The Sailing Navy 1775-1854 (U.S. Navy Warship) [Hardcover]

Paul H. Silverstone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2000 | Series: U.S. Navy Warship

This first volume of the U.S. Navy Warship series provides the only complete compilation of American warships from the American Revolution through the Mexican War.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Silverstone is a prolific author of several books on U.S. naval history and also an editor of Warship International, a quarterly journal. These two books are the first in a five- volume chronological series on U.S. warships.

Both references begin with a contents page, a short article on U.S. naval ordnance for the relevant period, an explanation of data, and a list of abbreviations. Aside from this general similarity, the books are organized in differing ways. Civil War Navies is broken down in two parts: "United States Navy Warships" and "Confederate States Navy." Material in The Sailing Navy is organized under "The Continental Navy, 1775-1783," "State Navies, 1775-1783," "The United States Navy, 1797-1854," "United States Revenue Cutter Service," and "Texas Navy." Within the chapters of both volumes there are further subdivisions. Ships in Civil War are generally categorized by propulsion and vessel size, as well as duties; for the most part, ships in Sailing are listed by type. Within these divisions, ships are listed alphabetically by name in a letter-by-letter arrangement (e.g., Emma Henry, Eolus, Fort Donelson). A typical entry has a chart showing the name of the ship, builder, date laid down, date launched, and date commissioned. Entries also also provide information on tonnage, dimensions, machinery, crew complement, armament, and armor. Notes add data such as designer; service record, including engagements; ships captured; and later history.

Each volume also has a short bibliography and an index of ship names. A random survey determined the bibliographies to be current and the indexes accurate. Scattered throughout the two volumes and appropriately placed are many black-and-white illustrations, mostly photographs and paintings, of the ships listed. Many of these illustrations were difficult to locate and represent a significant research effort. There is also a list of ships captured. Sailing has an appendix listing "Royal Navy Losses in North American Waters," and Civil War has an appendix that lists shipbuilders.

There is only one comparable reference to these two volumes. The eight-volume Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (GPO, 1959-80) is arranged alphabetically by ship name and has detailed histories of each ship that are sometimes several pages long. The chronological arrangement of the titles under review makes it easier for users to compare classes of ships from a particular time period, and the chart format and indexes facilitate use. These easy-to-use references will be valuable complements to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and popular items in all military collections. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...an important reference work from a recognized and expert author." -- American Reference Book Annual 2002, Vol. 33

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557508933
• ISBN-13: 978-1557508935
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,216,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Sailing Ships of The Navy, February 8, 2010

By 

Robert J. Mcwaters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sailing Navy, 1775-1854 (The U.S. Navy Warship Series) (Hardcover)

I good reference sours for early navy ships of the US Navy. As a shelf book i prize it highly I am familar with Paul Silvertstone for the naval Photos obtained from him in earlier years.