A Level History Unit 3: Britain: losing and gaining and empire, 1763-1914 -
The changing nature of the Royal Navy
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_e4z4m2
1. Why did Britain - Britain had naval supremacy because of its large, highly-skilled sailor force, had
have naval su- lots of new technology and its sailors had a high morale. They also had a large
premacy in the number of ships in its fleet - at its peak in 1810 there were close to 1,000 vessels.
Age of Sail? - The tactics in the Age of Sail were known as broadside ie. This meant that the
ships had their guns mounted on their side and the two lines of ships fired parallel
to each other. A new tactic was created known as crossing the T which involved
the attacking fleet to approach the enemy in a long line. It enabled sustained
bombardment and avoided friendly ships firing on each other. It reduces the
exposure of the bows and sterns to enemy fire as only the first bow and last
stern were exposed. It improved the speed and effectiveness of signalling by flags
between the admiral's ship and the rest of the fleet. It resulted in decisive victories
e.g Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
2. What was the Age Age of Sail - ships of the line 1763-1840
of Sail? 1st & 2nd rate - e.g HMS Victory built in 1765 - Strongest in firepower (80-100
cannons) but less manoeuvrable.
3rd rate - 64-80 cannons, 500 man crew - Less effective out of fleet to fleet combat.
Dangerous to sail near shore due to lack in manoeuvrability and also can't do
patrolling or escorting.
6th rate (frigate) - single gun deck, much shorter - Faster and more manoeuvrable,
can sail closer to shore, effective in capturing ships.
3. What was the Age Age of Steam 1840-1870s
of Steam? Hybrid sail-steamer - sails for ocean travel, steam paddles for river navigation - able
to tow warships up rivers which allowed the ability to access previously inaccessible
inland areas.
Steam battleships - screw propellers meant ocean-going steam travel was possi-
ble, Britain developed this in 1843 and France in 1845 - greater manoeuvrability
in battles (didn't have to rely on wind), signalled the start of the naval arms race
where more money was spent on fleets.
Ironclad battleship - French developed La Gloire in 1859, it had iron plates fitted
, A Level History Unit 3: Britain: losing and gaining and empire, 1763-1914 -
The changing nature of the Royal Navy
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_e4z4m2
as armour - significant as it marks the end of the wooden navy and happened
due to the French development of Paixhans guns in 1841 as ships needed more
protection
4. What was the Age NAR/Dreadnought 1880-1914
of NAR/Dread- Mastless battleship - e.g HMS Devastation 87 metres long, thick hull and had
nought? 2 35 tonne guns - significant as it was the turning point away from sails and
no more traditional sailing techniques as they were embracing the benefits of
industrialisation, very powerful ship
Dreadnought - 10 12 inch guns, 5 turrets, 5000 tonnes of armour, watertight
compartments and was completed in a year and a day - very significant as it
made all the other battleships in the fleet (and their rivals fleets) obsolete. In
order for someone to now beat the British they would now need a ship like the
dreadnought or better and more dreadnoughts than Britain. By 1914, Britain had
29 and Germany had 17.
5. What was the The dreadnoughts had the most significant impact because it made all the other
most significant ships obsolete. Now, all the other countries would have to build a ship that is better
development in than the dreadnought which was pretty hard at the time. However, it isn't all positive
ship types and as it got rid of the navy's advantage of a super skilled crew due to the fact that ships
why? didn't have sails anymore - they didn't require the same calibre of skills that gave
them a large advantage in the Age of Sail.
6. Key Term: Age of The period between 1763-1840 when trade and naval warfare were dominated by
Sail sailing vessels.
7. Key Term: Broad- The simultaneous discharge of large guns mounted along the side of a warship.
side ie The rapid firing of broadsides was the main battle tactic in the Age of Sail. With
up to 60 cannons on each side of a warship, a single well-aimed broadside could
completely disable or sink an enemy vessel. At very close range, guns could be
loaded with two or even three cannonballs for increased damage.
The changing nature of the Royal Navy
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_e4z4m2
1. Why did Britain - Britain had naval supremacy because of its large, highly-skilled sailor force, had
have naval su- lots of new technology and its sailors had a high morale. They also had a large
premacy in the number of ships in its fleet - at its peak in 1810 there were close to 1,000 vessels.
Age of Sail? - The tactics in the Age of Sail were known as broadside ie. This meant that the
ships had their guns mounted on their side and the two lines of ships fired parallel
to each other. A new tactic was created known as crossing the T which involved
the attacking fleet to approach the enemy in a long line. It enabled sustained
bombardment and avoided friendly ships firing on each other. It reduces the
exposure of the bows and sterns to enemy fire as only the first bow and last
stern were exposed. It improved the speed and effectiveness of signalling by flags
between the admiral's ship and the rest of the fleet. It resulted in decisive victories
e.g Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
2. What was the Age Age of Sail - ships of the line 1763-1840
of Sail? 1st & 2nd rate - e.g HMS Victory built in 1765 - Strongest in firepower (80-100
cannons) but less manoeuvrable.
3rd rate - 64-80 cannons, 500 man crew - Less effective out of fleet to fleet combat.
Dangerous to sail near shore due to lack in manoeuvrability and also can't do
patrolling or escorting.
6th rate (frigate) - single gun deck, much shorter - Faster and more manoeuvrable,
can sail closer to shore, effective in capturing ships.
3. What was the Age Age of Steam 1840-1870s
of Steam? Hybrid sail-steamer - sails for ocean travel, steam paddles for river navigation - able
to tow warships up rivers which allowed the ability to access previously inaccessible
inland areas.
Steam battleships - screw propellers meant ocean-going steam travel was possi-
ble, Britain developed this in 1843 and France in 1845 - greater manoeuvrability
in battles (didn't have to rely on wind), signalled the start of the naval arms race
where more money was spent on fleets.
Ironclad battleship - French developed La Gloire in 1859, it had iron plates fitted
, A Level History Unit 3: Britain: losing and gaining and empire, 1763-1914 -
The changing nature of the Royal Navy
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_e4z4m2
as armour - significant as it marks the end of the wooden navy and happened
due to the French development of Paixhans guns in 1841 as ships needed more
protection
4. What was the Age NAR/Dreadnought 1880-1914
of NAR/Dread- Mastless battleship - e.g HMS Devastation 87 metres long, thick hull and had
nought? 2 35 tonne guns - significant as it was the turning point away from sails and
no more traditional sailing techniques as they were embracing the benefits of
industrialisation, very powerful ship
Dreadnought - 10 12 inch guns, 5 turrets, 5000 tonnes of armour, watertight
compartments and was completed in a year and a day - very significant as it
made all the other battleships in the fleet (and their rivals fleets) obsolete. In
order for someone to now beat the British they would now need a ship like the
dreadnought or better and more dreadnoughts than Britain. By 1914, Britain had
29 and Germany had 17.
5. What was the The dreadnoughts had the most significant impact because it made all the other
most significant ships obsolete. Now, all the other countries would have to build a ship that is better
development in than the dreadnought which was pretty hard at the time. However, it isn't all positive
ship types and as it got rid of the navy's advantage of a super skilled crew due to the fact that ships
why? didn't have sails anymore - they didn't require the same calibre of skills that gave
them a large advantage in the Age of Sail.
6. Key Term: Age of The period between 1763-1840 when trade and naval warfare were dominated by
Sail sailing vessels.
7. Key Term: Broad- The simultaneous discharge of large guns mounted along the side of a warship.
side ie The rapid firing of broadsides was the main battle tactic in the Age of Sail. With
up to 60 cannons on each side of a warship, a single well-aimed broadside could
completely disable or sink an enemy vessel. At very close range, guns could be
loaded with two or even three cannonballs for increased damage.
