Hms Bristol: In a Class of Her Own

Arrived today and at first glance this book is a good starter guide to HMS Bristol, although it does seem heavily focused on its latter days as a cadet training ship.One error that really should not have escaped attention before publication is the comment on page 87 that Bristol fired two sea dart missiles on 22 May 1983. That typo really should have been picked up on before it went to press.

Not much to say about this book simply because it lacks so much. Most of the photographs, with some very questionable and ill-informed captions, are centred around the ship as she currently is (a quasi training ship in Portsmouth). In other words, very little about her less than successful service in the Royal Navy. All very disappointing. Yet another example of a missed opportunity when it comes to a detailed, objective and thorough ‘biography’ of a ship! Unfortunately, not a title this reviewer can recommend.

Excellent coverage for its size.