The Baltic Cauldron commemorates several centuries of Anglo-Swedish relations, which, after events in Eastern Europe in 2022, have acquired a new resonance as a record of the struggle for survival and independence of nations bordering the Baltic. This is a history of navies in the Baltic Sea and its approaches, from the Skaggerak to the Gulfs of Bothnia and Finland.

This book portrays the relationship between the Swedish and British Navies over the centuries. In the 1700s Britain was a global naval power and developed doctrine, ships and culture which were copied by others, but the relationship with Sweden became special. While Britain and its navy depended upon Baltic Sea trade for timber, tar, iron and grain, the foundation was laid for the Swedish Navy, its self-image, tactics, materials and traditions.

Among the subjects addressed are: the origins of the Swedish navy; the first English fleet to visit the Baltic; Charles XII’s amphibious campaigns; the English influence on Swedish shipbuilding; the quixotic Admiral Sir Sidney Smith; Admirals Lord Nelson and James Saumarez at war and peace; and, in the 20th century, the hunt for the Bismarck, Churchill’s planned attack on arctic Luleå in 1940, and blockade-runners in the Second World War.  

This ground-breaking study is filled with new insights, and contains much previously unpublished information, some based on Swedish sources which are not often quoted in the English-speaking world. The book is brought up to date with an account of the capture by Iranian forces of Stena Impero.  Lessons in sea power are drawn throughout the book.

The Baltic Cauldron is a fitting and worthy tribute to both the Royal Navy and to the Royal Swedish Navy at its quincentenary.

This will be of immense appeal to anyone with an interest in naval and military history, the general history and the geopolitics of the Baltic region, especially in the light of Sweden’s accession to NATO.

'This book is beautifully illustrated with both colour and black and white maps, paintings and photographs chosen carefully to illustrate the topics being described. ...was delighted by the wealth of informative material I found woven around the central Baltic theme to illustrate the close relationship between the two navies. ...I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am delighted to recommend it... It has expanded my knowledge of Baltic operations and their wider influence across the centuries and my copy has already taken its place in my library'. Australian Naval Institute

'...provides an absorbing collection of essays by eminent Swedish, British and American Writers. ...a very timely and worthwhile account of what is perhaps an overlooked special relationship between two northern European nations with many interests in common'. Warships IFR

'...very well written, a good source for serious historians, but also written in a very interesting way to plainly set out the story for those who just want to be informed.' The Journal, The Honourable Company of Master Mariners

'The book comprises 21 mostly very short individually written and often quite diverse chapters which together make a string of vignettes that nicely illustrate the grand themes of the book. It is lavishly illustrated in full colour and a particular delight are the many limpid paintings of warships in the age of sail produced by one of the authors, Captain Christer Hagg. These are quite splendid in a book full of such treats. ...the editors and contributors seem to have enjoyed the process of producing the book, I enjoyed reading it and I think you would too. Recommended'. Professor Geoff Till, The Naval Review

‘…show how this wide-ranging work illuminates aspects of naval history that will often be unfamiliar to British readers’. Warship

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