Ships and Shipwrecks of the Late Tudor Dynasty

Sound Bite

A dramatic period in the maritime history of England and Europe, in the late Tudor era sailors ventured far from shore for commerce and conquest. Researching the shipwrecks of England, Taylor documents ship names and types, cargoes, weaponry, captains and crew complements, storms, battles, and log entries collected from the period 1547 to 1603 along with previously unpublished narratives and original maps of possible wreck sites.

About the Book

The age of true, harrowing adventure feels a lifetime away. That’s why James D. Taylor Jr.’s Ships and Shipwrecks of the Late Tudor Dynasty is such a remarkable find. This isn't just another history book; it's a portal to a time when setting sail was a gamble against nature, pirates, and rival empires.

Step back into the treacherous maritime world of the late Tudor era (1547–1603), a time when English ships laden with precious spices, Spanish silver, war matériel, and adventurous souls plied the world's oceans. Ships and Shipwrecks of the Late Tudor Dynasty offers an unprecedented collection of logs, data, and first-hand accounts, bringing this perilous age of sail to life.

Drawing on meticulous research from rare and original archival documents, this work provides invaluable data for historians, underwater archaeologists, treasure hunters, and maritime enthusiasts alike.

Inside this comprehensive resource, you will find lost treasure and intrigue plus concrete data:

• Detailed Ship Inventories: The book presents detailed inventories of the Royal Navy at various points in the 16th century, listing ships of the English fleet, detailing their tonnage, and complements of soldiers, mariners, and gunners, even the specific ordnance they carried.
• First-Hand Accounts: Experience the era through captains' logs, including a rare narrative of a 1593 sea battle, the dramatic capture of the treasure-carrack Madre de Dios, and the tragic wrecking of the Delight in 1583.
• A Chronicle of Maritime Life: Explore hundreds of event records for individual ships—from pirate attacks and naval engagements to treacherous storms and mysterious disappearances.

Beyond the data, the book shares narratives and captains' logs that put the reader on deck during moments of high drama.

Authored by a decorated U.S. Navy veteran, this work is an indispensable resource for historians, maritime researchers, and anyone fascinated by the age of sail. As stated in the preface, until now "There was no single source gathering information regarding English Tudor era ships and shipwrecks prior to this book," making it a unique and invaluable addition to any historical library.