publication Date: 1819
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • MILITARY