This classic work on Naval tactics was published in 1804, the year before Trafalgar put its advice and maxims to the supreme test. The remarkable thing about this book is that its author, the antiquarian and amateur scientist John Clerk 1728-1812 - known as 'Clerk of Eldin' - was not a sailor, but a landlubber Scot from a wealthy family who developed a theoretical interest in Naval strategy and tactics during the American War of Independence. He even went so far as to work through ship movemenmts using cork models on a water tank. When a retired Naval Engineer named Edgar - who had served under Admirals Byng and Boscawen - settled in Clerk's home village of Eldin, the two men became fast friends and Clerk milked Edgar's practical experience of maritime matters for all he was worth. The result was this book the first original treatise on Naval Tactics to be written and published in English although there had been previous books on signalling and translations of foreign works. Clerk's '