The Progress of Maritime Discovery
From the Earliest Period to the Close of the Eighteenth Century, Forming an Extensive System of Hydrography

A study of the navigational methods and naval history of early societies until 1498, first published in 1803.

James Stanier Clarke (Author)

9781108023856, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 December 2010

1042 pages, 13 b/w illus. 5 maps
29.7 x 21 x 5.2 cm, 2.4 kg

James Stanier Clarke (c.1766–1834) was a chaplain and naval author. An associate of the Prince of Wales, Clarke was a naval chaplain before being appointed chaplain at Carlton House. He is best remembered for founding the Naval Chronicle with his colleague John McArthur, and published various scholarly works concerning the British Navy. This volume, first published in 1803, contains Clarke's study of early navigational methods and naval history. Originally conceived as the first volume of a multi-volume work encompassing the development of maritime technology until the eighteenth century, this volume focuses on early navigational methods and discoveries in antiquity and the Medieval periods until 1498. Arranged chronologically according to civilisation or country, Clarke describes in detail the navigational methods and naval discoveries of early societies. This volume provides an example of the interest in naval history following the British Navy's successes during the early French Revolutionary Wars.

Preface
Introduction. Historical Memoir of Ancient Maritime Discoveries: 1. Review of the earliest periods
2. Review of sacred periods
3. Review of Grecian periods
4. Carthaginian and Roman periods
Book I: 1. Illustrations of commercial history preceding the fifteenth century
2. Portuguese history preceding the fifteenth century
Book II. Portuguese Voyages: 1. Ferdinand
2. Progress of discovery traced from Cape Verga to Cape Catharine
3.1. Brief survey of Indian history
3.2. Reign of Emmanuel
Appendix: 1. Galvano's memoir on the progress of maritime discovery
2. The celebrated Mr. Locke's memoir on the history of navigation
3. Explanatory catalogue of voyages, and scarce geographical works, by Mr. Locke
4. Dr. Robertson's observations on the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope
5. Voyages of two Mohammedans in the Indian Ocean, during the ninth century
6. Correspondence.

Subject Areas: General & world history [HBG]