TORPEDOES AND TORPEDO WARFARE : CONTAINING A COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS OF SUBMARINE WARFARE (1889)

Excellent illustrated survey of a branch of warfare that only really came into its own in the 20th century. Sleeman, a Royal Navy officer who later lent his services to the Turkish Ottoman navy, clearly knows his submarine stuff. His history begins with the use of submarine mines in the American Civil War, before discussing the devlopment of various mines, torpedoes and submarines in the latter half of the 19th century. The author, a passioonate believer in subvmarine warfare as a new strategic weapon, looks forward to the with some relish as a testing time when the full power of mines, submarines and torpedoes will be tested to destruction. His text is generously illustrated with eighty-three details diagrams and plans of various torpedoes, mines, fuses and submarines. This book is an absolute must for anyone interested in the early development of submarines and undrwater mines.