The Russian war scare of 1884 and the public's anxiety about the Royal Navy's ability to fight a modern war at sea resulted in the Naval Defence Act of 1889 and a vast program of warship construction. Over the next twenty years a fleet of 52 battleships was built, construction finally interrupted by the revolutionary Dreadnought design.
 In this new volume, the author presents full details of design and construction, armament, protection, machinery and performance, all backed up with accurate data tables listing design figures, trials results, and full particulars at different stages in the ships careers. The history of each battleship is chronicled, and the reader is reminded of their major contribution in the First World War. Magnificently illustrated with detailed line drawings and superb photographs from the author's massive collection, this new softcover edition is simply a must-have addition to every naval library and will enthuse a whole new generation of readers.