Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 16:21-17:07

World War I emergency ship classes

A compact survey identifies the small, rapidly built vessels that best represent World War I emergency construction.

DestroyersFlower Class SloopsMonitorsWar Emergency ConstructionWorld War I
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Question

What war-emergency ship classes did the main World War I naval powers build?

Short answer

The Royal Navy's Flower-class sloops are the clearest example, while US four-stack destroyers are a debatable case and monitors and other small vessels fit the pattern more generally.

Notes

Flower-class sloops are the clearest British example, with merchant-influenced construction suited to rapid building, minesweeping, and other duties. American four-stack destroyers are a borderline case because of their higher standard, while monitors and small craft were the more usual emergency answer.