Naval battles of the world: Great and decisive contests on the sea ... with an account of the Japan-China war and the recent battle of the Yalu; the growth, power, and management of our new Navy.

About this book

The work is a sweeping survey of naval warfare that begins with a broad argument for the relevance of sea power to even the most land‑locked readers, then launches into a chronological catalogue of famous battles. From the mythic dread of the sea in Homer to the decisive clash at Salamis, from the Roman‑Carthaginian struggles and the defeat of the Spanish Armada to the modern engagements of the Sino‑Japanese War, the author strings together concise, almost report‑like sketches of each encounter. The opening pages set the tone: a didactic preface linking geography, government, and the need for a strong navy, followed by a detailed contents list that promises a parade of ancient, medieval, and contemporary sea battles, each presented with the names of commanders, key maneuvers, and outcomes.

Written in the brisk, authoritative prose of late‑19th‑century military literature, the text reflects Edward Shippen’s patriotic perspective and his intent to persuade an American audience of the navy’s strategic importance. Its style is factual yet vivid, favoring dense enumeration over narrative flourish. Readers who relish exhaustive historical reference, enjoy the tactical details of famous engagements, or have an interest in the evolution of naval doctrine will find this volume a rewarding, if demanding, companion.

Opening lines

A study of naval history is of value, even in the most inland regions, by increasing a practical knowledge of geography, and by creating an interest in the great problems of government, instead of concentrating it upon local affairs. At the time that this volume was first issued, some people wondered why such a publication was necessary. The answer was that it was to inform the people of the great centre and West of the necessity of a navy, by showing them what navies had done and what influence they exercised in the world’s history. …

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