JANE’S FIGHTING SHIPS, 1934. Edited by Oscar Parkes. London: Sampson
Low, Marston & Co., Ltd. 42s.
The thirty-eighth annual edition of Jane made its appearance in London on December 10, as usual. Dr. Oscar Parkes announces in this volume that he is retiring from the editorship, and he devotes one page to reviewing the history of the annual since the death of the founder, the late Mr. Fred T. Jane. Parkes has edited, or assisted in editing, seventeen editions, and he is entitled to great credit for some of the improvements which he has introduced, notably the stipple-outline sketches which have replaced the black silhouettes, and his own drawings of new types of ships. His drawings of ships have appeared in increasing numbers each year since 1920, and they have enjoyed well-deserved popularity. Parkes is retiring from the editorship in order to devote his time to his medical practice in London.
The new edition seems to be a little more complete than last year in the matter of the fleet distribution tables for the various navies, and it contains a number of new photographs of recently completed ships. On pages 524 and 525 of the addenda, there is reproduced the table showing ships laid down by the five principal naval powers during each of the years 1922-33, inclusive. This table is taken from the U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings for June, 1934, and credit is given accordingly.
The frontispiece shows photographs of five ships of various navies at high speeds, H.M.S. Exeter, the Italian cruisers Barbiano and Bolzano, the Japanese cruiser Maya, and the Swedish battleship Gustav V. The addenda includes a plan of the new German Admiral Scheer and a photograph which shows her to be one of the most beautiful men-of-war afloat. Photographs of the new Russian convoy torpedo boats, Lowestoft type of British sloops, and various new vessels of other navies also appear in the addenda.
In the foreword the publishers say,
This year the principal interest lies in the net? British construction, and plans and illustrations will be found of all the types now building. The Minotaur class design will not be unexpected the armament of twelve guns has generally been accepted as the only one possible on the displacement. As replies to the American and Japanese cruisers with fifteen 6 inch guns they may not inspire much enthusiasm, but in face of the London Treaty limitations they are frankly faute mieux. . . .
No details are as yet available as to the desig0 of the U. S. Savannah class, and the delay in commencing these ships suggests that it is still liable to alteration. The official armament is fifteen 6 inch guns which is on a par with the Japanese Mogami, of fourteen hundred tons less displacement, and considerably superior to that of out 9,000 tonners. Ships of the Astoria class have visited our ports during the year and are more of less familiar. In general lay-out they created a very favorable impression and are said to be satisfactory sea-boats, but alterations to their lofty bridges are said to be contemplated on account of vibration. The Ranger has turned out to be a Modified Langley after all, and it looks very much as if the island funnel has had its day.
The editor has followed the practice of recent years in increasing the number of Photographs of types of particular interest, ^•hd the aircraft carriers of all navies are hstrated with numerous pictures. Ships inch have undergone alterations have een pictured in their new appearance. Ver 3,000 photographs are included in e 331 pages of this volume.
In spite of twenty-one years of familiar- y with, the annual editions of Jane, this reviewer found many new points of interest in this number, and discovered that various matters in it appeared in a new significance. In spite of practical absence competition today, the editors and publishers continue to keep the annual up to a high standard and manage to make improvements. On the whole, also, the editors have refrained from using its pages for propaganda purposes, but this edition introduces a few notes about the design and upkeep of the Nelson and Rodney which, either intentionally or otherwise, can be employed to re-enforce the current agitation for smaller capital ships.
The British section lists 64 cruisers built, building, and projected, against 35 similarly classified for the United States, yet the publishers complain that Britain has not been able to build the cruisers she requires, and they say, “Our cruiser requirements bear absolutely no relation whatsoever to the known forces of other nations, and it is fatuous to attempt to a calculate them in units or tens.” Once this theory is admitted by other nations, and after capital ships have been done away with as the British likewise suggest, the question of naval limitation will apply to all nations except Great Britain. The British are making steady progress with their new destroyers, submarines, and sloops. The newer sloops show advances and improvements in design, and the British now possess a splendid force of these vessels, useful, economical, and unrestricted by limitation treaties. Their 45 sloops would constitute a valuable addition to any navy.
In the French section there is a drawing of the new battleships Dunkerque and Strasbourg, and interesting photographs of new vessels of the cruiser, destroyer, and submarine classes. The new mine laying cruiser Emile Bertin and the new destroyers are handsome vessels, in marked contrast to the hideous appearance of older French ships. The French continue to build sloops, which they call avisos, and they have a formidable group of these vessels.
The German section shows that the third ship of the Deutschland class, the Admiral Graf Spee, will be completed next year, while the fourth and fifth vessels were laid down at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven during 1934. The Admiral Scheer has a tower foremast.
No data is given regarding the new 35,000-ton Italian battleships, except that they were laid down on October 28, 1934, at Trieste and Genoa. Italy is reconstructing two of her old battleships and her newer cruisers appear to be improved in design.
At a time when the newer designs in other navies seem to be tending toward simplicity of upperworks, and away from recent increases in top-hamper, the Japanese continue to increase their top weights to an extraordinary degree. Each year these features are accentuated, and Jane refers to some of the newly refitted ships as “monstrosities.” Certainly the appearance of all of the newer Japanese vessels is distinctive.
The editors say, “It is extremely difficult to secure accurate information regarding the Russian Navy.” No mention is made of the vessels which have been at Bizerta, Tunisia, for several years, and one wonders whether or not the recent resumption of very friendly relations between France and Russia may lead to the return of these vessels to the Russians, although after so many years of neglect they cannot possess much value. It seems that the Russians have done considerable work on their old cruisers and have made formidable ships of some of them.
The Spaniards have two 10,000-ton cruisers nearly completed, but their appearance is somewhat odd. The reconstruction of the Brazilian battleship Minas Gerais has altered her profile. Nothing of interest appears to be new in the data regarding the other Latin American navies, except that Mexico is acquiring a number of transport gunboats, destroyers, and torpedo boats, all of which are being built in Spanish yards. The old battleships, ex- Idaho and ex-Mississippi, have disappeared from the Greek section. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Portugal have new vessels of interest. Manchukuo appears in the book, following Mexico, and is listed as having: one cruiser, “transferred from Japanese Navy”; destroyers: “several transferred and building”; twelve gunboats and eight patrol boats, almost all quite small.
DANGER ZONE. The Story of the Queenstown Command. By E. Keble Chatterton. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. 1934. $4.00. 383 pages; 40 plates; index.
Reviewed by Lieutenant Commander J. B. Heffernan, U. S. Navy
This book has been widely advertised as containing an account of the work of Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, R.N., and as furnishing the full story of the service of the American destroyers at Queenstown during the late war. There can be no question but that Admiral Bayly handled a difficult command in a remarkably efficient manner, and it is generally agreed that the American destroyers did excellent work. Admiral Bayly and the destroyers both deserve to have their accomplishments recorded for the future, and it is to be hoped that this will sometime be done in a manner worthy of the merits of both. But, the field is still open.
The material for the most part would appear to have been collected at the time of the occurrences, when careful checking was impossible, and it seems to have been thrown together recently, with the addition of a few accounts from Americans- So many obvious errors, and so many merely careless inaccuracies appear that the reader is inclined to have grave doubts regarding those portions of the book which concern matters completely beyond his knowledge. The author professes great admiration for Admiral Sims, but he demotes him two ranks, and makes an error which could have been avoided by consulting a Navy Directory, Navy Register, Who’s Who, or any reference book. This is a small matter in itself, but, combined with other errors which could have been avoided by the simplest form of research, it serves to rob the book of any serious historical standing.
The best part of the book appears to be the accounts of the operations of the British mystery ships. In many cases the stories of the ships’ captains or other survivors are given, and on this subject the book is rather convincing. However, & tabulation of the work of this type of ship would have added to the value and interest of this presentation of the subject, and at this time it should be possible to obtain from Germany some knowledge of the information possessed by the Germans regarding these ships while they were still fighting them.
Admiral Bayly had command in an area which was exceedingly important, but he never possessed a force as large as he could have employed effectively. In order to carry on it was necessary for him to plan the service of supply, and other shore-based services for his seagoing forces, in such a manner that the ships could be used to their utmost efficiency. He did this in a manner which was remarkably successful and efficient, and it is believed that no other officer anywhere in any war ever built up a better administrative organization. It is difficult to see how he could have done more than he did do with the material and personnel at his command. His system and methods are well worthy of study, and they should be recorded for the benefit of all those who did not have the pleasure of seeing them in operation. Unfortunately, this book does not even scratch the surface, and while it tells the reader that Admiral Bayly was an effective organizer, it gives no real idea of what his system and methods were. Various bits of his work do appear in items scattered through the book, but these cannot be appreciated or understood by those who did not have the advantage of having seen the organization at first hand.
The book is particularly lacking in balance in its failure to present Admiral Bayly’s work with the degree of importance which it deserves, but it is no less at fault in erring on the other side. A disproportionate amount of space is given to monotonous listing of sinkings of Merchant vessels in paragraph after paragraph. This material could have been resided more simply and more effectively tabular form in almost all instances. Much more space is devoted to these miscellaneous accounts of losses than is given to Admiral Bayly, or to the mystery ships, or to the work of the American destroyers.
It is regrettable that the author did not take the trouble to prepare a better account of the services of the American destroyers. The portion of the book devoted to them is incomplete and inaccurate, only part of the destroyers which formed the Queenstown flotilla are mentioned, the reports of their patrol work and other doings do not convey a clear notion of their routine and special duties. The repair and upkeep work of our destroyer tenders is mentioned and praised in general terms, but again no idea of what was accomplished is conveyed to the reader.
Finally, the worst fault of the book is the author’s lack of perspective regarding the relative importance of his own part in the story. While he praises Admiral Bayly one obtains the impression thet he thinks that his own share in the drama was of equal or greater importance, and he never fails to tell us of his personal connection with every event of importance. The ultimate impression concerning the book is that its title should be more descriptive of what it contains.
TRUE ANECDOTES OF AN ADMIRAL. By Admiral Robert E. Coontz, U. S. Navy (Ret.). Philadelphia: Dorrance & Co., Inc. 1935. $1.75.
In this book Admiral Coontz, who has been chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet, relates stories and anecdotes of his service in all parts of the world. His experiences have brought him into contact with many interesting and amusing situations which furnish the material for the book. The volume contains 109 anecdotes, 123 pages, and an index.
AUTOPSY OF THE MONROE DOCTRINE. By Gaston Nerval. New York: The Macmillan Co. 1934. $3.50. Reviewed by Brigadier General George Richards, U. S. Marine Corps
For over a century it was considered lese majeste to voice criticism of the Monroe Doctrine. That historic fiat was as highly revered by most good Americans as was the Constitution itself. Such thought was fundamental. At the basis of the doctrine lay the reflection that the Americas were for Americans—whether of Latin, Nordic, or other cisatlantic ancestry.
But times change. Likes and dislikes of individuals as well as of nations find different levels. Great policies of government, evolved as the consequence of statesmanship, become enervated through the lapse of time, changed condition, or through distortion as the result of interpretations designed to suit the needs of the moment. Under the stress of times even the noblest of thoughts seem today to degenerate through expediency or under the influence of popularity into something different in conception. This condition seems to have produced that fatal illness that spelt the beginning of the end of the Monroe Doctrine, at least as Mr. Gaston Nerval in his Autopsy of the Monroe Doctrine, just published, sees it.
The Monroe Doctrine as originally given to the world in 1823 was the expression of a common cause, i.e., that the American continents were thenceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers, although it cannot seriously be doubted, after a careful examination of the language employed by President Monroe in his message to Congress of December 2, 1823, that the safety and interests of the United States were factors of no little importance. But, accepting this as the only field for the exercise of the pronouncement, that is, the protection of cisatlantic states from the potential incursions of European powers, the doctrine would long since have atrophied for want of violations. It would have been dead years before Mr. Nerval performed his autopsy.
According to Mr. Nerval, however, and this reviewer is not prone to dissent, the nominal doctrine was kept alive by periodic injections of new interpretations, big sticks, corollaries, and dollar diplomacies, until, not strangely, it achieved a metamorphosis. It became a chameleon capable of changing its color to suit the color schemes of changing political factions. Thus it became, down through the years, a new instrument with an entirely different purpose. Long ago it lost its identity as a barrier against the ambitions of European powers because of lack of encroachments. And one of the incentives for such encroachments—the unpaid European debts of some of the Caribbean or South American states—no longer present any serious problem for our attention. So it seems to have come to pass that the “Doctrine” as a means of “protection” on our part for the American states to the south is dead. These states have no longer any need for our protection. And being dead, as Mr. Nerval states, the doctrine needs interment.
Mr. Nerval’s treatment of this much discussed doctrine is comprehensive, it is complete, and it is courageous. He first explores the condition that gave birth to the doctrine, he analyzes it, and separates it from its many corollaries. With much documentary support he points out that even the original pronouncement was not vested with that efficiency our traditions have sanctified it. He then proceeds to indict the modern doctrine. He points out step by step by many interpretations given to it by Monroe’s successors, the corollaries grafted upon it, with the abuses committed in its and their name.
The original doctrine is dead because the raison d’etre no longer exists. And it’s child, the modern doctrine, died on March 4, 1933, when President Roosevelt dedicated this nation to
the policy of the good neighbor—the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others—the neighbor who respects his obligations and respects the sanctity of his agreements in, and with, a world of neighbors.
This is a new corollary: the renouncement of a dead policy and the substitution therefor of the golden rule. It is a golden day for real pan-Americanism.
Mr. Nerval concludes his autopsy significantly. Let me quote him:
The problem, then, is by no means so serious as some people believe, for the alternative is not whether to kill the Monroe Doctrine or let it live. It is to bury it or not to bury it. That is the question.
This book should be on the shelf of every student of American history.
a history of the great war
1914-1918. By C. R. M. F. Cruttwell. New York: Oxford University Press. 1934. $5.50.
Reviewed by Commander R. A. Hall, N. S. Navy
The author of this volume is principal oi Hertford College, Oxford; a former officer on the British front in France and later in the intelligence division of the War Office.
He offers one of the most intelligent and readable books on the World War that has yet appeared. Without going into the controversial causes of the great conflict, he gives a condensed account of all the principal operations, using the proper perspective to evaluate the importance of each, and giving a judicious weight to all actors that produced the final result.
One gains the idea that there is a refreshing absence of the bias so prevalent in works on this subject, especially, if we may say so, in those by British authors. Having nothing to hide or extenuate, the author makes no attempt to excuse mistakes or to cover up failures. The impression given is that he is perfectly detached from prejudice, that he has had access to and carefully weighed all the evidence, and that he gives conclusions as truthful as it is humanly possible to reach, without fear or favor. He never hesitates to blame a friend or praise an opponent if he considers either is deserving of it.
One of the most interesting features of the book is the series of character sketches of the military leaders on both sides. These are short, trenchant, and in most cases furnish a logical explanation for the actions of the subject of the sketch. The civilian leaders are touched on more lightly, but even on these some interesting sidelights appear.
Americans may be surprised at an unaccustomedly sympathetic treatment given to their efforts. The author gives high value to America’s participation along both military and diplomatic lines. He approves, or at least fails to condemn, the determination to function as a separate Army under American command, while giving full credit for the voluntary delay in attaining this objective when disaster threatened the allied cause in the spring of 1918. He pays high tribute to the character of the American troops, while never hesitating in criticisms, possibly well deserved, on their training and handling.
Of especial interest to naval officers is his account of the action during and the results of the Battle of Jutland. To those of us who have long been involved in the fog of words written about this famous operation, worse than the heavy mist that covered the battle area, his account will appear like a clearing breeze. Without going into the controversial aspects of the question the description is at least clear and logical.
The only criticism to which the book may be open is a perhaps understandable tendency to give in undue length and detail the operations in the sector where the author served. Otherwise he has produced a volume which, from its brevity and logic, its accuracy and detachment, should be well worth the while of both the military and the lay reader.
BROWN’S NAUTICAL ALMANAC, 1935. Glasgow: Brown, Son and Ferguson, Ltd. 35. 6d.
Reviewed by Commander J. B. Oldendorf, U. S. Navy
For 58 years this hardy perennial has
made its appearance. From the introduction on page 1 to and including Postal Information, page 608, its pages are full of information and statistics of value and interest to the men who go down to the sea in ships.
The Astronomical Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac is very conveniently arranged for those navigators familiar with British nomenclature. All necessary information for the sun, moon, stars, and planets, is grouped by months, together with a star chart for the ordinary navigational stars. This is followed by the mean places of stars, 1935; right ascension and declination of selected fixed stars; planetary information; moonrise and moonset, phases of the moon, etc. All tables and lists of tabulated data have examples or explanations which are clear and concise.
CAPTAIN CAUTION. By Kenneth Roberts. New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co., Inc. 1934. $2.50.
Reviewed by M. Thackray
After reading this absorbing story of the War of 1812, the reader might well question whether he has read a delightful novel with a historical setting or a history presented in such a way as to be entirely fascinating. After Arundel, The Lively Lady, and Rabble in Arms, we should have been prepared to find Kenneth Roberts succeeding again in his field of novelized history. Captain Caution is up to the extremely high standard that Mr. Roberts has set. His research in old manuscripts, “on location,” on land and sea, have given him authenticity of background upon which he has painted lifelike fiction characters. Daniel Marvin, mariner from Arundel; Corunna Dorman, seafaring daughter of an Arundel shipmaster; Lucien Argandeau, French privateer captain; Lurman Slade, American slave brig skipper; and Matthew Newton, Harvard graduate, all live and endure doldrums, battles, and imprisonments, while the reader awaits breathlessly the outcome of each experience for these flesh and blood characters.
The book opens with the merchant bark Olive Branch, 108 days out of Canton, drifting in the doldrums, logging North 4o40’; West 25o20', under date August 4, 1812. All hands are despondent, but the lethargy is soon dismissed when they are attacked and boarded by a British brig and learn that the United States and Great Britain are at war. After that episode the story is never dull. Sea fights, villains, prisons, and intrigue are depicted realistically and woven together into a story of romantic adventure.
Naturally, Mr. Roberts tells the story from the patriotic American point of view, and British seamen are not pictured as the most kindly captors in history.
The portrayals of ship construction, navigation, guns, and equipment are authentic and enhance the historical value of the book. The fact that the story is recommended by college and school heads as supplementary reading should in no whit detract from its use for adults. A map and drawings of ten types of ships of the period are inside cover illustrations and add to our general understanding of the story.
Mr. Roberts has been awarded the Doctor of Letters degree by Dartmouth College in recognition of his valuable contributions to literature and history.
Captain Caution appeals to young and old, to those who like adventure and to those who take it vicariously. As a novel and as a history this book will endure.