Navies and The American Revolution 1775 - 1783

Chatham 1996, pp192, 300 illus.;1-86176-017-5; £30.00;

A fascinating, scholarly and very beautiful book, drawing on the the vast collection of prints and drawings at the Maritime Museum. The text covers the naval aspects of the American Revolution and the subsequent actions in the West Indies; the European engagements when France and Spain were drawn in; and finally the Anglo-French struggle in Indian waters.

General aspects - ship construction, the dockyards, naval administration - provide background to the detailed examination of very many actions and engagements, all illustrated with contemporary plans, prints and sketches - 300 in all. The book brings to life in extraordinary detail the mass of "history" crammed into the short span of years 1775 - 1783.

On the basis, the other titles of the Chatham Pictorial Histories and future promised titles, should offer many delights to those with a taste for naval history. PAG