BLACK SWAN CLASS SLOOPS

Widely regarded as the Rolls Royce of Second World War convey escorts, heavily armed and superbly equipped for their role, the Black Swan Class of sloops and their modified derivatives were among the most effective anti-submarine ships of the Battle in the Atlantic. The design was gradually improved, and this book uses plans of four selected ships to chart that development in detail. They comprise of the original group Black Swan as built, and Flamingo as Modified post-war, and of the Modified Class Starling, the single most successful U-boat hunter of the war, shown as in 1943, and Amethyst, as refitted in 1950 after her clash with Chinese Communists on the Yangtze. The technical details of British warships were recorded in a set of plans produced by the builders on completion of every ship. Known as the 'As Fitted' general arrangements, these drawings documented the exact appearance and fitting of the ship as it entered service. They were very large, more than 12 feet long for capital ships, highly detailed, annotated and labelled and drawn with exquisite skill, often in multi-coloured inks and washes. Intended to provide a permanent reference for the Admiralty and the dockyards, they represent the Acme of the draughtsman's art. Today these plans form part of the incomparable collection at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich which uses the latest scanning technology to make digital copies of the highest quality. This book is one of a series based entirely on these draughts depicting famous warships - complete sets in full colour with many close up and enlargements and extensive captions. The companion to code 91573 Armoured Cruiser Cressy. 128 very large pages including a spectacular gatefold, colour. A Pen & Sword lavish publication.
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