Eighth Anglo-French Naval Historians Conference
Science and the French and British Navies, 1700-1850
National Maritime Museum, London Monday 30 April to
Thursday 3 May, 2001
The conference is intended to explore the many ways in which
science affected the workings and development of the French
and British navies, and the parts that the navies played in
the advancement of science. There will be a total of
twenty-six papers over the four days, in both French and
English, addressing the seven main themes around which the
conference will be organised. Translations of the abstracts
will be available.
In the main sessions, it is envisaged that 'Ship Technology'
will explore the relationship between science and ship design,
the emergence of naval architecture as a profession, the use
of ship models in ship design, naval ordnance, ship propulsion
and shipbuilding. 'Science and Naval Infrastructure' will look
at ways in which science had an impact on naval
administration, victualling, naval hospitals and medicine.
'Architecture and Buildings' will concentrate on issues such
as fortifications, dock buildings, port development and civil
engineering, administrative buildings and commemorative
architecture. 'Science at Sea' will look at developments in
navigational science, the training of sea officers,
mathematics and the navies, mapping and hydrography.
'Exploration' will address polar and Pacific voyages, looking
at the status of intellectual exploration, the role of science
in these voyages and the relationship between science and
colonisation. 'The Navies and the Intellectual Milieu' will
explore the formal and informal connections between scientific
societies and the navies, scientific collaboration in peace
and war, scientific sailors and sailing scientists.
The first of these highly successful Anglo-French conferences
was held in Rochefort in 1986 and has since alternated between
venues in France and Britain, with the last conference being
held in Brest in 1998. In France, the conferences have been
consistently supported by the Service Historique of the French
Navy, while in Britain, the Society for Nautical Research has
provided both continuity and financial support.
Miss Helen Jones, Research Administrator, National Maritime Museum,
Greenwich, London SE10 9NF, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8312 6716.
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8312 6722. Email: [log in to unmask]
