Galleon Great Ships of the Armada Era by Peter Kirsch

[allanyed]

Before spending even a little money, I am very interested in the accuracy of this book.   Does anyone one know what sources Mr. Kirsch used?  To what detail does he go and does it cover galleons from Spain, England or??????   

Many thanks in advance.

Allan

[Mark P]

Good Morning Allan;

 

This is an excellent book. It is based on the author's reconstruction of a galleon using the 'Salisbury Treatise', which is an early 17th century work on designing ships. This is a detailed treatise, and is in some places hard to understand (it does not help that some of the sentences here and there were lost in copying) I believe that there are one or two errors in Mr Kirsch's reconstruction (I cannot remember who told me this, it was some time back) but overall it is certainly a good buy. 

 

He uses a surviving votive model from Denmark, I believe it was, as a general guide to what he is trying to achieve. However, the treatise is written in English, presumably by an Englishman (the original has not survived, which was certainly larger than what we now have, with tables, now lost, included) and to the best of my memory, it can only be assumed to refer to English practice.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

Edited December 1, 2023 by Mark P

[GrandpaPhil]

This is an excellent book.  It has been very useful to me.

[Roger Pellett]

For Iberian vessels I suggest Vanguards of Empire.  This describes Spanish practices for designing the hull.

[AnobiumPunctatum]

I do not know the English version, but the German version is in my opinion one of the best books about this theme.

[allanyed]

10 hours ago, AnobiumPunctatum said:

I do not know the English version, but the German version is in my opinion one of the best books about this theme.

Christian, are you referring to Vanguards of Empire or Great Ships of the Armada Era by Peter Kirsch.  I did wind up purchasing the latter and it is quite informative.

Allan

Edited December 17, 2023 by allanyed

[AnobiumPunctatum]

@allanyed I refer to Kirsch "Galleon - Great ships of the Armada Era". In German the title is "Die Galeonen"