British Gunboats of Victoria's Empire

Angus Konstam, Mr Paul Wright

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Paperback

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English

Osprey
31 May 2022

History; Naval forces & warfare; Military & naval ships; Ship design & naval architecture

Series: New Vanguard

A beautifully illustrated history of the iconic ocean-going gunboats of British 'gunboat diplomacy', the hundreds of little warships that for 50 years demonstrated the power of the Royal Navy worldwide, and which maintained and enforced the rule of the British Empire at its peak.

In recent years the phrase 'gunboat diplomacy' has been used to describe the crude use of naval power to bully or coerce a weaker nation. During the reign of Queen Victoria, 'gunboat diplomacy' was viewed very differently. It was the use of a very limited naval force to encourage global stability and to protect British overseas trade. This very subtle use of naval power was a vital cornerstone of the Pax Britannica. Between the Crimean War (1854–56) and 1904, when the gunboat era came to an abrupt end, the Royal Navy’s ocean-going gunboats underpinned Britain’s position as a global power and fulfilled the country’s role as a 'global policeman'.

Created during the Crimean War, these gunboats first saw action in China. However, they were also used to hunt down pirates in the coasts and rivers of Borneo and Malaya, to quell insurrections and revolts in the Caribbean or hunt slavers off the African coast. The first gunboats were designed for service in the Crimean War, but during the 1860s a new generation of ships began entering service – vessels designed specifically to fulfill this global policing role. Better-designed gunboats followed, but by the 1880s, the need for them was waning . The axe finally fell in 1904 when Admiral 'Jackie' Fisher brought the gunboat era to an end in order to help fund the new age of the dreadnought.

This exciting New Vanguard title describes the rise and fall of the gunboat, the appearance and capability of these vital warships, and what life was like on board. It also examines key actions they were involved in.

By: Angus Konstam
Illustrated by: Mr Paul Wright
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 184mm,
Weight: 168g
ISBN: 9781472851581
ISBN 10: 1472851587
Series: New Vanguard
Pages: 48
Publication Date: 31 May 2022
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

INTRODUCTION DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION -The Crimean gunboats -The gunvessels -From wood to iron -Changing roles -From gunvessel to sloop -The last Victorian gunboats GUNBOATS IN ACTION FURTHER READING INDEX

Angus Konstam hails from the Orkney Islands, and is an acclaimed author of over 100 history books, 60 of which are published by Osprey. He has written widely on naval history, from Sovereigns of the Seas and Piracy: The Complete History to his most recent bestseller, Hunt the Bismarck. A former naval officer and museum professional, he worked as the Curator in both the Royal Armouries, Tower of London and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida. He now works as a full-time author and historian.

Reviews for British Gunboats of Victoria's Empire

These engaging illustrated texts provide an overview of ships and activities that have come to define late 19th century imperialism. -- Andrew Lambert * The Naval Review *