O'BRYEN, Christopher.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Naval Evolutions: or, a System of Sea-Discipline; extracted from the Celebrated Treatise of P. L'Hoste... Adapted to the Use of the British Navy... First edition of O'Bryen's partial translation of Paul Hoste's important L'art des armées navales (1697), "the first major work on naval tactics", which exercised a profound influence (Tunstall p. 59). Signed on the front pastedown endpaper "Sir H. Popham"; Popham's (1762-1820) invention of a telegraphic code was used and greatly admired by Nelson in the West Indies and at Trafalgar."In navigation, combined operations, and hydrography, as in his more spectacular exploits, [Popham's] intelligence, curiosity, and enthusiasm - always at the service of the navy and his country - shine throughout his life. He was perhaps 'plausible', and certainly unconventional and controversial, yet he was a brilliant empiricist, a fine seaman, and a just and enlightened captain" (ODNB).Hoste's system depended on the five "ordres de marches", orders of sailing that provided the method to form the close-hauled line that Hoste deemed essential to success, and which retained their primacy in the French navy throughout the age of sail. Among his more practically lasting innovations was the detailed theoretical exposition of the tactic of breaking the enemy's line, "a manoeuvre he felt was much used in the Anglo-Dutch War" (Tunstall, p. 62) - and used daringly by Nelson with such brilliant effect.O'Bryen's work was much needed and was intended to serve as

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