Line-of-battle adoption Ship of the line

the cannon shot, 1707, willem van de velde younger depicts 18th-century dutch man-of-war.

king erik xiv of sweden initiated construction of ship mars in 1563; might have been first attempt of battle tactic, 50 years ahead of widespread adoption of line of battle strategy. mars largest ship in world @ time of build, equipped 107 guns @ full length of 96 meters. ironically became first ship sunk gunfire other ships in naval battle.

in mid-17th century, several navies, particularly of netherlands , england, began use new fighting techniques. battles had been fought great fleets of ships closing each other , fighting in whatever arrangement found in, boarding enemy vessels opportunities presented themselves. use of broadsides (coordinated fire battery of cannon on 1 side of warship) became increasingly dominant in battle, tactics changed. evolving line-of-battle tactic, first used in ad-hoc way, required ships form single-file lines , close enemy fleet on same tack, battering enemy fleet until 1 side had had enough , retreated. manoeuvres carried out ships remaining in line mutual protection.

in order order of battle, long thin line of guns, may not injured or broken @ point weaker rest, there @ same time felt necessity of putting in ships which, if not of equal force, have @ least equally strong sides. logically follows, @ same moment in line ahead became definitively order battle, there established distinction between ships of line , alone destined place therein, , lighter ships meant other uses.

the lighter ships used various functions, including acting scouts, , relaying signals between flagship , rest of fleet. necessary because flagship, small part of line in clear sight.

the adoption of line-of-battle tactics had consequences ship design. height advantage given castles fore , aft reduced, hand-to-hand combat less essential. need manoeuvre in battle made top weight of castles more of disadvantage. shrank, making ship of line lighter , more manoeuvrable forebears same combat power. added consequence, hull grew larger, allowing size , number of guns increase well.