Steam Yachts at War
The Naval Deployment of British & American Armed Yachts
1898 – 1918
This book tells the story of how rich men’s playthings became weapons of war.
Steam yachts were the peacock tail-feathered, must have, luxury item of the late
nineteenth and early twentieth century. But when wars came, in 1898 and 1914, they
suddenly transformed into warships, and often their crews became warriors, not
servants.
Now at war, yachts attacked land positions and fought warships, U-boats and the
weather. They interdicted blockade runners, escorted convoys, were depot ships,
served as hospitals afloat and undertook a host of other functions.
Lavishly illustrated with photographs and plans of pre-war and wartime steam yachts
from a world now lost to view, the book tells the story of the use of private yachts in
two wars, the Spanish-American war of 1898, and the conflict of 1914-1918,
especially in the British and American navies. It examines the peacetime origins and
development of the steam yachts, and their owners and designers. And it considers
their naval usage, the conditions under which the crews lived and worked, the many
and varied duties assigned to the yachts and their success or otherwise, together
with the losses sustained.
From badge of wealth to warship to extinction, all in around sixty years; Steam
Yachts at War is a compelling story.
What The Critics Say
‘Steve Dunn’s research is prodigious and endlessly rewarding. The photographs and diagrams are superb. This is one of those books you approach like a box of luxury chocolates, plucking out the treasures and savouring each bite’.
Australian Naval Institute, November 2024
‘This is a delightful book with stories of many of the characters and their exploits. There is no doubt that the steam yachts and their crews provided invaluable service and this book is a fitting tribute.’
Peter Wykeham-Martin, Warship World
‘The amount of research and attention to detail is exhaustive and the technical details are well interspersed throughout with human interest stories. This short lived but fascinating period of seagoing history has been well served by Steve Dunn’.
South West Soundings, (South West Maritime History Society) issue 131, March 2025
‘This is a superbly interesting work, highly readable, deeply researched and well-illustrated, one for anyone’s library! Very Highly Recommended’.
The Wessex Branch of the Western Front Association
‘Just when you thought all naval topics have been covered, along comes a book about armed yachts. Enjoyed it’.
Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, March 2025
‘A major feature of the book are the pictures some printed across two pages. There is a good mixture of the vessels in their heyday, as well as those showing the incongruous addition of guns and amputated bowsprits supplemented by colour paintings, one on the dust jacket. ...it is a good read and it is recommended as a memory of a bygone age’.
The Naval Review, March 2025
‘...publisher Seaforth has produced this fine work on a long-forgotten class of civilian ship which was taken up for war more than a century ago. This new book, lavishly illustrated with photographs and plans of pre-war and wartime steam yachts from a world now lost to view, tells their story and the stories of the men who served in them.’
International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations Newsletter - The Shipmaster's International Voice, Number 86 March 2025
‘Steam Yachts at War is informative…the book is also extremely well illustrated with the 150+ photos being uniformly excellent. The inclusion of plans for six yachts is a particularly nice touch’.
National Maritime Historical Society (USA)
Available from all good booksellers, Amazon and Pen and Sword 
