CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER | ||
| [INTRODUCTION] | ||
| [I] | Admiral George Dewey—The Birth and Boyhood ofGeorge Dewey. | |
| [II] | Dewey in the War for the Union. | |
| [III] | Dewey in the War with Spain. | |
| [THE REVOLUTIONARY BATTLES] | ||
| [IV] | Birth of the American Navy—ThePrivateers—Capture of New Providence, inthe Bahamas—Paul Jones—A Clever Exploit—ASkilful Escape—Fine Seamanship—An AudaciousScheme. | |
| [V] | A Daring Attempt by Captain Paul Jones—Why ItFailed—A Bold Scheme—Why It Did Not Succeed—TheFight Between the Ranger and Drake. | |
| [VI] | One of the Most Memorable Sea Fights Ever Known—TheWonderful Exploit of Captain Paul Jones. | |
| [VII] | Our Naval War with France—The Tribute Paid to theBarbary States by Christian Nations—War DeclaredAgainst the United States by Tripoli—Bainbridge,Decatur, Stewart, Dale and Preble. | |
| [VIII] | The First Serious Engagement—Loss of thePhiladelphia—The Scheme of Captain Bainbridge—Exploitof Lieutenant Decatur. | |
| [IX] | Bombardment of Tripoli—Treacherous Act of aTurkish Captain—A Quick Retribution at the Hands of Captain Decatur. | |
| [X] | The Bomb Ketch—A Terrible Missile—FrightfulCatastrophe—Diplomacy in Place of War—Peace. | |
| [THE WAR OF 1812] | ||
| [XI] | Cause of the Warof 1812—Discreditable Work of the Land Forces—Brilliant Record of theNavy—The Constitution—Captain Isaac Hull—BattleBetween the Constitution and Guerriere—Winning a Wager. | |
| [XII] | Jacob Jones—The Wasp and the Frolic—JamesBiddle—The Hornet and the Penguin—A Narrow Escape. | |
| [XIII] | Captains Carden and Decatur—Cruise of theMacedonian—Battle with the Frigate United States—Decatur'sChivalry. | |
| [XIV] | Occasional American Defeats as Well as Victories—CaptainDecatur's Misfortune—The Chesapeake and Shannon. | |
| [XV] | David Porter—A Clever Feat—Numerous Captures by theEssex—Her Remarkable Cruise in the Pacific—Her Final Capture. | |
| [XVI] | Oliver Hazard Perry—Prompt and Effective Work—"WeHave Met the Enemy and They Are Ours"—Death of Perry. | |
| [XVII] | A Hero of the Olden Days—Cruise of theConstitution— Her Capture of the Cyane and Levant—Reminiscencesof Admiral Stewart—His Last Days. | |
| [XVIII] | Captures Made After the Signing of the Treaty ofPeace—The Privateers—Exploit of the GeneralArmstrong—Its Far-Reaching Result. | |
| [LESSER WARS] | ||
| [XIX] | Resentment of the Barbary States—TheWar with Algiers—Captain Decatur's Vigorous Course—His Astonishing Success as a Diplomat. | |
| [XX] | Piracy in the West Indies—Its Cause—Meansby Which It Was Wiped Out—Piracy in the Mediterranean. | |
| [XXI] | The Qualla Battoo Incident. | |
| [XXII] | Wilkes's Exploring Expedition. | |
| [THE WAR FOR THE UNION] | ||
| [XXIII] | A New Era for the UnitedStates Navy—Opening of the Great Civil War—John Lorimer Worden—BattleBetween the Monitor and Merrimac—Death of Worden. | |
| [XXIV] | Two Worthy Sons—William D. Porter—TheCareer of Admiral David Dixon Porter. | |
| [XXV] | Charles Stewart Boggs—His Coolness inthe Presence of Danger—His Desperate Fight Below New Orleans—HisSubsequent Services. | |
| [XXVI] | John Ancrum Winslow—His Early Life andTraining—The Famous Battle Between the Kearsargeand Alabama. | |
| [XXVII] | An Unexpected Preacher—Andrew Hull Foote—HisCharacter and Early Career—His Brilliant Services in the War for the Union. | |
| [XXVIII] | A Man Devoid of Fear—William Barker Cushing—Someof His Exploits—The Blowing Up of the Albemarle—His Sad Death. | |
| [XXIX] | The Greatest of Naval Heroes—David Glasgow Farragut. | |
| [THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR] | ||
| [XXX] | The Movement AgainstCuba—The Destruction of Cervera's Fleet—Admiral Sampson—AdmiralSchley—"Fighting Bob" Evans—Commodore John C. Watson—CommodoreJohn W. Philip—Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright. |
INTRODUCTION
I purpose telling you in the following pages about the exploits of the gallant men who composed the American Navy, beginning with the Revolution and ending with the story of their wonderful deeds in our late war with Spain. You can never read a more interesting story, nor one that will make you feel prouder of your birthright. While our patriot armies have done nobly, it is none the less true that we never could have become one of the greatest nations in the world without the help of our heroic navy. Our warships penetrated into all waters of the globe, and made people, whether barbarous or civilized, respect and fear the Stars and Stripes.
This is due in a great measure to the bravery of our naval heroes, who did not fear to meet Great Britain, the "mistress of the seas," when her navy outnumbered ours one hundred to one. England is now our best friend, and no doubt will always remain so. Never again can there be war between her and us, and it will not be strange that one of these days, if either gets into trouble, the American and English soldiers will "drink from the same canteen," which is another way of saying they will fight side by side, as they did a short time ago in Samoa. All the same, our brethren across the ocean are very willing to own that we fought them right well. Indeed, they think all the more of us for having done so. You know that one brave man always likes another who is as brave as himself, just as Northerners and Southerners love each other, and are all united under one flag, which one side defended and the other fought against, through long years, terrible years from 1861 to 1865.
The decks of no ships have ever been trodden by braver men than our American sailors. There are no more heroic deeds in all history than those of Paul Jones, Porter, Hull, Decatur, Perry, Cushing, Farragut, Worden, Dewey, Schley, Evans, Philip, Hobson and scores of others, who have braved what seemed certain death for the glory of our flag. Many gave up their lives in its defence, and their names form one of the proudest and most cherished heritages that can descend to a grateful country.
So, I repeat, I am sure you will be interested and instructed in learning the story of the heroes who have done so much for us; and their example cannot fail to inspire you with loftier heroism, greater devotion, and deeper resolve to do all you can for our favored land, which is the fairest that ever sun shone upon.
E.S.E.