Found at Sea: Mapping Ships on the Eighteenth-Century Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

"Found at Sea" is a historical study centered on the Atlantic Ocean. This dissertation employs ships' logbooks in combination with a GIS mapping methodology to address the ocean, itself, as a site for historical developments. Eighteenth-century mariners sailed the ocean in more varied ways than historians have previously described. This dissertation demonstrates that the Atlantic Ocean of the late eighteenth century was a highly-populated, very social, international space. It was normal for a ship to see another ship about half of the days while it was at sea. During peacetime these sightings could lead to friendly exchanges of news, food, and even spare parts in case of emergency. During wartime, shipping patterns adjusted to reflect new trading alliances and the threat of enemy vessels.