Obviously people didn't have D-Dayesque landing craft in the 18th and 19th centuries, so how would a force attacking from the sea come ashore? In lots of small boats? How many of these boats would a typical ship carry/tow/whatever? In a similar vein, how were large numbers of troops transported across large distances? Aboard ships of the line or on separate transport vessels or what? Did 'transport ships' follow a main fleet closely but skedaddle away when enemy sails appeared, or were they well-armed enough to take part in naval action?
How much did the appearance of steamships alter these methods of troop transportation and landing?
Is there anything else I should look into to try and give a realistic representation of a late-Age of Sail amphibious assault?
Thanks.
You are quote correct. In the age of sail amphibious landings would be undertaken by using a ships boat. I cannot give you exact numbers for how many your typical ship of the day had. If the ship was under sail, they would be stored on or below deck. If in port, they would be stored over side, and if nearing battle, towed behind to protect them. I am not sure about how all countries operated, but I can only assume that it would be similar to the way of the United Kingdom - that is, the Royal Marines would be a standard contingent on any military ship, no matter it's class. In the case of an invasion the armada would usually blockade the targeted port and barrage it, before loading the marines on the smaller rowing boats, some of which outfitted with a single, smooth bore cannon to act as gunboats, and proceed to their target. The small boats came in many sizes and I cannot be sure how many men fit inside. With the age of steam, some of these small boats, such as the Pinnance, could be fitted with steam propulsion.
Sources: I'll need to edit these in shortly, as i'm afraid I won't be have acsess to a computer for a little while.