What technical and institutional changes separate the Anglo-Dutch Wars from the Napoleonic Wars?
Short answerNapoleonic fleets had mature signal systems, planned tactics, larger and tougher ships, and much more destructive gunnery, while the Anglo-Dutch Wars show line-of-battle doctrine still being invented.
NotesThe Anglo-Dutch Wars sit near the beginning of formal line-of-battle tactics, with Blake, Monck, Tromp, and De Ruyter developing methods that later fleets inherited. Commanders often relied on ships following their lead, whereas Napoleonic fleets had signal books, denser command structures, and plans assigning separate columns distinct tasks. Larger later ships could withstand rough weather more reliably, although storms still disrupted operations. Earlier gunnery was slower and less destructive, helping battles continue for days and leaving a greater role for boarding. Nelson sought ways to break a mature tactical system that had become rigid in some respects. Anglo-Dutch fleets could concentrate enormous numbers in one sprawling action, while Napoleonic maritime war dispersed more ships among squadrons and tasks around the world.