American Naval History in 50 Ships: Unsung Vessels from the Colonial Era to the Cold War - Paperback

by James M. Caiella (Author)

The course of American naval history has not been set only by the relatively few famous ships whose stories have been told and retold. This volume spotlights 50 less recognized vessels, each significant in its own way, from the Continental Navy to the first supercarriers--while touching on many others with which their stories are interwoven.

Attention is given not only to the design and conceptual changes the vessels embodied, but also the crews whose toil and heroism gave them life and sometimes notoriety. One captain tried to sell his warship in the midst of the Civil War.

Each ship is detailed chronologically in chapters that often dispel timeworn misconceptions. Some were trailblazers; others were misdirected in their inspiration, design, or execution--indeed two could not float and one was dampened only by rain. Yet each helped shape America's seafaring history.

Author Biography

James M. Caiella is a retired journalist with more than 50 years experience as a photographer, editor, writer, designer, and graphic artist. He retired as lead editor of scholarly publications for the Naval History and Heritage Command. Prior to that, he was writer-editor for the U.S. Marine Corps' history division, and senior editor of the U.S. Naval Institute's Proceedings and Naval History magazines. A U.S. Army veteran, he lives in Richmond, Virginia.