The First Destroyers - Softcover

Lyon, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184560010X ISBN 13: 9781845600105

Publisher: Mercury Books London, 2006

Synopsis

Largely derived from the main series of technical documents of the British Royal Navy and, to a lesser extent, the records of Thornycroft's, a naval construction firm, this book by Lyon (formerly of the National Maritime Museum) describes the developments of the Torpedo Boat Destroyers. Organizing the material by type of destroyer, he combines pictorial presentation of plans with textual description of destroyer development that consists primarily of quotes from other documents. Distributed in the US by International Publishers Marketing. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

Review

"The First Destroyers provides an in-depth history based on original sources of the Torpedo Boat Destroyers of the 1890s - the first ever built. Admiralty documents and plans are used to reveal the history and development of these vessels. Plenty of photos, diagrams and descriptions enhance an excellent coverage." -- Midwest Book Review

Synopsis

The Torpedo Boat Destroyers (TBDs) of the 1890s - the first destroyers - were among the most glamourous naval vessels ever built. With their remarkable speed, their connotations of David and Goliath, and their initial deployment against the Royal Navy's traditional enemy, the French, they caught the public imagination, while the command of one was coveted by all young naval officers. Drawing on Admiralty documents and plans, the author has compiled a brilliant collection of data on the early development of these vessels up to the River class of 1900. He also looks at the German response and the developments in the US, particularly the Bainbridge class with its distinct raised forecastle. With its Superb plans and drawings and entirely original research, this book is essential reference for all naval historians, enthusiast and model makers with an interest in the development of one of the twentieth century's most exciting warships.

Features include: an in-depth text, based on the latest research in original sources, covering the development of the first destroyers; detailed data tables and technical appendices; comprehensive collection of illustrations, including original draughts; a selection of specially commissioned perspective and cutaway drawings; and, a separate set of large scale plans for modelmakers of the turbine destroyers Velox, 1902.

Edition details

• Publisher: Mercury Books London
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184560010X
• ISBN 13: 9781845600105
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128