Encyclopedia of Ships, The

Greek triremes, Roman galleys, Viking longships, the cogs of the Crusaders, and the galleys of the medieval era; plus the submarines, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and frigates of more modern times--the ships that have sailed the seven seas have always held a unique fascination for historians and laymen alike. Here is a compendium of all the major military and civil ships since earliest times. Each one is illustrated with the aid of full-color side-view artwork, including detailed specifications, displacement, dimensions, performance, building and date of launch, armament, and a brief narrative summarizing its career and eventual fate. In his comprehensive introduction, editor Chris Marshall examines the different types of ships and their development over time, showing how they were divided up into the varied categories of the vessels we know today. A treasure trove of information on more than 1,200 ships.