The Third Naval Age

Listen to "The Third Naval Age"

The Naval Ages: Galleys, Sails, Steam, Missiles. This episode focuses on the third naval age, the Naval Age of Steam.

The Third Naval age began with ironclad battleships, also known as pre-dreadnoughts, which effectively used artillery guns, iron plating, and steam power. The keynote war of this naval era is the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), specifically the Battles of Tsushima Strait and Port Arthur.

Once the HMS Dreadnought was created, the dreadnought battleship era of the Naval Age of Steam began. This era would last until WWII. The keynote battle of this era was the Battle of Jutland in WWI.

The Third Naval Age ended in WWII as a result of the aircraft carrier, which replaced battleships as the principle ship of the fleet.

For more information, read:
Dictionary of Battles by David Chandler
World Civilizations: 9th Edition
The Pacific War Companion by Daniel Marston
Europe at War: A "Red Book" of the Greatest War of History
Submarine by Drew Middleton

Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine and International Reserach and Publishing Corporation