Royal Navy Small Craft, 1914-18

Small Craft and More Small Ships & Boats in Action

The First World War at sea as fought by small and specialist craft

Whilst the days of the broadsides of great battle fleets were not quite over, the dawn of the 20th century and the age of the machines brought new aspects to the waging of war, not excluding

within its maritime aspects. Pivotally influential was the widespread employment of submarines; a hidden menace capable of destroying the goliaths of sea whist remaining invisible. This riveting book deals with the Royal Navy's measures to combat German U-Boats. Two featured armed yachts, crewed by gentlemen- Zarefah and Sagitta-were engaged in the Auxillery Patrol on mine-sweeping and anti-submarine activities. Armed Smacks converted from fishing vessels and armed with hidden weapons were embedded within the fishing fleet to lay in wait for their opportunity to strike the enemy. Q Ships, similarly containg hidden weapons were camoflaged merchant vessels designed to lure the submarines into an ambush. Hydrophone trawlers fitted with listening devices searched for the hidden foe. The second work in this Leonaur edition continues this theme as the activities of British mine-sweepers, Mystery Ships and the fast moving Motor Launches are described.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.