The cruiser evolved from a whole range of powered sailing warships,
emerging in response to the sheer size and cost of larger vessels.
The impact of rapid technological advance during the Victorian era
saw the cruiser quickly assume the familiar forms in which it
fought with distinction through two World Wars. This encyclopedia
is unique in charting the forces that brought about the cruiser's
evolution, as well as providing a country-by-country visual
directory of more than 260 of the most significant examples,
spanning a period of nearly 150 years. From the Alabama of the
American Civil War to the Royal Navy's last conventional cruisers,
the Tigers, all the major ships are included. The book opens with a
history section illustrating the technological development of the
cruiser from 1865 to the present day, together with accounts of
some of the many uses to which the ships were dedicated. The main
part of the book consists of three country-by-country directories,
focusing on pre-World War I, World War I, then World War II and
beyond. Within these directories the author defines each ship's
significance and its relative success or failure under service
conditions. It traces the development from ships with
muzzle-loading broadside armament, through casemates and turrets,
to the age of guided missiles. There are fascinating quotes from
military leaders, plus a detailed glossary explaining key military
terms and abbreviations. Specification boxes provide at-a-glance
information about each cruiser's most important features: the
builders, date of commissioning, displacement, length, beam,
draught, armament, machinery, power, endurance, protection and crew
numbers. With its huge volume of information and its unique
collection of more than 500 archive photographs, this book provides
both enthusiasts and historians with everything they need to know
about the cruiser through its history. As well as being an
essential reference work, it is also an exciting read for anyone
interested in these great vessels. An illustrated history of
cruisers, including Naniwa, Pennsylvania, Blu cher, Vindictive,
Belfast, California and many more.
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