Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants [Hardcover]

K. Jack Bauer (Author), Stephen S. Roberts (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313262020 | ISBN-13: 978-0313262029 | Publication Date: November 30, 1991

This authoritative register brings together a wealth of detailed historical and technical information about all the major combat ships in the U. S. Navy--from the sail frigates of the Revolution to today's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, from the ships of George Washington to the fleet that fought Operation Desert Storm. Conceived and developed by K. Jack Bauer before his death, and extended and brought up-to-date by Stephen S. Roberts, this reference guide is designed for the general student of American naval history, for military historians, for navy/ship buffs, and indeed for all who thirst for interesting information about American ships over the last 300 years. The volume contains tables, notes, sixty-eight photographs, a list of ship and engine builders, and indexes to the hull numbers and names of all ships included in the volume. The register provides a brief introduction and then covers the Sail Navy (1775-1853), the Old Steam Navy (1814-1876), and the New Navy (1883 to present). Ships are arranged by type and then chronologically by date of authorization. The entry for each class begins with a listing of the key technical specifications, including important changes in armament. Next comes a table listing all the ships in the class with their builders and construction dates, and final disposition. The entry concludes with notes containing other essential information, including reconstructions, renamings, and reclassifications. In many cases these notes also indicate why the ships were built and point to the significance of their designs. Merchant ships acquired for service as major combatants are also described in an abbreviated format.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

K. JACK BAUER was a noted historian, long associated with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

STEPHEN S. ROBERTS received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Chicago in 1976 and is currently a naval historian.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (November 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313262020
• ISBN-13: 978-0313262029
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent research., November 1, 2001

By 

Christopher P. Cavas (Bethesda, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants (Hardcover)

Steve Roberts has built on the earlier work of Jack Bauer to put together one of the most accurate lists published of ships of the U.S. Navy. Meticulously researched through primary Navy records, the book corrects dozens of earlier errors of names, dates and details and provides comments on nearly every type of combatant vessel built for the USN. This is NOT a coffee-table book full of pretty pictures; rather, it is stuffed with details that are quite useful for anyone needing reliable information.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative Reference, February 1, 2008

By 

Terry Miller "a tin can sailor" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants (Hardcover)

There are many reference guides available for those involved in the history of U.S. Navy ships but the Bauer & Roberts Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990 is the most authoritive single volume available. As a naval historian I have and use them all but this is the one I reach for first and the one I most rely on for details of the construction and outfitting of the navy's warships. It is an essential element of naval vessel history and despite the relatively high price the book is worth more than it costs in research time saved. We literally wore out the first book from heavy use and had to buy a second copy.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible!!!!, January 3, 2007

By 

Hipster "Hipster" (Virginia Beach) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants (Hardcover)

Do not waste your money on this book! I was very shocked when I opening the book and discovered there was very littleillustration. Also, the text was very hard to read. It literally is just a bunch of small text thrown together with no thought to organizing it in a readable manner. Incredibly sad for the price I paid for it!!! Very disappointed. I should have just looked up the information and printed it out from the web and crammed it in a binder. The publisher evidently didn't want to put any thought whatsoever into this publication!!