Fanning the Coals and Forging the Weapons

Throughout the past 200 years of naval history, naval engineers have made a significant contribution to operations afloat, ashore and in the air, and many have received gallantry awards yet few of us are familiar with their stories. This comprehensive work is the first publicly available book that follows the history of the Engineering Branch of the Royal Navy, looking at how it came to be established in 1837 and then following the Branch through its challenges as it and the Navy developed, bringing the account right up to date. It is a celebration of the members of the Branch and tells the stories of many of the acts of heroism undertaken by naval engineers, including the VC won in support of the war in Crimea and all the members of the Branch who won Albert Medals and George Crosses. It links this into the changes in employment, training, status and branch structures that occurred. This book offers the opportunity to enjoy and understand this rich history, to enjoy the stories of the branch and revel in the deeds of those that came before us. As Admiral Le Bailey quoted:

In spite of all fictions to the contrary, the engineering personnel are combatants: they either sink or swim with the ship and their participation in the sinking process is attended by trials of morale of a very severe and exceptional character.

Therefore, whether you are an engineer, technician, artificer, mechanician, mechanic, torpedoman, greenie, grubber, shipwright, plumber or stoker or related to one - or just wish to understand this group of people - then I hope you enjoy this book.