From the Cheops ships used in 3000 BC, through the graceful trading clippers of the nineteenth century, to the sophisticated and heavily armed submarines of the nuclear era, sails through history to explore every type of vessel from every part of the world. These beautifully illustrated and information-packed pages survey ancient galleys, Viking longships, medieval cogs, galleasses, galleons, men-of-war, coastal gunboats, iron-clad steamboats, dreadnoughts, aircraft carriers, and nuclear subs. Many well-known crafts are included, such as Nelson’s flagship HMS , the ill-fated , and the infamous German World War II battle cruiser . Each ship appears in a colorful artwork, while lively text offers a concise service history and a specification box provides comprehensive technical data on displacement, dimensions, machinery, armament, speed, complement, and more.