I am primarily interested in the US Navy but, having come across a copy of the RN's "Navy List" from October 1932, I felt I could not pass up the opportunity to post information on the world's most storied naval force.
By 1932, the Royal Navy had been forced to accept the idea of parity with the United States Navy, especially concerning capital ships, though the British still maintained an advantage in terms of cruisers and destroyers. Along with the United States, the United Kingdom had led the move for naval disarmament after World War I, and had hosted the London Conference of 1930 which had expanded on the reductions agreed to in Washington in 1922. With the effects of the Great Depression compounding the general post-war economic dificulties, the Royal Navy could no longer afford to maintain its traditional status as an overwhelmingly dominant naval force. Still, when forced into war seven years later, the Royal Navy would live up to its proud traditions.
Eventually, I hope to provide the same level of coverage as I have done for the US Navy at various points of its history, but for now I will be focusing on the forces afloat rather than the shore establishment. Since I am not an expert on the RN, there is a chance I may misread info from the Navy List - if you spot an error please contact me to let me know.
Please also visit my ROYAL NAVY IN 1906 page, uwhich provides an interesting comparison of the modern Royal Navy at the (literal) birth of the Dreadnought era. Also, it might be interesting to comapre the Royal Navy of 1932 with the United States Navy at the same date.
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