The Battleships

Before the nuclear bomb, the only weapon that evoked fear and veneration was the battleship. This book unveils the epic saga of power, international politics and one-up-manship that led to the titanic wars of the 20th century. Spanning almost two centuries, from the Battle of Trafalgar to the end of World War II, this book examines the rapid evolution of firepower and battleship design from canvas to steam; timber to steel armour; muzzle loading cannons to 18-inch guns, and beyond to rocket launchers and missiles. As the spearhead of colonial expansion the battleship reigned supreme, but as each new man-of-war came off the slipway, the world became a more dangerous place.