Written during the Napoleonic wars and first published in 1808, this book detailed the rigging of the sailing ships of the day. Originally intended to be a reference for midshipmen in their training, it has stayed in print in one form or another nearly continuously for the last 192 years. 
     The format of the book uses an easily followed layout that has a full-page engraving facing explanatory text. Unique with our version is the addition of material introduced in the American edition of 1858. Although George W. Blunt, the American editor, used both Lever's text and the magnificent engravings as the foundation of his book, he detailed the differences that had crept into rigging practice in the intervening 50 years, particularly in the American Navy. 
   Rather than reprint both volumes with their extensive duplication, we left the original intact, detailing the differences of the Blunt edition page by page as well as including the very useful appendices that Blunt had added to the book. By this process we were able to present everything in the two editions, but separated in a manner that made it particularly easy for a reader.