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Loading... ARCHITECTURA NAVALIS MERCATORIAby S:R: Majeft: Naupego Friderico Henr: Chapman, R: Acad: Scient: Svee: Membro.
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The author of "Architectura Navalis" was Fredrik Henrik af Chapman. He was, in his day, an internationally renowned naval architect. The vessels he designed included the Swedish King Gustav III's ship "Amphion", the cabin of which is preserved at the Swedish National Maritime Museum.
In 1765, Chapman took leave of absence from his work as chief naval architect for the Archipelago Fleet based at Sveaborg (off Helsinki) to devote himself for two years to Architectura Navalis Mercatoria, a volume of drawings which, in Chapman's view, exemplified the best and most interesting vessels of the time. The work was published in 1768. Several original copies of the book are in the museum's possession, together with the copper plates originally used to print the illustrations.
The book contains 62 copper engravings depicting vessels and craft from both Sweden and abroad. Some were designed by Chapman himself, but many of them were vessels or types which he had encountered on his travels, or seen around him, and which had attracted his interest. The book covers everything from warships to cargo boats and small fishing craft.
From the very beginning, the publication was intended for an international audience, and the table of contents accompanying the work was available in Swedish, French and English. The scale of each drawing was also shown in Swedish, French and British feet. During the 20th century, new impressions or facsimile editions have been published in Sweden, Britain, Germany and France. Nevertheless, the book remains rare, and anyone wanting to read it may have difficulty in getting to a library which owns a copy. We therefore have particular pleasure in making the book's contents freely available here.
The illustrated part of the book was intended to be followed immediately by a descriptive and explanatory text, but for various reasons there was a delay of seven years before the text was published. When it did appear, it was as one of the chapters in a book entitled "Tractat om Skeppsbyggeriet".
"Tractat om Skeppsbyggeriet" was translated into English in 1820. Although the book was entitled "A Treatise on ship-building: with explanations and demonstrations respecting the Architectura Navalis Mercatoria", the particular chapter containing the explanatory text on Architectura Navalis Mercatoria is missing from the English translation. ( )