Anatomy of the Ship: The 74-Gun Ship Bellona

The '74' was the classic line-of-battle ship of the late eighteenth century, and Bellona was one of the most important and long lived. Launched in 1760, during the Seven Years War, she belonged to the first truly successful class of British 74-gun ships, a design by Thomas Slade that was built in large numbers over more than twenty years. Bellona herself served with distinction over 54 years, fought in four wars and was not broken up until 1814. The 'Anatomy of the Ship' series aims to provide the finest documentation of individual ships and ship types ever published. What makes the series unique is a complete set of superbly executed line drawings, both the conventional type of plan as well as explanatory views, with fully descriptive keys. These are supported by technical details and a record of the ship's service history.

Customer Reviews:

The backbone of the royal fleet

By Robert Lester - July 20, 2001

The 74 Gun ship was the backbone of the Royal Fleet in the days of sail due to its' firepower and good sailing qualities. The Bellona was famous for the sinking of a French vessel of similar proportions in its' first engagement. The Bellona then went on to serve for 54 years, a considerable service history keeping in mind most ships lasted about 20.The book itself covers (as usual) the history of this vessel and its' type, and has great photos of Models in the National Maritime Museum in the UK. The line drawings are aimed at the scratch builder, so good is it's detail. If you have seen any of Lavery's works you know to expect only the best. The rigging and running rigging is all set out as well, but strangely, no belaying plan, which I would haev expected in a book so detailed. Hard to find and well worth having.

It Depends on what you want

By Dalrymple-smith Terrot - May 3, 2011

I had seen one of the books in the Anatomy of a Ship series before, and I was struck by the beautiful illustrations and the clarity of the presentation. However I did not know which example I had seen and I chose this one, on the Bellona, more or less at random.

Unlike the model makers for whom this book was probably intended, I am currently re-rigging a full sized 37 metre Barquentine and I purchased this book for inspiration on the rigging and handling of square sails. Unfortunately this one on the 74 gun ship is rather light on rig details, though it is strong on construction, armement and interior, but it was impossible to establish which book concentrates most on which aspect.

Fortunately I was able to find lots of alternative books such as "The Young Sea Officers Sheet Anchor" and "Masting & Rigging the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier", so the barquentine will set sail with an authentic rig anyway.

But this book does, after all, provide an... read more

Nice book for modelers for lower prize

By Sonic - October 1, 2012

Awesome book and it comes with plans of the ship, not the belaying plan but is ok.. everybody should have this specially ship modelers. Lot of modelers made a nice model from this book, that is way I buy it in the first place.