"A Little Ship" by Taffrail.

[GPaulC]

I picked this book up in a second hand bookshop. Haven't read it yet but glancing through it it looks like a WW I Cruel Sea. Taffrail is a nom de plume for a naval officer or recognised historian but I do not know who. Does anyone out there know anything about this book or "Taffrail"?

[bengtsson]

I picked this book up in a second hand bookshop. Haven't read it yet but glancing through it it looks like a WW I Cruel Sea. Taffrail is a nom de plume for a naval officer or recognised historian but I do not know who. Does anyone out there know anything about this book or "Taffrail"?

Yes, That is Captain Taprell Dorling, D.S.O, Royal Navy

"A Little Ship" 1918 is one of many shorter Naval Stories and Reminiscences written between 1916-1919

Do you think your book "A Little Ship" is fiction or non-fiction?

I have recently read Taffrail's "Endless Story" a work on the war actions of Destroyers and Torpedo Boats of the RN with a chapter on USN Destroyers operating in Europe. A first rate book, with a clear section on the Jutland actions, making that confusing action pretty easy to understand. Look for a copy on booksearch sites if it sounds interesting

He also produced alot of Naval Novels.

Bob B.

[GPaulC]

I suspect a bit of both. Probably describes real events but fictionalises the names of officers/men who would still have been serving. And perhaps ascribes the actions of several different ships to one 'hero', the little ship of the title.

If you are familiar with fiction based on the Western Desert Campaign of 1940-43 then I think Cyril Jolly's "Take these Men" would be the most apt comparison.

[bengtsson]

I suspect a bit of both. Probably describes real events but fictionalises the names of officers/men who would still have been serving. .

Yes, I think I understand the type of book you mean. I have just such a book on the WWII Royal Navy called "Lower Deck" by Lieutenant John Davies, R.N.V.R.
He writes about the guns crew on a R.N. Destoyer which he gives a fictional name. Admiral Sir James Somerville writes the forward to the book and says the real ship served under him for a time in Force H. The author uses his experince of the lower deck seamen to tell their story at war. Some fiction based on real experince I think. A very good read. Have you ever heard of this book?

Bob B.

[GPaulC]

Yes I've heard of it but I have never seen a copy. Now that you have recommended it I'll look out for it. "The Ship" by C S Forrester is another good read. It is about a fictional cruiser action between the Royal Navy and the Regia Marina early in the war in the Med.