Miniature Ships and Mock Naval Battles in the English Landscape

This book details the history of miniature ships from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries, and their use in various locations throughout England. These small ships were often seen on rivers and lakes in a wide variety of parks and gardens as well as private estates, enjoying their heyday during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Some were used for mock naval battles, others were sailed purely for pleasure and some provided a focal point within an estate. Although these vessels were frequently depicted in contemporary pictures, little appears to have been written about them or their use. With a wealth of fascinating images and well-researched observations, Alistair Roach recounts the intriguing story of miniature ships in the English historical landscape.