European Ironclads 1860-75: The Gloire sparks the great ironclad arms race

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title European Ironclads 1860-75: The Gloire sparks the great ironclad arms race
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Angus Konstam
Illustrated by Paul Wright
SeriesNew Vanguard
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:48
Dimensions(mm): Height 248,Width 184
Category/GenreMilitary history
ISBN/Barcode 9781472826763
ClassificationsDewey:359.009034
Audience
General
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publication Date 20 April 2019
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

From Spain to Russia, and from Ottoman Turkey to Bismarck's Prussia, this book explores 15 years that transformed European naval warfare. When the Gloire slid down the Toulon slipway in 1859, it changed sea power forever. With this ship, the world's first oceangoing ironclad, France had a warship that could sink any other, and which was proof against the guns of any wooden ship afloat. Instantly, an arms race began between the great navies of Europe - first to build their own ironclads, and then to surpass each other's technology and designs. As both armour and gun technology rapidly improved, naval architects found new ways to mount and protect guns. The ram briefly came back into fashion, and Italian and Austro-Hungarian fleets fought the ironclad era's great battle at Lissa. By the end of this revolutionary period, the modern battleship was becoming recognizable, and new naval powers were emerging to dominate Europe's waters.

Author Biography

Angus Konstam hails from the Orkney Islands, and is the author of over 80 books, 60 of which are published by Osprey. This acclaimed author has written widely on naval history, from Sovereigns of the Seas and Piracy: The Complete History to his most recent bestseller, Jutland 1916: Twelve Hours to Win the War. 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, and lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.