Social Reform in the United States Navy, 1798-1862

The interests of most naval historians and of American historians who focus on war and diplomacy are on such topics as strategy, leadership, naval ships and battles. In contrast, this book explores the effort to change the rules, regulations and actions of officers which affected the lives, morale and the retention rates of enlisted men in an effort to build and hold a better quality of native born Americans and the strength and effectiveness of the U.S. Navy.