Great Lakes Warships 1812-1815 Lardas Mark

When war broke out in 1812, neither the United States Navy nor the Royal Navy had more than a token force on the Great Lakes. This book examines the design and development of the warships built upon the lakes during the war, emphasizing their differences from their salt-water contemporaries. However, once the shooting started, it sparked a ship-building arms race that continued throughout the war.

Released in 2012 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the outbreak of the war, this is a timely look at a small, freshwater naval war. It then goes onto cover their operational use as they were pitted against each other in a number of clashes on the lakes that often saws ships captured, re-crewed, and thrown back against their pervious owners.