Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Originally a 2-volume set in 1968, Volume 1 ("major warhips") has been updated up to 2006, and apparently includes some minor vessels that are "warships" - - with the original author deceased, it apppears the remainding co-author is left to carry on (w/ 40 years of naval service) and has evolved Vol. 1 into a single, prime title.
Basically, it is a list in a book -- ships names are in alphabetical order, with abbreviated info of type ("aircraft carrier"), light displacement (e.g. 22,000 tons), 2 dimensions (l & w, no draft), original armament (no cal lengths), builder (e.g. Cammell Laird), launch date, disposition (e.g. sunk 14.11.41 by U.81 off Gibraltar).
The list is arranged in 2 columns per page - - - the book is a medium format (9.5" x 6.5") hard cover -- there are NO photos, drawings or illustrations except for the cover.
For pre-20th RN navy lists, you should consider the David Lyon 2-book references (large format), but they are (very) expensive and also have no illustrations.
As a list book, "Ships" is as complete as they come and reasonable priced (when discounted), but you will have to refer to other books to get anything other than abbrev. data.
Click Here to see more reviews about: SHIPS OF THE ROYAL NAVY: A Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th Century to the Present
The essential work, fully revised up to 2010 . . .
This is the fourth fully revised edition of a book first published in 1970. This longevity is testimony to its enduring value as a reference work-indeed, 'Colledge' (as the book is universally known) is still the first stop for anyone wanting more information on any British warship from the 15th century to the present day when only the name is known. Each entry gives concise details of dimensions, armament, and service dates, and its alphabetical and chronological arrangement makes it easy to track down the right ship (otherwise the Royal Navy's tradition of re-using the same names can be misleading).
When originally published, the second of the two volumes was devoted to minor fighting ships, and hired and requisitioned vessels. For the 3rd edition, published in one volume, this material was omitted, but for this edition all the genuine fighting ships-like the numbered Coastal Forces craft-have been restored, resulting in a convenient but comprehensive single-volume listing of all significant vessels.
Since the death of Jim Colledge, who was widely respected for his pioneering research on the technical details of warships, his magnum opus has been updated, corrected and expanded with similar enthusiasm and attention to detail by Ben Warlow, a retired naval officer and author of a number of books in the field.
REVIEWS
"...provides the reader with a historical index of every RN ship to date, starting with the 1902-built submarine A1 and ending with ZZ31-30, a 1940's built minesweeper... An excellent comprehensive reference tool." Ships Monthly, 07/2010
"...right at the top of the 'must have' list... A book which will get much use and very welcome."
Royal Navy and Maritime Book Reviews UK, 10/2010
"This important reference book, giving the fundamentals for each ship, and helping to distinguish ships of the same name should be in any collection supporting British and Commonwealth Naval researchers."FGS Forum, Winter 2010
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