Sea Power and Maritime Affairs Lesson : Developments of Naval Technology and Strategy,

Enabling Objectives DESCRIBE principal milestones in the evolution of warship armament, hull design, and propulsion during the period DESCRIBE principal milestones in the evolution of warship armament, hull design, and propulsion during the period DESCRIBE technological responses of the major naval powers to counter the threats of low cost weapons.DESCRIBE technological responses of the major naval powers to counter the threats of low cost weapons. DISTINGUISH Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's viewpoint of sea power as a geopolitical and naval concept to British naval theorist Sir Julian Corbett.DISTINGUISH Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's viewpoint of sea power as a geopolitical and naval concept to British naval theorist Sir Julian Corbett. EXPLAIN Alfred Thayer Mahan's influence on European and American naval history between 1890 and 1898.EXPLAIN Alfred Thayer Mahan's influence on European and American naval history between 1890 and 1898.

Immediately after Civil War the US was a leader in evolutionary development of naval ships.Immediately after Civil War the US was a leader in evolutionary development of naval ships. –700 Ships mounting 5,000 guns, 6K officers and 51K enlisted. Outdated concepts and beliefs in tradition and desire to avoid competition lead to decline.Outdated concepts and beliefs in tradition and desire to avoid competition lead to decline. – By 1870, US Naval power had declined due to Congressional budget cuts. –Large reductions in naval appropriations: 52 ships mounting 500 guns. Isolationism:Isolationism: Reconstruction of the nation in SouthReconstruction of the nation in South Settlement of the WestSettlement of the West Industrialization of the Northeast.Industrialization of the Northeast. Post-Civil War U.S. Navy

Evolution of the Warship Construction materialsConstruction materials – Steel hulls replace iron hulls. CompartmentalizationCompartmentalization Protective decks.Protective decks. Vulnerable areas get more armor.Vulnerable areas get more armor. Muzzle loaders to breech loaders.Muzzle loaders to breech loaders. Rifled guns.Rifled guns.

Ship Propulsion Innovations More efficient steam engines developed.More efficient steam engines developed. –Increases in speed. –Longer ranges. –Coaling stations required at regular intervals while transiting overseas. Further incentive to acquire overseas colonies.Further incentive to acquire overseas colonies. Many ships still use sail as alternate means of propulsion.Many ships still use sail as alternate means of propulsion. –Hybrids with stacks and sails. – Congress barely appropriated enough to keep existing ships afloat.

Evolution of Armaments Muzzle loaders to breech loaders.Muzzle loaders to breech loaders. Rifled guns.Rifled guns. Cartridge shells.Cartridge shells. –Round and charge are combined. –Rate of fire increases. –Greater penetrating power and range. Mounting of guns.Mounting of guns. –Hydraulic recoil mechanisms. Self-propelled torpedo:Self-propelled torpedo: –Invented by Englishman Robert Whitehead in 1866.

Low Cost Weapons Weapons cost were cheap in comparison to cost to repair ships.Weapons cost were cheap in comparison to cost to repair ships. –Rams – Affixed to ships intended to breach another ships hull. – Mines - Stationary torpedoes to protect coastlines and ports. – Self - propelled torpedoes launched from “torpedo boats”. First one 1866 by Robert Whitehead First one 1866 by Robert Whitehead

Countermeasures to low cost weapons 1898 New ship types:1898 New ship types: – Bainbridge Class – 420 ton coal burners – “Torpedo boat destroyer” shortened to just “destroyer” – All served in WWI Navy Historical Center

Cruisers New classes anti- destroyer cruisers.New classes anti- destroyer cruisers. – Swift and lightly armored 4.7 – 6 inch guns4.7 – 6 inch guns –Protect capital ships from destroyers. Slower armoredSlower armored 4.7 – 6 inch as well as larger guns4.7 – 6 inch as well as larger guns

Submarines Used to launch torpedoUsed to launch torpedo First Practical submarine by France 1864First Practical submarine by France 1864 Modern submarines overcome problemsModern submarines overcome problems –1880s: Electric engines powered by batteries. –1890s: Gyroscopes U.S.S. Holland (SS1) October 12th, 1900.U.S.S. Holland (SS1) October 12th, 1900.

Rebirth of the U.S. Navy Naval Institute established by naval officers Naval Institute established by naval officers –Proceedings - professional journal for naval personnel. Naval funding begins to increase in 1880.Naval funding begins to increase in ABCD cruisers - construction begins in 1883.ABCD cruisers - construction begins in – Steam (Sail used as secondary means of propulsion). – Steel hulls and heavy armor. – Rifled breech-loading guns. Battleships - construction begins in 1889.Battleships - construction begins in Office of Naval Intelligence established Office of Naval Intelligence established Engineering Duty Officers enter the Line Engineering Duty Officers enter the Line – Increased importance of technical knowledge is apparent.

Naval War College Established in1885 in Newport, RI.Established in1885 in Newport, RI. Commodore Stephen B. Luce:Commodore Stephen B. Luce: – “Apply modern scientific methods to the study and raise naval warfare from the empirical stage to the dignity of a science.” Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan is one of the first instructors to serve under Luce. Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan is one of the first instructors to serve under Luce.

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, Published in 1890Published in 1890 Geopolitical principles underlying national (and maritime) greatness:Geopolitical principles underlying national (and maritime) greatness: – Geographic Position – Physical Conformation – Extent of Territory – Size of Population – Character of the People – Character of the Government

Mahan’s Principles A strong Navy is a mark of and prerequisite for national greatness.A strong Navy is a mark of and prerequisite for national greatness. U.S. needs to build a battleship navy capable of defeating enemy fleets.U.S. needs to build a battleship navy capable of defeating enemy fleets. Maintain naval strength during peacetime.Maintain naval strength during peacetime. Acquire Colonies for coaling stations.Acquire Colonies for coaling stations. – Vital to a steam-driven battleship navy. Ideas strongly appeals to:Ideas strongly appeals to: –- Industrialists- Merchants –- Nationalists- Imperialists

Mahan’s Strategic Questions What is a navy’s function?What is a navy’s function? – Answer: Command of the seas. How should a navy be deployed?How should a navy be deployed? – Answer: Capital ships concentrated in Battle fleets. Where should the coaling stations needed to support them be established?Where should the coaling stations needed to support them be established? – Answer: Near geographic "choke-points”. What is the value of commerce destruction, and should this be a primary or secondary goal of naval action?What is the value of commerce destruction, and should this be a primary or secondary goal of naval action? – Answer: It cannot win wars (CSS Alabama) -- secondary mission.

Some Principles of Maritime Strategy, 1911 –Interdependence of all elements of national power. –Control of the seas important but not enough to win wars. –On land, not the sea is where man kinds destiny is decided Sir Julian Corbett

Mahan vs. Corbett Seapower/Maritime Strategy Alfred Thayer MahanAlfred Thayer Mahan –The Influence of Sea Power on History (1890) –Control of the seas through naval supremacy and maritime commerce –A nations power is in its navies and their ability to project that power on others –Navies win wars. Sir Julian CorbettSir Julian Corbett –Some Principles of Maritime Strategy (1911) –Interdependence of all elements of national power- Control of the seas important but not enough. –Sea Control ultimately influences what happens on land. –On land, not the sea is where man kinds destiny is decided

Impact of Mahan Validates naval and colonial policies of European powers, Russian Empire, and Japan.Validates naval and colonial policies of European powers, Russian Empire, and Japan. –Increasing naval arms race in Europe until World War I, especially between Germany and Great Britain. Building large fleets of capital ships in late 1800’s.Building large fleets of capital ships in late 1800’s. Writings become required reading of naval officers.Writings become required reading of naval officers. United StatesUnited States – Not as quick to accept Mahan’s teachings as other countries. – President Theodore Roosevelt will use them as the foundation of his naval policy in the early 1900’s.

Battle History Video "Born Into War", Time 21: :40"Born Into War", Time 21: :40 4 minutes4 minutes

Enabling Objectives DESCRIBE principal milestones in the evolution of warship armament, hull design, and propulsion during the period DESCRIBE principal milestones in the evolution of warship armament, hull design, and propulsion during the period DESCRIBE technological responses of the major naval powers to counter the threats of low cost weapons.DESCRIBE technological responses of the major naval powers to counter the threats of low cost weapons. DISTINGUISH Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's viewpoint of sea power as a geopolitical and naval concept to British naval theorist Sir Julian Corbett.DISTINGUISH Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's viewpoint of sea power as a geopolitical and naval concept to British naval theorist Sir Julian Corbett. EXPLAIN Alfred Thayer Mahan's influence on European and American naval history between 1890 and 1898.EXPLAIN Alfred Thayer Mahan's influence on European and American naval history between 1890 and 1898.

Discussion Questions? Naval Historical Center