From Monitor to Missile Boat: Coast Defence Ships and Coastal Defence Since 1860

This history of world-wide coastal defense since 1860 concentrates on classic gun-armed coast defense ships of the type that had its roots in the Civil War Monitor , and whose production ceased shortly before the second World War. The author also describes more recent forms of coastal defense, such as the missile boat and new high-tech forms of fixed defenses. He provides specifications and b&w photos and line drawings of the vessels he discusses. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.