Monitors of the Royal Navy: How the Fleet Brought the Big Guns to Bear

by Jim Crossley

Monitor warships mounted the biggest guns ever deployed by the Royal Navy, and played an undeniably important part in Allied efforts during World War I and World War II. Built as cheap and "disposable" from ship scraps, monitor warships astonished allies and enemies alike with their devastating ability to accurately reach targets up to ten miles or more inland. This volume covers the origins of monitors and their evolution from birth as eighteenth century bomb ketches to the heavily armored warships of World War II. The design and construction of the various classes of monitor are examined as well as the warship's effectiveness in comparison with other classes of ships.

246 pages, Hardcover

First published February 19, 2013

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important bit of reading regarding more of the little ships (albeit with big guns) to serve during the two World Wars in the Royal Navy. Seen as cheap to make, light to crew with reservists and mostly expendable, these ships were designed for close inshore bombardment in support of troops where it was too risky for the great capital ships to operate. Henceforth during the First World War these rushed and ill-designed ships saw more action than the big battle-wagons of the Royal Navy and did excellent work in East Africa, along the Belgium coast and the Dardanelles, as well as some other minor theatres. Later classes during the war was better designed and did much better, some even surviving to serve in the Second World War.

During World War 2, they were used much more effectively and served throughout the Mediterranean and northwest Europe during the invasion there and actions afterwards, where they did way more than expected of them. These ships played an important role for the Royal Navy and was well worth every little penny spent on them. Recommended reading for World War naval enthusiasts.

[Phil Geusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contained much good information about a rather arcane corner of naval history and presented it in a pleasing way. For the most part I enjoyed it and learned much. However, the author should've retained the services of a skilled editor. There were numerous missing-word errors in the text, to the point that one sentence was totally incomprehensible. Most notable of all, he accidentally reversed the names of the Confederate and Federal navies at one point, so that he has the Confederacy building large numbers of ironclads and eventually gaining control of the rivers of the South. For a $2.99 book I'd hold my peace, but this is being sold for $9.99 as of this writing. He who charges much must deliver much.

[Richard Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Some information about WW1 operations such I didn't know, an I interesting underlining together book which should interest those with a interest in naval history

[Mike Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource on the development of monitors in the 20th century Royal Navy. Subjects such as this can easily become dry and dull, however the author keeps the reader’s interest throughout.

[James Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, shame about the typos and word switches they spoiled an otherwise excellent read.