When first published in 1967 this work by two distinguished naval historians became the standard work on the Victorian Royal Navy's fleet of small warships, which enforced the 'Pax Britannica' around the world for half a century. Since that time much additional material has come to light & has been included in this revised edition. It is worth noting that Conway, the publisher, built a reputation for the fine quality of black and white photographs used as illustrations in their book list.