The Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine – The Austro-Hungarian Navy – was in at the beginning of World War I when Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie lay in state abord its flagship, and at the end when it dissolved along with the empire that commanded it. During the war, this small but powerful “fleet in being” forced the Allies to maintain a blockade of the Otranto Straits. German and Austro-Hungarian u-boats ran riot elsewhere in the Mediterranean even though the capital ships almost never left port. Illustrated with thirty photographs and drawings, this book provides a comprehensive and detailed reference of the ships that made up the KuK Kriegsmarine, its operations, and the unique problems this unusual fleet faced, from contentious duelling parliaments to ships built by landlocked Hungary.

Rudyard Kipling's 'A Fleet in Being: Notes of Two Trips With The Channel Squadron' is a captivating account of his experiences during two voyages with the Channel Squadron. The book showcases Kipling's signature storytelling prowess, offering vivid descriptions of naval life and the British military presence in the late 19th century. Through his detailed observations, Kipling provides readers with a unique perspective on naval tactics, shipboard routines, and the geopolitical landscape of the era. This work is a valuable historical document that sheds light on the maritime history of the British Empire and the complexities of naval warfare. Kipling's eloquent prose and strategic insights make this book a compelling read for history enthusiasts and literature scholars alike. Rudyard Kipling, a prolific British author and Nobel laureate, drew inspiration for 'A Fleet in Being' from his deep interest in military affairs and his firsthand experiences as a journalist covering naval events. His keen intellect and personal connections within military circles allowed him to offer valuable insights into the inner workings of the British Navy. Kipling's authoritative voice and attention to detail make him a trusted source on naval history and strategy. I highly recommend 'A Fleet in Being' to readers interested in naval history, military literature, and the works of Rudyard Kipling. This book is a masterful blend of historical narrative and literary excellence, offering a glimpse into the world of the Channel Squadron and the strategic considerations that shaped naval operations in the late 19th century.

The launch of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 ushered in one of the most rapid periods of warship development in history; and only ten years after this all-big-gun, turbine-powered battleship was completed, two entire fleets of Dreadnoughts would meet at Jutland and put the work of the prewar designers to the ultimate test. The renowned warship author, D K Brown, examines the development of these vessels and looks at how wartime experience affected warship design. As well as battleships and battlecruisers, for the first time the developmental history of smaller vessels such as minesweepers, monitors and escort vessels, built in direct response to wartime needs, is described, as is that of the submarine and aircraft carrier. A detailed study is made of battle damage, including the role played by ammunition explosions in the loss of three British battlecruisers at Jutland. Also described are the postwar capital ship designs, killed off by the Washington Treaty, which are among the most fascinating might-have-beens of naval history. A classic work again available for historians and enthusiasts, detailing the development of all those ships that enabled the Royal Navy to rule the waves supreme and defend country and empire.

This book will appeal to those interested in naval warfare in general and in particular the development of the British fleet at the turn of the 20th Century. Essentially presented in note form, A Fleet in Being is not an easy read and the language used will be quite unfamiliar to many readers, both because of the specialist ship related terms used and the slang and coloquialisms of the sailors themselves. If you can get past that, this is a rich insight into the workings of a ship and the relations between the men aboard, other ships and the sea.