That the sea has furnished its full quota of thrilling and important conflicts in the history of mankind, standing a close second in this wise to the land, there can be no doubt; the consensus of opinion among students discloses it, the archives of nations prove it. Moreover, for spectacular exploits of both individuals and small bodies of men, the sea has ever been a leader. Its very structure is a constant threat of death or stirring adventure, presented at the most unexpected moments; and when to this peril is added the chance of encountering hostile ships, we cannot wonder that sailors have performed deeds of surpassing heroism, and accepted supreme sacrifices for the sake of their country that thrill us to the very core of our bodies.

This book tells the tale of sailors at war. Its heroes are real heroes—men who have lived, who have performed the very deeds recorded of them, so far as careful research can verify. They are not the sailors of any one country or nation, but of many countries and nations—which fact, it seems to me, really makes them no less brave and their deeds no less worthy of recounting. Valor and patriotism, no matter by whom displayed, surely ought to meet with our admiration and stir us to like deeds for our own people and our own country.