Edward Keble Chatterton (1878-1944) was a sailor and prolific writer who is best known for non-fiction works. His voyages across the English Channel, to the Netherlands, around the Mediterranean and through the French canals led to many articles and books. Joining the R.N.V.R. at the outbreak of the Great War he commanded a motor launch flotilla, leaving the service as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1918 he was appointed to the Naval section of the Official History Committee, where he worked until 1922.
Unquestionably one of the most important and vivid nautical authors of the past century using both first hand accounts from the people that were there at the time, and having the opportunity to access to official documents .Chatterton recorded the maritime history of Britain at its most momentous point of change, from sail to steam, from the advent of the submarine to the carrier.
Plunging through the ocean waves with guns at the ready, the surface raiders were a disparate assemblage of ships. collected to intercept enemy supplies during the Great War, they plundered merchant vessels; boarding or sinking them for their resources. The Author had the privilege of the Admiralty's permission to examine the appropriate documents in the Admiralty archives. He also obtained information in certain cases from those who took part.