Library Results | Royal Museums Greenwich

Records of warship construction 1939-1945 : the history of DNC Department Great Britain. Ministry of Defence (Navy) 1984 • RARE-FOLIO • 3 copies available. 094:623.82(42)"1939/1945"

Murder on the high seas / Martin Baggoley. "Great Britain has for many centuries been one of the world's great sea-faring nations. The Royal Navy has defended her territory and the merchant fleet has been instrumental in creating the nation's wealth. The courage, industry and exploits of many of her sailors and the names of the ships in which they served have become legends. However, the sea has also provided the backdrop to great crimes and for Murder on the High Seas, the author has selected murders that have been committed in many parts of the globe over a period of more than one hundred years. The motives behind these crimes have included revenge, lust, greed and survival. Nevertheless, they share one common feature as all of those accused of responsibility were brought back to Great Britain to stand trial. Among these fascinating accounts is a description of the trial of the survivors of a shipwreck who killed and fed on a shipmate. Also included is the murder by slavers of several Royal Navy seamen who were part of the West Africa Squadron, formed to put an end to the slave trade of the South Atlantic."--Provided by the publisher. 2014. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 629.12.07

On seas contested : the seven great navies of the Second World War /edited by Vincent P. O'Hara, W. David Dickson, and Richard Worth. A team of naval historians have pooled their expertise for this definitive single volume reference on how the major navies of World War II were organised and how they trained, operated, and fought. They provide a point-by-point evaluation on the inner workings of the navies of the US, the UK, the British Commonwealth, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, and the Soviet Union. 2010. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.545.9"1939/1945"

The pre-Dreadnought revolution : developing the bulwarks of sea power /Warren Berry. "The late nineteenth century saw an unparalleled revolution in warship development as the Victorian Navy found itself grappling with intense technical change to ensure its survival in the modern theatre. From the wooden battleships of the 1800s, naval architecture underwent great change to produce a very different form of capital ship, which would have a huge impact and change naval design forever. The pre-Dreadnought was constructed of steel, wholly driven by steam power and carried its rifled ordnance in armoured turrets operated by hydraulics. Electrics, mechanical computers, mines and torpedo weapons were also utilised to create an immensely powerful fighting ship the likes of which had never been seen before. This well-illustrated and fascinating history reveals the process involved in that most rapid development, which in such a short time totally altered the naval forces of Britain and ensured that the British Navy remained the most powerful in the world."--Provided by the publisher. 2013 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 629.12(42)"18"

Historic ships : the survivors /Paul Brown. "When we think of our seagoing past, it tends to be about the harbours, docks, and quaysides through which trade passed, or the famous ships such as the Grand Fleet of the Royal Navy, and the great liners that graced the oceans up to the end of the twentieth century. However, our story is expressed as much in the smaller vessels that plied our coasts and rivers as it is through ships such as HMS Victory or SS Great Britain. Most of these smaller vessels are listed in the National Register of Historic Ships and many can be visited or sailed on today. Paul Brown has taken the story of the smaller vessels, which comprise over 90 per cent of the vessels on the register and the accompanying National Archive and Overseas Watch List held by National Historic Ships, and, through this book, paints a picture of the variety and richness of these survivors. The vessels in this book cover all the activities of a thriving maritime society, from workaday ships such as tugs, cargo, fishing and service vessels, through the smaller but vital naval vessels of the Royal Navy and exquisite, elegant steam yachts, to pleasure boats carrying thousands of passengers around our coasts and on our lakes, lochs, canals and rivers."--Provided by the publisher. 2010. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 629.123(42)

The sailors behind the medals : Waging war at sea 1939 - 1945 /Chris Bilham "The story of the Royal Navy in the Second World War is an epic, consisting both of dramatic battles such as the River Plate and Matapan, and drawn-out campaigns such as the escort of convoys to Malta and northern Russia. The author examines the careers of twenty-three sailors who took part in these actions which resulted in the award of their medals. He illustrates a cross-section of the war-time Navy long-service regulars, volunteers, recalled veterans of the Great War, Hostilities Only ratings. They served in nearly every kind of warship and in all the main theatres of the war and their individual acts of gallantry under extreme conditions make for inspiring reading. The author also examines the medals that were awarded for gallantry."--Provided by the publisher. 2017 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 355.134.2(42)

Black salt : seafarers of African descent on British ships /by Ray Costello. "In this fascinating work, Ray Costello examines the work and experience of seamen of African descent in Britain's navy, from impressed slaves to free Africans, British West Indians, and British-born black sailors. Seamen from the Caribbean and directly from Africa have contributed to both the British Royal Navy and Merchant Marine from the Tudor period and by the end of the period of the British slave trade at least three percent of all crewmen were black mariners, and their experiences run the gamut of sorrow and tragedy, heroism, victory, and triumph. This is an important look at a neglected area of study, filled with many powerful, previously untold stories."--From Amazon. 2012. • BOOK • 2 copies available. 656.61.071.22(=96)(42)

Italian destroyers of World War II / Mark Stille ; illustrated by Paul Wright. "The Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marine or RM) began the Second World War with one of the largest fleets in the world. Included in it was a total of 59 fleet destroyers, with others added during the war. These were a diverse collection of ships dating back to the First World War with large destroyers built to counter ships of similar size introduced in the French Navy (the RM's historical enemy), and medium-sized ships which constituted the bulk of the destroyer force. RM destroyers were built for high speed, not endurance, since they were only expected to operate inside the Mediterranean. They were also well-armed, but lacked radar. During the war, RM destroyers fought well. With the exception of a small force based in Abyssinia which fought a series of battles in the Red Sea against the British, RM destroyers were active in the Mediterranean. The primary mission of the RM during the war was to keep the supply lines to North Africa open. The Italians were largely successful in this effort, and destroyers were key. RM destroyers were present at every fleet action with the British Mediterranean Fleet. The intensity of these actions is reflected by the fact that the RM lost 51 destroyers during the war."--Provided by the publisher. 2021. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 623.82540945

Seaforth world naval review 2013 / editor, Conrad Waters. 2012 • BOOK • 2 copies available. 355.353"2013"

Bismarck and Hood : the battle of the Denmark Strait :a technical analysis for a new perspective /Marco Santarini "The legendary Battle of the Denmark Strait, which saw the mighty German battleship Bismarck sink Britain's HMS Hood in an epic duel of the titans, has been dogged by controversy to this day. Was the doomed HMS Hood really sunk by a shell that penetrated her decks to explode in one of her magazine compartments? Others believe that Bismarck's fortunate shell detonated in Hood's cordite supply - the powder that propelled 1,920-lbs some staggering 30,180 yards - suggesting that damage examined on the wreck indicates a more distinct explosion. Or was the Hood's destructive and violent demise a new, and until now, unexplained act of war? The sinking of HMS Hood on Empire Day, 24 May 1941, resulted in the single largest loss of life for the Royal Navy during the Second World War: 1,415 lives were lost. There were absolutely no traces of any crewmen save three survivors. 'Bismarck and Hood: The Battle of the Denmark Strait - A Technical Analysis' is an innovative and potentially controversial study of this infamous battle. The author, a rear admiral in the Italian Navy, is an expert in gunnery and his book, a work of over two decades of study, further investigates this battle in an attempt to attain a more credible explanation. The events and tactics leading up to the battle are explained within their various contexts and a cinematic and ballistic model of the battle was developed, essential for a statistical analysis of Hood's sinking. Certainly, no one will ever be able to confirm what exactly happened in the Denmark Strait on that fateful day, but this rigorous book disposes of myths and falsehoods and paves the way for a more realistic interpretation of this iconic battle between HMS Hood and Bismarck."--Provided by the publisher. 2013 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 355.49"1941"(42:43)

America's U-boats : terror trophies of World War I /Chris Dubbs. The submarine was one of the most revolutionary weapons of World War I, inciting both terror and fascination for militaries and civilians alike. During the war, after U-boats sank the Lusitania and began daring attacks on shipping vessles off the East Coast, the American press dubbed these weapons "Hun Devil Boats," "Sea Thugs," and "Baby Killers." But at the conflict's conclusion, the U.S. Navy acquired six U-boats to study and to serve as war souvenirs. Until their destruction under armistice terms in 1921, these six U-boats served as U.S. Navy ships, manned by American crews. The ships visited eighty American cities to promote the sale of victory bonds and to recruit sailors, allowing hundreds of thouands of Americans to see up close the weapon that had so captured the public's imagination. In America's U-Boasts, Chris Dubbs examines the legacy of submarine warfare in the American imagination. Combining nautical adventure, military history, and underwater archaeology, Dubbs shares the previously untold story of German submarines and their impact on American culture and reveals their legacy and Americans' attitudes toward this new wonder weapon. -- Front jacket flap. [2014]. • BOOK • 2 copies available. 623.827(73)"1914/1918"

Captain Cook and the Pacific : art, exploration & empire /John McAleer and Nigel Rigby. "British Royal Navy Captain James Cook's voyages of exploration across and around the Pacific Ocean were a marvel of maritime achievement, and provided the first accurate map of the Pacific. The expeditions answered key scientific, economic, and geographic questions, and inspired some of the most influential images of the Pacific made by Europeans. Now readers can immerse themselves in the adventure through the collections of London's National Maritime Museum, which illuminate every aspect of the voyages: oil paintings of lush landscapes, scientific and navigational instruments, ship plans, globes, charts and maps, rare books and manuscripts, coins and medals, ethnographic material, and personal effects. Each artifact holds a story that sheds light on Captain Cook, the crews he commanded, and the effort's impact on world history. Showcasing one of the richest resources of Cook-related material in the world, this publication invites readers to engage with the extraordinary voyages-manifested in material culture-and their continuing significance today."--Provided by the publisher. 2017. • BOOK • 2 copies available. 910.4(93/96)"1768/1780"

The last British battleship / R.A. Burt. "The ninth HMS Vanguard, bearing one of the most illustrious names in the Royal Navy with honours from the Armada to Jutland, was the last and largest of Britain's battleships and was commissioned in 1946. Her design evolved from of the King George V class and incorporated much of the fully developed design for the two battleships, Lion and Temeraire, that were laid down in 1939 but never completed. At 813ft length overall and 42,300 tons, she was the last battleship to be built in the world and the only ship of her class. She was built during the Second World War and incorporated existing twin 15in mountings, and was part of the Royal Navy's response to the combined and increasing number of German and Japanese battleships in the early 1940s. She was immediately recognisable by her transom stern and high flared bow and had fine sea keeping ability. Her appearance after the end of hostilities, however, and her huge crew requirements proved a conundrum for the Royal Navy, her most significant role being that of Royal Yacht during the royal family's tour of South Africa in 1947. She was broken up at Faslane in 1960. In this new book by R A Burt her design, construction and career are all covered. Armour, machinery, power plants and weaponry are examined in detail and the author has produced some 35 superb plans, profiles and other line drawings for which he is renowned. The text is further enhanced by the addition of some 80 colour and black and white photographs from his collection. His earlier three volumes are regarded as definitive works on the subject of British battleships before 1945; with this new book he finally completes the story of the Dreadnought era, bringing to life the last of a magnificent type of vessel of which the world will not see again."--Provided by the publisher. 2019. • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 623.82VANGUARD

Heroes of Coastal Command : 1939-1945 /Andrew D. Bird. "In Heroes of Coastal Command, Andrew Bird examines the maritime war between 1939 and 1945, interweaving accounts of events of the period with personal stories of individuals caught up in them. Through interviews, letters, diaries and reports, all combined with his own research, the author looks afresh at the maritime conflict, reassessing long-held views of the Cinderella Service's defensive and offensive capabilities through the eyes of ordinary individuals battling for survival above the oceans against flak gun, enemy aircraft and weather as the stakes rose higher and the number of casualties become catastrophic. Heroes of Coastal Command makes the reader think again about the RAF's maritime arm, Coastal Command, which was established in 1936. Throughout the war, its crews worked tirelessly alongside the Royal Navy to keep Britain's vital sea lanes open. Together, they fought and won the Battle of the Atlantic, with RAF aircraft destroying 212 German U-Boats and sinking a significant tonnage of enemy warships and merchant vessels. Often working alone and unsupported, undertaking long patrols out over opens seas, Coastal Command bred a special kind of airman. This includes individuals such Lloyd Trigg, who was awarded the Victoria Cross; Roger Moorwood, a Blenheim pilot who flew in the Battle of France; Jack Davenport, who flew his Hampden; John Watson, the sole survivor of a Short Sunderland which was lost during a rescue mission; Maurice Guedj, a Frenchman who escaped from Morocco to join the Free French Air Force; Sam McHardy, who for a short while became a Coastal Command ground coordinator posted aboard a Royal Navy destroyer for a raid on Norway; and Ken Gatward, who flew a unique daylight mission over Paris to drop a Tricolore on the Arc de Triomphe. These are just some of the fabulous stories, full of daring and breath-taking courage, and individuals explored in this book."--Provided by the publisher. 2018. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.544.9(42)

The proceedings at large of the court-martial on the trial of the Honourable Augustus Keppel, Admiral of the Blue, held on board HMS Britannia, on Thursday 7th January 1779 Great Britain. Royal Navy. Court-martial, Keppel : 1779 1779 • RARE-BOOK • 3 copies available. 92Keppel

Letters and papers relating to the First Dutch War 1652-1654 : volume 6 1930 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 355.49"1652/1654"

Ships : battleships, cruisers, destroyers, LSTs etc Roberts, Michael L 1997 • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 355.146(73)

The philosophy and conduct of maritime war part 1 1815-1918 Waters, D W 1958 • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 355.49"1815/1918"

Warspite Ballantyne, Iain 2001 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 623.827(42)

Letters and papers relating to the first Dutch War 1652-1654 / Gardiner, Samuel Rawson. 1899. 1899 • BOOK • 7 copies available. 355.49"1652/1654"(42:492)

The cross of sacrifice / [S.D. & D.B. Jarvis]. Jarvis, S. D. 1993-1996]. • FOLIO • 5 copies available. 940.467

Very special ships : Abdiel class fast minelayers of World War Two /Arthur Nicholson. "Very Special Ships is the first full-length book about the six Abdiel-class fast minelayers, the fastest and most versatile ships to serve in the Royal Navy in the Second World War. They operated not only as offensive minelayers - dashing into enemy waters under cover of darkness - but in many other roles, most famously as blockade runners to Malta. In lieu of mines, they transported items as diverse as ammunition, condensed milk, gold, and VIPs. Distinguished by their three funnels, the Abdiels were attractive, well-designed ships, and they were also unique - no other navy had such ships, and so they were sought-after commands and blessed with fine captains. To give the fullest picture of this important class of ships, the book details the origins and history of mines, minelayers, and minelaying; covers the origins and design of the class; describes the construction of each of the six ships, and the modified design of the last two; tells in detail of the operational careers of the ships in the second World War, when they played vital roles in the battle of Crete and the siege of Malta, plied the hazardous route to Tobruk, and laid mines off the Italian coast. The post-war careers of the surviving ships is also documented. Written to appeal to naval enthusiasts, students of World War II and modelmakers, the author tells the story of these ships through first-hand accounts, official sources, and specially- commissioned drawings and photographs."--Provided by the publisher. 2015. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 623.829.2(42)"1939/1945"

Flota spod bia±o-czerwonej / Jan Piwowonski ; ilustrowa± Adam Werka. "Description of the Polish Merchant and military Navy from the interwar period to the present day. It contains illustrations by Adam Werka - one of the best marine illustrators, who recorded almost the entire maritime history in his paintings and drawings."--Provided by the publisher (translated from Polish). 1989. • BOOK • 1 copy available. txt

Report of the Committee on Naval Boilers : vol 4: report on trials of HMS Hermes Great Britain. Parliament 1904 • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 621.18

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