A Merchant Fleet at War

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hurd, Archibald, 1869-1959

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"A Merchant Fleet at War" by Archibald Hurd is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work seeks to document the crucial role played by the British Merchant Navy during World War I, emphasizing the significance of sea power in warfare and the contributions of merchant sailors in both transporting troops and supplies, as well as their involvement in combat. It highlights the war experiences of various Cunard vessels and their crews, alongside a broader narrative about maritime strategy. The opening of the book sets a reflective tone, introducing readers to the historical context of Britain's maritime activities before and during the Great War. It explains the challenges faced in documenting the merchants' contributions during wartime, where many sailors would rather let their actions speak for themselves. Hurd acknowledges the valor of these individuals, asserting that their deeds are vital to understanding the impact of Britain's maritime strength in preserving its empire and contributing to the war effort. As the introduction transitions into the narrative, the author begins recounting specific incidents and developments related to the Cunard fleet, particularly during their transition to wartime roles. This establishes a foundation for detailed accounts of the ships and their crews as the book progresses. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Foreword

Mobilisation

Combatant Cunarders

Carrying on

The ordeal of the "Lusitania"

The toll of the submarines

Shore work for the services.

Credits:

deaurider, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 50.7 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

A record of the Cunard steamship company's part in World War I.

Release date is 2021-07-04