At the beginning of the 1880s, a few naval officers were raising the alarm about the vulnerability of the nation, but were criticized or ignored. But by 1897 the Navy included a half-dozen large modern warships, with more on the way - a transformation so sudden that it came to be called the New Navy.

In 1882, on the recommendation of an advisory panel, the Navy Secretary requested Congress for funds to construct modern ships. The request was rejected initially, but in 1883 Congress authorized the construction of three small steel cruisers (Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta). Increasing interests in overseas locations, including Samoa and Central America (where canal-building schemes were being proposed), and the awareness that other countries were building up their navies provided additional impetus.

The American Steel Navy traces the development of the modern U.S. Navy from the first steel ships through the War with Spain until its maturing in the form of the Great White Fleet. The text is heavily illustrated with photographs and drawings of the ships themselves, their equipment, and the men who designed and served on them. Appendices include outline plans of the major ships and biographical sketches of important people involved in their development.

This classic study of the U.S. Navy is now back in print due to popular demand.