HMS Warrior 1860: Victoria's Ironclad Deterrent

by Andrew D. Lambert

A revolutionary ship symbolizing British naval might in the Victorian age, HMS Warrior was the world's first iron-hulled, armored warship and now a main attraction at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. This lavishly illustrated book examines her design, career, subsequent history, and the extensive restoration program that restored the ship to her former glory. Published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of her launch, it provides a brand new photographic record of the entire ship, complete with a newly commissioned set of detailed plans.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Andrew Lambert, FRHistS, is a British naval historian, who since 2001 has been the Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College London

Reviews

[Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more unexpected things that has happened to me lately is that I got to talk with Richard Barnett who carved the trailboards (as seen on page 173) during the restoration of Warrior’s figurehead on Facebook. Aside from very graciously entertaining my questions he also provided a few more ‘behind the scenes’ pictures of the process. To say that that was an enjoyable day is an understatement. Mr. Barnett also recommended this book to me, and since I know better than to turn down a book recommended by a master I promptly went and bought it.
Someday I’d like to visit HMS Warrior, but since I can’t do that right now, this book is a great substitute. It’s well illustrated, very well written, and it’s a book that you can return to over and over.

Aside:

So many of Britain’s preserved ships have survived accidentally, or as an afterthought. The grand dame of them all HMS Victory survived only because her former captain- Sir Thomas Hardy-refused to sign the order for her to be dismantled and he was only pushed to that decision because his wife insisted upon it. HMS Holland 1- the RN’s first submarine was actually on its way to be scrapped, sank under tow and was raised and preserved in the last fifty years. HMS Caroline (the last surviving ship from the battle of Jutland) was utilized as a training ship for the RNR until decommissioned in 2011 and barely survived the welder’s torch. HMS President- the last surviving Q-ship from WW1- will be scrapped unless she receives a £100,000 grant largely because of a dispute over berthing costs between the ship’s current owner and its operator and of course HMS Warrior was an oil jetty until 1979 as detailed in this book. Then there are so many that made it so far only to be sent to the scrapyard at the last minute: HMS Warspite, HMS Vanguard, HMS Dreadnought…

[Julian Stockwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning visual record of a revolutionary ship. The book usefully places her in context in terms of the development of naval architecture, the Anglo-French naval arms race, influence on tactical thinking and the concept of strategic deterrence.

[Markt5660 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice coffee-table edition with great photographs and lots of details about the ship's history and restoration.