HMS Warrior 1860 [Hardcover]

This is a very hansom and expensively produced book, packed with beautiful colour photographs, original diagrams and charts. Mr Lambert's text begins by describing the background to Warrior's construction, her service history and the 1979 to 86 restoration. He then dedicates chapters to hull and armour, guns, machinery, rig and 'detail'. However, the 'target' readership is clearly those with a general interest- including visitors to the ship- more than the dedicated enthusiast. The author is one of Britains foremost naval historians but the text here is not particularly long and I was able to both read it and study the illustrations over a three day period- which implies that it is perhaps a little 'lightweight' but good enough to retain my interest.

Warriors background and service history occupy only 55 of the 200 pages. It is true that the ship had a rather unexciting career, but I did not learn much about it here that I did not already know: if a few little- known details and anecdotes could have been unearthed that would have been welcome. There are some interesting illustrations in this section, but for some reason many of them are reproduced on a very small scale (for example the phorographs of other 1860's ironclads are tiny). Somewhat by contrast, the restoration of the ship is described in considerable detail- to the point of becoming a little boring to read- which is not to imply any disrespect to those who worked so hard to transform a hulk back into a magnificent warship.

When describing the hull, machinery and rig Mr Lambert often uses photographs, charts and plans to cover items he does not choose to describe in detail. However this cannot be entirely satisfactory if the reader is not really sure what it is he or she is looking at. For example, there is no full description of the working of Penn trunk engines and it would be useful to be told how these differed from the return connecting rod type as used in the French Gloire (which engines are also illustrated) and many British ships. The chapter on rig is 'thin' on functional detail and the diagrams presented are not really related to the text, being barely intelligible to the layman. I suspect Mr Lambert is not too interested in this subject- nor am I, but others will be. On the other hand, the chapter on guns is both well illustrated and quite detailed- the authors considerable personal enthusiasm for naval guns and gunnery is evident.

Some of the 19th century deck plans are presented in a sepia colour which makes them difficult to read, and although this is a large format book I needed a magnifying glass to really study them. Also, some pages of text are given a coloured background: in one case it is lost in a sort of 'basket weave'- I needed a magnifying glass to read that, too!

I have been somewhat critical here- but I am not good at presenting eulogistic five star platitudes. In fact, however, this is still a very fine book, beautifully produced and at the published price of less than £20 is (or was) remarkable value for money. Warrior is a great and unique survivor and I certainly recommend this book.

Every so often, I pick up a book which I just know is a 5 Star product before I even open the first page. This was one of those occasions.

Launched in 1860, HMS Warrior was the world's first iron-hulled ocean-going warship and is as important to the history of naval warfare and the development of warships as any other ship still afloat today. Sadly, the UK does not have a great record when it comes to preserving important ships - especially warships and, as I have said so many times before, had they been built of bricks and mortar, many would be listed as protected buildings. But, of course, they are not and most are scrapped. On this occasion, however, I am delighted to inform those who may not be aware HMS Warrior was fully restored in Hartlepool and now forms part of the incredible attractions at Portsmouth's historic naval dockyard.

In 1860 HMS Warrior was the last word in revolutionary design. As a frigate she had 4½ inch armour and rifled, breech-loading weapons. She immediately caused Napoleon to postpone his challenge to British naval supremacy and went on to set the standards other countries could only hope to emulate. In this book, author and acclaimed naval historian Andrew Lambert compliments this fine ship with an equally fine job of work. Commencing with a full history of the ship, including the origins which led to her design and build, we are then treated, chapter by chapter, to the most complete appraisal of the ship's service, her eventual reconstruction and detailed descriptions of her; Hull, armour, guns, machinery, rigging and all other detail before we read of her triumphal return to Portsmouth. An additional appendix includes all specifications.

The book is exceedingly well illustrated with images which include historic and recent photographs and lithographs of several ships in addition to Warrior, plus various personalities and so forth. In addition there are several tables, charts, cross sections and line drawings of the ship and comparisons with other vessels. Personally, I always enjoy studying historic photographs and I congratulate the author on the fine selection reproduced in this work. Having said that, there is no doubt in my mind that the combination of photographs which show the step-by-step process of restoration coupled with those depicting the finished ship will cause a great many people to visit Portsmouth (England) with a copy of this book firmly in hand.

And if that is not enough, I found the entire story of this ship to be an excellent read. What more can I say except - do enjoy, because I know you will.

NM

Bought this book as a present and it was very well received. Very detailed, very interesting, would recommend to others.