Ships Burned

Ships Burned explores the underappreciated history of deliberately destroying ships in naval warfare, revealing how burning and scuttling vessels often served as calculated strategic decisions rather than desperate acts. This book illuminates how these actions shaped conflicts and altered naval history. One intriguing fact is that burning ships were used offensively as fire ships to devastate enemy fleets, while scuttling served defensively to deny resources and preserve strategic advantages. This approach of destruction was as vital as construction in naval strategy. The book examines the tactical use of fire and the strategic value of scuttling across different eras. Starting from ancient times, it progresses through the age of sail, highlighting the rise of fire ships and sophisticated scuttling techniques. It then analyzes ship burning in modern conflicts, including both World Wars. Ships Burned draws from historical documents, archaeological findings, and naval analysis to offer a comprehensive understanding of why ships were intentionally destroyed.