"In the eighteenth century, Britain became a great imperial power through war and its ability to maintain a strong navy. There have been many political and military histories of the sailing Navy that look at key battles and personalities, aspects of naval administration and life below decks. This book is the first study of the Navy of the period in a cultural context. It explores the place of the Navy in the formation of the public attitudes to war and peace, nation and empire, race and gender. It aims to help reposition naval history and illustrate its importance for interdisciplinary study. As well as drawing on literary sources, the author uses the vast collections of the national Maritime Museum to focus attention on material that has been little used."--Jacket.