Adrian Buck’s Reviews > Empire of the Deep: The Rise and Fall of the British Navy > Status Update

Kamikaze attacks crippled American aircraft carriers. The damage from kamikaze attacks was quickly repaired on British carriers which had armoured flightdecks.

Everyone knew what was expected of them - and dreaded letting him down by not doing it - Nelson's leadership style again, and Nelson's tactics?

Johnnie Walker was the greatest U-boat hunter of the war. - Shocking then that I've haven't heard of him until now.

Sea power was entirely notional until tested by the exigencies of war. - there's technology and technology in use, the ability of officers and men to utilise the technology is as important as the technology itself.

But the political force that had propelled the Navy to world supremacy was sapped: the public accepted, even demanded, cuts for the senior service. - To what extent was the royal navy seem as a private good by British voters?

Steam power rendered these advantages pretty much null and void.

All we want is trade, declared Palmerston, and land is not necessary for trade.

1856 - And no more would British captains and crew make dazzling profits cruising the seas mopping up richly laden enemy merchantmen.

The Battle of Ushant, indecisive as it was in a tactical sense, may be one of the most naval battles in history - i.e. it led to the loss of the American colonies.

Once the basics of seamanship and gunnery were mastered everything else followed.