- SPECIAL THANKS - The video animations of the Fleur de Lis galley are the work of Bernard HUC. ZED Production would like to thank him for this brilliant achievement !
Wasa did not sink because the gun ports were too low. Rather, due to the command of the king, an extra deck of cannon was added making it top heavy with insufficient ballast for stability. Even without wind in the sails, the ship threatened to capsize when soldiers ran from one side of the boat to the other.
When the British Captains who commandeered a captured French 74 third class ship of the line are saying "Best ship i ever had", then yes, the French constructed the best design. But most of these ships rarely left the harbour, and inexperienced French crews against pork fed and much more experienced British sailors... well, we know the results. On top of that, the biggest company of the 18th century worldwide was the British Navy, and they quickly adapted to copy the design. The French were "leaders of the naval industry" for a few years only, and they did neither have the crews nor the commanders to win naval superiority in these years.
Understand that this is correct. On top of all this the French did not build their ships to last - using iron as fasteners all over the place. Not a good idea at all. Perhaps there was a lack of access to bronze.
These people are clearly not well versed in age of sail history and it’s surrounded topics. And the more you learn about the strategic ideals nations had the more you realize that no one nation had the best ships or best quality ships. Each nation built their ships with different styles in mind. For example French ships in the 18th century were designed light and long with extra guns on the main batteries. The French had the idea of ships that operated close to ports for refitting, rarely spending long amounts of time at sea. The speed helped them out run blockade fleets. The British on the other hand needed ships the were sturdy and well suited for heavy weather sailing as well as being fast enough to catch the French ships. So British ships tended to be shorter and carry fewer guns on the main battery but have thicker frames as well as frames spaced more tightly together this was not just for battle strength, but mainly for strength to stay at sea for months to years at sea without refits. Thus in British service French ships loved for their sailing quality were equally hated for working themselves apart after just a few months at sea. Which is why many of the best French captured ships were never brought in to service with the RN, not because they were bad ships but because they were lighter built and would work themselves apart and require far more time in dry dock repairing. Not to mention of they did want to bring a French ship into service they wouldn’t just take it as is, they would spend months refitting it into British standards, changing internals, extra hull bracing etc. also they said Temeriare was the first to be build with a modern naval blueprint wtf? They had been using very detailed blueprints since at least as early as the 1690 in France as well as Britain.
Wouldnt say that. They fought well... for a nation that has the first priority in land warfare. But no nation with priority to land can top the British, who always had their first priority to sea warfare in these times.
The French successfully contained the British during the US independence war and won the battle of Chesapeake bay, that was key to winning the battle of Yorktown, and the war. But sure, it never distinguished itself...
- SPECIAL THANKS -
The video animations of the Fleur de Lis galley are the work of Bernard HUC.
ZED Production would like to thank him for this brilliant achievement !
Wasa did not sink because the gun ports were too low. Rather, due to the command of the king, an extra deck of cannon was added making it top heavy with insufficient ballast for stability. Even without wind in the sails, the ship threatened to capsize when soldiers ran from one side of the boat to the other.
Most of the Crew of the Vasa survived. I had only capacity for 145 sailors and 300 soldiers not 1000. and oly 30 people died when it sank.
When the British Captains who commandeered a captured French 74 third class ship of the line are saying "Best ship i ever had", then yes, the French constructed the best design.
But most of these ships rarely left the harbour, and inexperienced French crews against pork fed and much more experienced British sailors... well, we know the results. On top of that, the biggest company of the 18th century worldwide was the British Navy, and they quickly adapted to copy the design. The French were "leaders of the naval industry" for a few years only, and they did neither have the crews nor the commanders to win naval superiority in these years.
Understand that this is correct. On top of all this the French did not build their ships to last - using iron as fasteners all over the place. Not a good idea at all. Perhaps there was a lack of access to bronze.
These people are clearly not well versed in age of sail history and it’s surrounded topics. And the more you learn about the strategic ideals nations had the more you realize that no one nation had the best ships or best quality ships. Each nation built their ships with different styles in mind. For example French ships in the 18th century were designed light and long with extra guns on the main batteries. The French had the idea of ships that operated close to ports for refitting, rarely spending long amounts of time at sea. The speed helped them out run blockade fleets. The British on the other hand needed ships the were sturdy and well suited for heavy weather sailing as well as being fast enough to catch the French ships. So British ships tended to be shorter and carry fewer guns on the main battery but have thicker frames as well as frames spaced more tightly together this was not just for battle strength, but mainly for strength to stay at sea for months to years at sea without refits. Thus in British service French ships loved for their sailing quality were equally hated for working themselves apart after just a few months at sea. Which is why many of the best French captured ships were never brought in to service with the RN, not because they were bad ships but because they were lighter built and would work themselves apart and require far more time in dry dock repairing. Not to mention of they did want to bring a French ship into service they wouldn’t just take it as is, they would spend months refitting it into British standards, changing internals, extra hull bracing etc. also they said Temeriare was the first to be build with a modern naval blueprint wtf? They had been using very detailed blueprints since at least as early as the 1690 in France as well as Britain.
This deeper dive was really fascinating
I knew only broader strokes of navel design of the time
Thank you 😊
Nonsense. The French Navy has never distinguished itself.
Wouldnt say that. They fought well... for a nation that has the first priority in land warfare. But no nation with priority to land can top the British, who always had their first priority to sea warfare in these times.
The French successfully contained the British during the US independence war and won the battle of Chesapeake bay, that was key to winning the battle of Yorktown, and the war. But sure, it never distinguished itself...
You're full of shit. America got their independence largely due to the French Navy annihilating the British navy.
Rectification : you are not aware of the episods when the French Navy distinguished itself.