Navies of the world: Giving Concise Descriptions of the Plans, Armament and Armor of the Naval Vessels of Twenty of the Principal Nations.

About this book

Navies of the World is a comprehensive reference work compiled by Lieutenant Edward W. Very of the U.S. Navy in 1880. The book opens with a detailed preface that explains the rapid technological changes of the preceding two decades, displacements swelling from 5,000 to 13,000 tons, speeds climbing from 12 to 18 knots, and the emergence of torpedoes and iron armor. Very promises to present “concise descriptions of the plans, armament and armor” of the principal vessels of twenty leading maritime powers, together with the latest developments in ordnance, torpedoes, and naval architecture, and a summary of the major naval battles from 1860‑1880. The contents are organized into five parts, covering fleet specifications, ordnance tables, torpedo technology, ship construction, and personnel budgets, all drawn from official sources and the noted authorities of the day.

The text is written in a formal, data‑driven style typical of late‑Victorian naval scholarship. It reads like a meticulous survey rather than a narrative, employing extensive tables, technical measurements, and precise terminology. Readers with an interest in 19th‑century naval engineering, maritime historians, model‑ship builders, or anyone fascinated by the evolution of warships during the iron‑clad era will find the work both informative and engaging.

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Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate italics in the original text. Equal signs “=” before and after a word or phrase indicate =bold= in the original text. Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. Illustrations have been moved so they do not break up paragraphs. Old or antiquated spellings have been preserved. Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected. …

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