French Warships in the Age of Steam 1859-1914

I have wanted to own a copy of FRENCH WARSHIPS IN THE AGE OF STEAM 1859-1914: DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, CAREERS AND FATES for some time, and after some prevarication on my part, I recently took the plunge and bought a copy … and I’m very pleased that I did!

The book 's contents is split up as follows:

• Preface.
• Acknowledgements.
• Structure and Organisation of the Book.
• Definitions and Terminology.
• Technical Characteristics.
• Ships' Histories.
• Deck Levels in a Warship.
• Political, Diplomatic, and Naval Chronology.
• Preamble. The Triumph of Steam, 1818-1959.
• The French Navy as at 1 January 1859.
• Part 1: The Traditional Fleet Updated, 1859-1882.
• Chapter 1. SQUADRON IRONCLADS, 1859-1882.
• Chapter 2. STATION AND COASTAL DEFENCE IRONCLADS, 1859-1882.
• Chapter 3. CRUISERS, 1859-1882.
• Chapter 4. AVISOS, SPECIAL SHIPS, AND GUNBOATS, 1859-1882.
• Chapter 5. TORPEDO BOATS, 1859-1882.
• Chapter 6. TRANSPORTS, 1859-1882.
• Chapter 7. PADDLE STEAMERS AND SAILING VESSELS, 1859-1882.
• Part 2. The Fleets of the Jeune Ecole, 1882-1897.
• Chapter 8. BATTLESHIPS AND COASTAL DEFENCE SHIPS, 1882-1897.
• Chapter 9. CRUISERS, 1882-1897.
• Chapter 10. AVISOS AND GUNBOATS, 1882-1897.
• Chapter 11. TORPEDO BOATS AND SUBMARINES, 1882-1897.
• Chapter 12. TRANSPORTS AND SAILING VESSELS, 1882-1897.
• Part 3. Towards a Modern Battle Fleet, 1897-1914.
• Chapter 13. BATTLESHIPS, 1897-1914.
• Chapter 14. CRUISERS, 1897-1914.
• Chapter 15. TORPEDO BOAT DESTROYERS, 1897-1914.
• Chapter 16. TORPEDO BOATS, 1897-1914.
• Chapter 17. SUBMARINES, 1897-1914.
• Chapter 18. MINOR COMBATANTS AND AUXILIARIES, 1897-1914.
• Appendices.
• Appendix A. French Naval Artillery, 1786-1914.
• Appendix B. French Torpedoes, 1880-1912.
• Appendix C. French Ministers of Marine, 1885-1914.
• Appendix D. Naval Shipbuilding Directorates and Councils, 1859-1914.
• Appendix E. Selected French naval Constructors, 1859-1914.
• Appendix F. French Naval Programmes, 1857-1914.
• Appendix G. French Naval Budgets, 1872-1914.
• Appendix H. French Naval Expenditures, 1858-1914.
• Appendix I. Budget and Programme Symbols.
• Appendix J. French Naval Squadrons.(Escadres) and Division, 1874-1914.
• Sources and Bibliography.
• Index to Named vessels.

This is a truly comprehensive study of the ships of the French Navy during the period from 1859 to 1914, and as such it will no doubt prove to be the 'go to' book for anyone seeking information about that navy for many years to come. It is preceded by FRENCH WARSHIPS IN THE AGE OF SAIL 1662-1786 and FRENCH WARSHIPS IN THE AGE OF SAIL 1786-1861, and if the author plans to research and write a book covering the period from 1914 onwards, I will certainly be buying it!

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FRENCH WARSHIPS IN THE AGE OF STEAM 1859-1914: DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, CAREERS AND FATES was written by Stephen S Roberts and published in 2021 by Seaforth Publishing (ISBN 978 1 5267 4533 0).