US Cruisers 1883–1904 The birth of the steel navy

By the end of the Civil War the US Navy was the most advanced in the world, but in subsequent years America neglected this technology. However, in the 1880s a "new navy" was born, and at the forefront of its fleet were the mighty cruisers. Naval historian Lawrence Burr details how these ships allowed America to rebuild its navy, exploring their design and development. Placing these advances in context through vivid accounts of how US cruisers performed in the Spanish-American War of 1898, notably at Manila Bay and Santiago, he investigates the emergence of the US Navy as a major power. Illustrated with early photographs and full-color artwork, this is a concise history of the birth and evolution of a modern navy that brought America to the forefront of international affairs. Book jacket.