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Over 650 colour photographs
Over 250

• A fully illustrated country-by-country directory of destroyers, from the early torpedo boats of the 1890s through to modern anti-aircraft destroyers such as the Type 45 Daring class and the Arleigh Burke (DDG.51) class, and a guide to the frigates of the world, from the Spica class and Black Swan class of the 1930s through to the modern-day Type 23 and the Steregushchiy class



• Examines over 100 years of destroyer and frigate evolution, including special topics such as the origins of the torpedo boat, destroyers at the Dardanelles, the “Tokyo Express”, the sinking of the Haguro, destroyers in the Falklands, the first frigates, typical convoy action at the height of the Battle of the Atlantic, frigates versus high-speed submarines, and frigates in the missile age



• Specification boxes provide at-a-glance information about each vessel’s country of origin, displacement, dimensions, armament, machinery, power, performance and protection



• Includes fascinating quotes from military leaders, a glossary explaining key naval terms and abbreviations, and extensive class lists at the back of the book



• A unique collection of over 650 photographs illustrating each class

Destroyers and frigates, together with submarines, owe their existence to the invention of the locomotive torpedo – destroyers and submarines as platforms deploying that weapon, and frigates specifically as the killers of submarines.

This encyclopedia charts the development of the destroyer from its origin in the fragile torpedo boat through to the classic torpedo-armed fleet destroyer. It explains the inadequacies of ships such as submarine hunters and convoy escorts, resulting in the classic destroyer losing its major role, only to assume another as a missile-armed, anti-aircraft escort. Also, to counter the threat posed by the submarine, the simple corvette was enlarged to produce the basic frigate, which itself underwent a process of continuous evolution to arrive at the helicopter-deploying, anti-submarine vessel familiar today.

The opening section explains the rationale behind the technological development of destroyers and frigates, using historical incidents to illustrate the varied manner of their use. Topics include the early development of the self-propelled torpedo, the Dardanelles, the submarine threat in 1939, the Battle of the Atlantic, improved weapons, sensors and escorts, and frigates in the missile age.

Next, there are three major country-by-country directories: the first focuses on the destroyer in its formative and rapidly developing years up until the end of World War I; the second looks at the destroyer’s progress from its classic phase to its eventual transformation into a specialist anti-aircraft escort; and the third covers the development of the frigate since its inception in 1940. Technical description is blended with informed comment on the performance and effectiveness of each of 250 types and classes.

Beyond being an essential reference source, this unique book is an enjoyable and lively read for anyone interested in naval history.

About the Authors

Bernard Ireland - Author

Bernard Ireland has a lifelong interest in naval history and development, having spent 30 years in ship research for the Admiralty in the Royal Naval Scientific Service. He has also worked as an illustrator for the shipping industry, producing artist’s impressions and technical cutaways for companies such as Canadian Pacific and Blue Star Lines, and has produced illustrations for the Port of London Monthly and technical posters for the Science Museum in London. He is the author of over 25 specialist naval books and a major contributor to numerous partworks and journals on the history of ships.