Live Bait: A Man, his Family and the Epic Account of the HMS Defence, of the British Grand Fleet, before and during the First Wo

On May 31st, 1916, on a windy Wednesday afternoon, on a cold and cruel North Sea, 251 dreadnought battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers and destroyers, with 100,000 sailors, marines and civilians engaged in the most destructive, most decisive sea battle of the 'Great War.' And, as expected, leading the British Grand Fleet into action again, was the old obsolete cruiser, HMS Defence. But this time, against the entire, world dominant, infamous German High Seas Fleet, this would be her greatest challenge. - In the age of super-dreadnoughts, when the country that ruled the waves ruled the world, the 'Battle of Jutland' changed the course of history. This is how the Grand Fleet was able to chase the Kaiser's superior, unsinkable battle fleet back home to stay for the remainder of the war.- But the war actually began for Bill (the author's grandfather) and his shipmates on the Mediterranean Sea, before the "Great War" broke out. There, although the many powerful German and Austrian warships rendered their flagship Defence far outgunned and under-protected, she was always expected to lead the fleet. This is how her gallant sacrifice accomplished the impossible. - Now, after more than seven years of research and development, compiled from volumes of facts, personal accounts, and family recollections, this book has become a 'first of its kind.' This is a must-read for any historian and anyone interested in a serious, important, personal glimpse into the harsh realities of war at sea and at home. 'Live Bait' is one of the most revealing, true, underdog adventures of the twentieth century. So enjoy the read, help to break this new ground, and spread the word.

Tony was born in Cornwall, England, where he resided in the small, rural village of St. Germans. In the early 1950’s, he and his mother immigrated to the United States aboard the S.S. America (tourist class). After being processed at Ellis Island, they joined his father who had accepted a job as a butler. Tony has been writing short stories, magazine articles, poems and novels. Like many, contemporary authors, his avant-garde writing style allows the reader to live in the moment.