I just had a dip into this and found some very interesting points, especially on the attempt to reduce crew to a minimum by the development of easy to use equipment. Also the way in which timber availability effected the constructional methods, and avoidance of wastage. it will certainly influence my play with Merchantmen in the future. Most ships obviously ran on what we would call a skeleton crew. No wonder they got into difficulties if a Man of War's Captain impressed his 10%.

We could really do with a similar work for warships.
Thanks for posting this Airbourne.
Rob.