The Windfall Battleships: Agincourt, Canada, Erin, Eagle and the Latin-American & Balkan Arms Races

This book explores how two Turkish and two Chilean battleships became British capital ships after the outbreak of the First World War. The first three served with the Grand Fleet, while the last was transformed into a pioneering aircraft carrier. The author traces the stories of the battleships of the Latin-American naval race from the 1920s to the 1950s, including the Agincourt, Erin, Canada, and Eagle.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

This new book delves into the captivating tale of how two Turkish and two Chilean battleships underwent a remarkable transformation into British capital ships following the outbreak of the First World War. Under construction by the renowned shipbuilding giants of Armstrong and Vickers in August 1914, Sultan Osman I, Re?adiye, Almirante Latorre, and Almirante Cochrane emerged as HM Ships Agincourt, Erin, Canada, and Eagle. While two of the other ships had relatively short lives, cut short by the Washington Naval Treaty, the final ship, Almirante Latorre, would be returned to Chile after the war, embarking on a remarkable career that would span into the 1950s. When finally towed away for scrap in 1959, she stood as the penultimate survivor of the historic Battle of Jutland.

Drawing upon extensive archival research, the book begins with an overview of the warships under construction around Europe for foreign customers in August 1914. It then delves into the fascinating acquisition of these four ships by the Royal Navy. The focus then shifts to examining these battleships as manifestations of the international rivalries that shaped the national budgets of impecunious South American and Balkan states, directing significant resources towards armaments.

The narrative then turns to the British service of the completed battleships, highlighting their contributions to naval warfare. However, it is the story of the carrier that truly captivates. While never fully finished as a battleship, Almirante Latorre played a crucial role in the development of British carrier aviation. The author meticulously traces the stories of these battleships, from the 1920s to the 1950s, encompassing the Latin-American naval race and the enduring legacy of these iconic vessels.

The stories and backstories of Agincourt, Erin, Canada, and Eagle encompass nearly the entire span of the twentieth century. These battleships, once symbols of power and might, now stand as a testament to the evolution of naval warfare and the enduring impact of international relations on the geopolitical landscape. This captivating book offers a fresh perspective on the history of these remarkable ships, shedding light on their construction, service, and legacy.

Weight: 994g
Dimension: 181 x 253 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399063227