The 1897 Prize Essay for the Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute was this lengthy discussion of "Torpedo Boat Policy" by Lieutenant R.C. Smith. He began by correctly observing: "It seems probable that the United States, after many years hesitation, is about to enter on a policy of torpedo boat construction." This facsimile edition includes a tabular appendix listing all the torpedo boats in service in the world's navies as of 1897. An essential primary source for anyone interested in torpedo boats and their history. Part of the Torpedo Boat Classics series.