British Gunboats of Victoria's Empire

The book explores the history of British ocean-going gunboats, known as gunboat diplomacy, which were used from the Crimean War to 1904 to promote global stability and protect British overseas trade. It describes the design and capabilities of these ships, as well as their key actions and the role they played in maintaining the British Empire at its peak.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A captivating and richly detailed account of the legendary ocean-going gunboats of British gunboat diplomacy, the hundreds of diminutive warships that for half a century showcased the might of the Royal Navy across the globe, and which upheld and enforced the dominance of the British Empire at its zenith. In recent times, the term "gunboat diplomacy" has been employed to characterize the crude employment of naval power to intimidate or coerce a weaker nation. During the reign of Queen Victoria, gunboat diplomacy was perceived quite differently. It entailed the strategic deployment of a relatively small naval force to foster global stability and safeguard British overseas trade. This nuanced and understated utilization of naval power played a pivotal role in establishing the Pax Britannica. Spanning from the Crimean War (1854-56) to 1904, when the gunboat era abruptly concluded, the Royal Navy's ocean-going gunboats served as the foundation of Britain's ascendancy as a global power and fulfilled its role as the world's policeman. Originating during the Crimean War, these gunboats initially encountered action in China. However, they were also utilized to track down pirates along the coasts and rivers of Borneo and Malaya, to suppress insurrections and revolts in the Caribbean, and to hunt slavers off the African coast. The initial gunboats were conceived for service in the Crimean War, yet during the 1860s, a new generation of ships commenced entering service, specifically designed to fulfill this global policing role. Improved gunboats followed, yet by the 1880s, their necessity was gradually diminishing. The final blow came in 1904 when Admiral Jackie Fisher brought the gunboat era to a close, with the aim of allocating resources towards the emerging era of the dreadnought. This captivating New Vanguard title delves into the ascent and decline of the gunboat, explores the appearance and capabilities of these indispensable warships, and provides a glimpse into the life onboard. It also sheds light on the broader gunboat's enduring legacy in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 247 x 184 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472851581