Naval Chronicle: Volume 19, January–July 1808

The Naval Chronicle, published in 40 volumes between 1799 and 1818, is a key source for British maritime and military history. This reissue is the first complete printed reproduction of what was the most influential maritime publication of its day. The subjects covered range from accounts of battles and lists of ships to notices of promotions and marriages, courts martial and deaths, and biographies, poetry and letters. Each volume also contains engravings and charts relating to naval engagements and important harbours around the world. Volume 19 (1808) contains reports of the capture of Madeira and of Danish possessions in the West Indies. Napoleon's removal of the Spanish royal family gave hope that Spain would become a British ally. Other items include a report on the successful trials of the first commercial steamboat in New York, advice on learning to swim, and excerpts from poems by Sir Walter Scott.