Rif Winfield

Rif Winfield’s book, The Fifty Gun Ship, A Complete History is a comprehensive history and a detailed description of the arrangements and operations of these ill-loved but heavily used ships. While very readable, it is also a fine reference book for the naval history aficionado. As a bonus, it features the wonderfully drafted plans and cutaway drawings of HMS Leopard drawn by John McKay.

The book is in two sections – “Development” – the development of the 50 gun ship and “The Ships” – the arrangements, outfitting and operations of the ships themselves. Like the frigates and the many other eighteenth century warships, the 50 gun ship were developed from the Flemish privateers, the “Dunkirkers”, from the first half of the 17th century. Also like the frigates, the 50 gun ships were intended as a hybrid – strong enough to fight but also fast enough to run if need be. In this role they were considered by many to be a failure, not quite capable to stand in the line of battle yet not necessarily swift enough to run from a larger foe. Nevertheless they continued to serve effectively in colonial outposts and on the fringes of the fleet until the early nineteenth century. Several, including HMS Romney in Boston and later as flagship of the Mediterranean fleet and HMS Leopard in the Chesapeake, played their own roles in history, just as the Leopard would later play a role in Patrick O’Brien’s fiction.

The second half of the book – “The Ships” is a joy to ship aficionados. If you want to know the nitty gritty details, they can be found here. From the general arrangements, to manning and accommodations, to rigging, armament, fittings, stores and even the costs and funding of the 50 gun ships, there is enough to satisfy most hard-core ship wonks and model makers without unduly weighing down the casual reader.

John McKay’s wonderful 3d cutaway drawings of HMS Leopard’s decks shine light into the darker recesses of the ship and make it all accessible. Likewise, the McKay drawing of the ship’s lines, profile, plan and rigging included in the book jacket sleeve are worthy of study and not a little admiration.… (altro)