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Recapitalizing the Fleet: A Material Analysis of Late-Nineteenth-Century U.S. Naval Power.
- Source :
-
Technology & Culture . Jan2011, Vol. 52 Issue 1, p103-126. 24p. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- This article quantitatively analyzes American naval-force structure from 1869 to 1899. It makes four arguments: first, that operational capabilities lagged behind political decisions by many years; second, that antiquated ships imposed a significant financial burden on the U.S. Navy; third, that successful fleet operations required a technologically compatible force structure; and finally, that the United States was ill-prepared to fight a major maritime war until about 1897. U.S. naval power during the Spanish-American War was thus both novel and fragile, and might have failed had it been put to the test earlier. The article also compares American naval recapitalization to other capital-intensive industries and to earlier periods in naval history, such as the galley era and the age of sail, and concludes with potential lessons for contemporary policymakers and military leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0040165X
- Volume :
- 52
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Technology & Culture
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 59648311
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1353/tech.2011.0023