Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Complete 8 Volume Set)

U. S. Navy. Edited by E. M. Eller

GPO, Naval History Division, 1959

[Association Copy: From US Naval Secretary Middendorf's Personal Library] 9 volume set. (Volume 1 bound in 2 volumes) Bound in publisher's brown cloth, with gold lettering. Hardcover. Good binding and cover. Naval Reserve Library book plates. This set was presented by the Hon. J. William Middendorf II to the Naval Reserve Association.  Middendorf was an Ambassador and Secretary of the Navy. Includes a signed letter from Dean C. Allard, Director of Naval History, to Ambassador Middendorf, presenting him with the volume. 

1. [Historical sketches - letters A through B] --v. 2. [Historical sketches - letters C through F] --v. 3. [Historical sketches - letters G through K] --v. 4. [Historical sketches - letters L through M] --v. 5. Historical sketches - letters N through Q --v. 6 Historical sketches - letters R through S --v. 7. Historical sketches - letters T through V --v. 8. Historical sketches - letters W through Z. 

The dictionary consists of an alphabetical index to over 10,000 ship histories documenting nearly every ship that the US Navy has put to sea. Continental and Confederate vessels are also included. Entries include physical information, commissioning, service record, notable actions, and decommissioning. Drawings, photographs, and documents are also included.