This important new reference work details all those ships and
vessels of the Royal Navy, large and small, which were lost by
accident or enemy action, during the twentieth century, from the
end of the First World War, to the last years of the century. In
all, the fates of over 2,000 ships and small craft are covered,
from aircraft carriers and battleships to motor launches, harbour
tenders and tugs. Those vessels hired or purchased for wartime
service, such as trawlers, paddle steamers and yachts are also
listed. During wartime ships are lost; it is their purpose to go in
harm's way. Hostile gunfire, torpedoes and mines were established
threats throughout the period, while the increasing threat of air
attack and the introduction of weapons employing new technology,
such as influence-triggered mines, homing torpedoes or air-launched
guided weapons added to the risks of operating in a hostile
environment. Ships operating in extremely hazardous conditions,
such as at Dunkirk in 1940 or Singapore in 1942, suffered heavy
losses in brief, concentrated conflicts; but the long continuous
campaigns, such as the Atlantic convoys or the constant need to
sweep for mines also took their toll. Peacetime losses are
dominated by submarine casualties, demonstrating the dangerous
character of that service. To this may be added the hazardous
nature of the sea itself, when ships are lost in heavy weather;
sometimes, human error or plain foolishness may play a part. The
core of the book is taken up by those losses experienced during the
Second World War, but peacetime losses and more recent conflicts
such as the Falklands War of 1982 are included. Arranged
chronologically, every entry notes the outline details of the
vessel, identifies the Commanding Officer, where known, and gives a
full and often harrowing account of the circumstances of the loss
and the number of casualties. The details come from extensive
original research using primary source material wherever possible,
particularly the relevant War Diaries and the collected loss and
damage reports, casualty reports and reports of proceedings, now in
the National Archives. Wartime losses of the Dominions are
included, to ensure completeness. This comprehensive record of
warship losses, from all causes, suffered by the Royal Navy over
the past one hundred years, is the first single-volume work on the
subject and represents a major milestone in naval research and
publishing.
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