Venetian Ships and Shipbuilders of the Renaissance

by Frederic Chapin Lane

Overview

This major study by Frederic Lane tracks the rise and decline of the great shipbuilding industry of Renaissance Venice. Drawing on a wealth of archival sources, Lane presents detailed descriptions of the Venetian arsenal, including the great galleys that doubled as cargo ships and warships; the sixteenth-century round ships, which introduced dramatic innovations in rigging; and the majestic galleons, whose straight lines and greater speed made them ideal for merchantmen, but whose narrowness made them liable to capsize if loaded with artillery. Additional chapters detail the actual process of ship construction, the organization and activity of the craft guilds, and the development and management of the Arsenal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801845147
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	09/01/1992
Series:	Softshell Books
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Frederic C. Lane (1900-1984) was a noted maritime historian of medieval and Renaissance Venice. Among his many books are Venetian Ships and Shipbuilders of the Renaissance and Venice, A Maritime Republic.

Table of Contents

Preface
Illustration
Chapter I. The Galleys
Chapter II. The Round Ships
Chapter III. Some Famous Shipwrights
Chapter IV. The Craft Guilds
Chapter V. The Process of Construction
Chapter VI. The Activity of the Private Shipyards
Chapter VII. Industrial Organization in the Private Shipyards
Chapter VIII. The Growth of the Arsenal
Chapter IX. The Management of the Arsenal
Chapter X. The Arsenalotti
Chapter XI. Industrial Discipline in the Arsenal
Chapter XII. The Timber Supplies
Appendices
Appendix I. Wrights, Measures, and Moneys
Appendix II. Doge Mocenigo's Oration and the Venetian Fleet, 1420-1450
Appendix III. The Ship Lists of 1499
Appendix IV. Freight Rates
Appendix V. The Age of Ships
Appendix VI. The Cost of Ships
Appendix VII. Round Ships Built by the Government
Bibliographical Note
Request from the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

First published in 1934, this outstanding study of shipbuilding in the Venetian republic, when it was at the height of its power and greatness, has never been surpassed or replaced as the definitive work.
—Lloyd's List

Even the technical details of shipbuilding and shipyards are made interesting and the rivalries between boatbuilders add color to the story, paralleling the obsessions and occasional dishonesties of modern yachtsmen in search of a world cup. The book is important in the history of shipbuilding, in the history of labor, and in the story of trade and culture.
—L. R. N. Ashley, Bibliotheque d'Humanisme et Renaissance

From the Publisher

Even the technical details of shipbuilding and shipyards are made interesting and the rivalries between boatbuilders add color to the story, paralleling the obsessions and occasional dishonesties of modern yachtsmen in search of a world cup. The book is important in the history of shipbuilding, in the history of labor, and in the story of trade and culture.

Bibliotheque d'Humanisme et Renaissance - L. R. N. Ashley

First published in 1934, this outstanding study of shipbuilding in the Venetian republic, when it was at the height of its power and greatness, has never been surpassed or replaced as the definitive work.

Lloyd's List

Even the technical details of shipbuilding and shipyards are made interesting and the rivalries between boatbuilders add color to the story, paralleling the obsessions and occasional dishonesties of modern yachtsmen in search of a world cup. The book is important in the history of shipbuilding, in the history of labor, and in the story of trade and culture.

— L. R. N. Ashley

Bibliotheque d'Humanisme et Renaissance