Prize Courts and U-boats International Law at Sea and Economic Warfare During the First World War

This book studies the clash of international law with the introduction of the submarine to the field of naval warfare. Germany's use of the U-boat for unrestricted warfare against merchant shipping during the First World War revolutionised submarine warfare but it also doomed Germany to failure. Although Britain countered Germany with its own brand of economic warfare, the actions of both sides were at odds with existing international law. Regulatory and humanitarian aspects of international law were also found to be inadequate when faced with the revolutionary changes brought about by the U-boat. This book brings together the disciplines of military history, grand strategy and international law to provide a new perspective on the First World War at sea. (Publisher)