A very substantial, comprehensive dictionary containing entries on all
the battles fought at sea by British fleets and ships since Anglo-Saxon
times.
This very substantial, comprehensive dictionary contains entries on all
the battles fought at sea by British fleets and ships since Anglo-Saxon
times. Major battles, such as Trafalgar or Jutland, minor actions, often
convoy and frigate actions, troop landings, bombardments and single ship
actions are all covered. Most accounts of British naval power focus on
the big battles and the glorious victories - the picture which emerges
from the rich detail in thisdictionary, however, is of a busy, dispersed
navy, almost constantly engaged in small scale activity - taking prizes
in the eighteenth century, escorting convoys and being attacked by, and
attacking, U-boats in the twentieth century, attacking minor as well as
major enemy ports in all periods. Moreover, the action, which very often
takes place not in proximity to Britain, but on a world stage, is not
always successful and sometimes disastrous. The dictionary covers all
periods comprehensively - medieval, early and late, and early modern as
well as modern - and encompasses "Britain" in all its forms - England,
Scotland, and British colonies including those in North America. It isan
essential reference work for all enthusiasts of maritime history. "A
well organised and detailed compilation, written with confidence and
authority" - Professor Roger Knight, University of Greenwich.
JOHN GRAINGER has published extensively on maritime history, including
books for The Navy Records Society.
