Overview

The Torpedo Boat Destroyers (TBDs) of the 1890s - the first destroyers - were among the most glamourous naval vessels ever built. With their remarkable speed, their connotations of David and Goliath, and their initial deployment against the Royal Navy's traditional enemy, the French, they caught the public imagination, while the command of one was coveted by all young naval officers. Drawing on Admiralty documents and plans, the author has compiled a brilliant collection of data on the early development of these vessels up to the River class of 1900. He also looks at the German response and the developments in the US, particularly the Bainbridge class with its distinct raised forecastle. With its Superb plans and drawings and entirely original research, this book is essential reference for all naval historians, enthusiast and model makers with an interest in the development of one of the twentieth century's most exciting warships. Features include: an in-depth text, based on the latest research in original sources, covering the development of the first destroyers; detailed data tables and technical appendices; comprehensive collection of illustrations, including original draughts; a selection of specially commissioned perspective and cutaway drawings; and, a separate set of large scale plans for modelmakers of the turbine destroyers Velox, 1902.

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9781845600105

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'With its superb plans and drawings and entirely original research, this book is essential reference for all naval historians, ethusiast and model makers with an interest in the development of one of the twentieth century's most exciting warships.' -- Joint Forces Journal

Author Information

David Lyon has spent his working life at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, where for over twenty years he looked after the huge ships' plans collection before becoming Curator of Naval Ordnance, then Head of Enquiries and finally Chief of Research of the Maritime Information Centre. He served in the Royal Naval Reserve and having qualified as a diving officer was instrumental in the development of underwater archaeology in Britain, diving on the Mary Rose amongst others. He is a member of the Council of the Society for Nautical Research and of the Nautical Museums Trust. He has written and lectured extensively both in Britain and abroad and his many publications include The Sailing Navy List, The Denny List, Steam, Steel and Torpedoes, and Sea Battles in Close-up: The Nelson Era. He has first-hand experience of all manner of craft and now shares with his wife a double-ended yole which they sail in the Thames estuary.

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