A Complete History of the Most Remarkable Transactions at Sea, from the Earliest Accounts of Time to the Conclusions of the Last War with France

Title

A Complete History of the Most Remarkable Transactions at Sea, from the Earliest Accounts of Time to the Conclusions of the Last War with France

Description

Five books on naval history, compiled into one volume. Volume I "Containing a gerneral Account of those People who have flourished at Sea in all Ages.". Volume II "Containing an account of the most remarkable Naval Transactions throughout the World, from the Expedition of the Argonauts to the Dissolution of the Roman Empire by the Irruptions of the barbarous Nations.". Volume III "Containing an Account of the most remarkable Naval Transations of all Nations that, since the Ruin of the Roman Empire, habe been considerable at Sea and, amont them, of the English downn to the Revolution in the Year 1688.". Volume IV "Containing an Account of the Naval Transactions of the English, from the Revolution in 1688, to the Peace of Ryswick, in the Year 1697.". Volume IV: "Containing an Account of the Naval Transactions of the English, from the Year 1698, to the Year 1712.". A total of 800 pages, including a foreword, an index, and numerous vignettes at the beginning and end. Also included are a title page and a text title page in red and black lettering, as well as 8 folding maps by Moll (2 of the Mediterranean, 1/2 of the world, South-East Asia, the West Indies (Caribbean), the Baltic Sea, Great Britain, the Atlantic coast from Dover to Gibraltar, and the English Channel). Engraved by J. Walthoe and J. Walthoe Junior.

c. 1720

Artist

Burchett (ca. 1665-1746)

Josiah Burchett (c. 1665–1746) was an English naval administrator and writer. He worked for many years for the British Admiralty and eventually became Secretary of the Admiralty, an important position in the administration of the Royal Navy. Burchett was closely familiar with the maritime affairs of his time and, in 1720, published his well-known work on naval history, in which he described the most important sea battles and developments of the British navy. He is considered an important source for the history of seafaring in the early 18th century.

Historical Description

Around the year 1720, seafaring was a central element of trade, warfare, and power politics. The great voyages of discovery were already behind Europe, but the focus had shifted to controlling and economically exploiting the known sea routes. Major powers such as Great Britain, France, and Spain dominated the world’s oceans and conducted extensive trade with their colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Trading companies like the British East India Company transported valuable goods such as spices, tea, and textiles over long distances. At the same time, seafaring was closely linked to military conflicts. After the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, rivalry among European powers continued, and large warships protected trade routes or attacked enemy fleets. During this period, piracy also reached its peak, especially in the Caribbean. Navigation remained imprecise and often dangerous. Although instruments such as the compass and sextant were available, determining longitude in particular was still very difficult. Overall, seafaring at that time was a combination of economic expansion, military power, and significant risk. It formed the foundation of growing global trade, while at the same time being marked by uncertainty and danger.