The First World War marked the last moment of Britain as the global naval superpower, and its Grand Fleet at the time was the most powerful that the world had ever seen. This fully illustrated edition explores its fighting might. At the outset of the First World War, the forces of the Royal Navy were unified into a single entity, the Grand Fleet, and were stationed at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys.

The Grand Fleet was the largest concentration of modern naval power the world had ever seen, with over 30 dreadnought battleships or battleships and a plethora of light ships and cruisers. In 1917, it was further bolstered by a strong American squadron. In this book, naval expert Angus Konstam evaluates the ships, technology, organization, command, and intelligence of the Grand Fleet, as well as the way it fought.

Although ship for ship, its German opponents were better designed, as a combined naval force, Admiral Jellicoe's fleet was unstoppable. It participated in many engagements against the German adversary during the war, but it was only at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 that Jellicoe finally had the chance to destroy the enemy. Although the High Seas Fleet successfully avoided the trap set for it, the economic blockade of the Grand Fleet began to hit hard, leading to Germany's surrender in November 1918.

Filled with battle diagrams, stunning artwork, and archival photographs, this book is an essential guide to the last time the Royal Navy would undoubtedly be the most powerful force in the world.