Nautical Research Journal
collection at Greenwich (the two previous volumes covered the battleship Warspite and the cruiser Birmingham). For historians, researchers, and model makers, this is an intriguing and exciting approach, since it makes access to original documentation so much easier.
T e heart of this work is the collection of full-color reproductions of the original Admiralty drawings for Victorious, from the initial design studies to the carrier’s fi nal condition aſt er a major reconstruction and later refi t. Most of these reproductions are in a large format, and there are multiple double fold-out presentations that spread the plans over four full pages (close to 48 inches). T is lavish use of space is very benefi cial to the reader, since it makes most of the intricate detail included on the original plans readily visible and decipherable, although the reproductions obviously are not as large as the originals, which could be as much as twenty feet long.
T ere is relatively minimal text: essentially a few pages of introductory and explanatory material for each section. All the drawings also are accompanied by extended captions that provide very signifi cant additional information highlighting features of the pertinent plan.
One immediate reaction is to compare this approach to the parallel Anatomy of the Ship publication (by Ross Watton) covering the same ship. Watton’s drawings clearly derive directly from the National Maritime Museum’s plans. In most instances, the Hobbs book’s presentation is much larger (and, thus, easier to study). Also, the Admiralty draſt smen’s practice of using watercolor washes oſt en clarifi es details. Nevertheless, Watton’s work also has advantages, not least the inclusion of detailed drawings of equipment and fi tting that are entirely absent from the Hobbs book. In many ways, the two works are complementary rather than adversarial.
T ere are some surprising mistakes in the ship history sections, especially when considering the author’s credentials. In particular, Hobbs confuses the chronology of Victorious’s refi ts for service in the Pacifi c with the United States Navy in 1943. He elides
over the fact that the major changes to the aſt er end of the fl ight deck were made at Norfolk Navy Yard specifi cally to enhance the ship’s operational and defensive capabilities, and he is mistaken in stating that the carrier received its American camoufl age there; photographs of Victorious immediately aſt er arrival at Pearl Harbor clearly show British camoufl age, and there is a series of offi cial United States Navy photographs taken off Hawai’i aſt er the repaint.
Overall, this is a valuable addition to the material available concerning this very important British carrier.
Mark Meyers New Bern, North Carolina
95
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