a duty, and made apparent the wisdom of the
Government in calling them into active service.

W.T. SAMPSON,
Rear-Admiral, U.S.N.

U.S. FLAGSHIP "NEW YORK,"
September 3, 1898.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER
AUTHOR'S FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
PREFACE
I. IN WHICH THE "YANKEE" GOES INTO COMMISSION
II. IN WHICH WE GET UNDER WAY AT LAST
III. IN WHICH THE "YANKEE" CRUISES FOR PRIZES
IV. WE GET ORDERS TO GO SOUTH
V. A WILD GOOSE CHASE
VI. WE BECOME COAL HEATERS
VII. WE ENTER THE "THEATRE OF WAR"
VIII. WE JOIN SAMPSON'S FLEET
IX. CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION
X. WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA
XI. A PERILOUS MOMENT
XII. IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE
XIII. A NARROW ESCAPE
XIV. WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT
XV. COALING IN THE TROPICS
XVI. "REMEMBER THE FISH"
XVII. IN GOD'S COUNTRY
XVIII. THE "YANKEE" ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO
XIX. HOPE DEFERRED
XX. TAPS
APPENDIX

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

THE NAVAL RESERVES LEAVING NEW YORK--GOING OFF IN THE TUGBOAT TO
MAN THE "YANKEE"
Frontispiece

"THAT FAT MAN IN THE CELLAR WANTS ME TO SLEEP IN A BAG--"

"THE GIG WAS LOWERED"

"THE MEN ON THE STAGES"

"STAND BY, MEN. BE READY FOB INSTANT ACTION"

"THE 'YANKEE' DROPPED HER ANCHOR OFF TOMPKINSVILLE"

"WITH A FRIGHTFUL ROAR THE DEFECTIVE CARTRIDGE EXPLODED"

"THE SIX-POUNDERS ON THE 'YANKEE'S' FORECASTLE JOINED IN THE CHORUS"

"CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION!"

THE BOMBARDMENT OF MORRO CASTLE, SANTIAGO

ON THE GUN DECK DURING THE BOMBARDMENT

THE SEARCHLIGHT "SWEEPING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE BLACK OF THE HORIZON"

"THERE WAS TEMPORARY CONFUSION"

"THE FUSILLADE WAS LIVELY"

"THE SPAR DECK WAS COVERED WITH RED SHELLAC"

"THE MARINES AIRED THEIR HAMMOCKS ON THE FORECASTLE DECK"

"HE GOT HIS ORDERS FROM THE BRIDGE"

"ALL YOU MEN WHO WANT TO GO IN SWIMMING MAY DO SO"

MARCHING THROUGH CITY HALL PARK, NEW YORK CITY

PREFACE.

When the important events of the first part of April, 1898, were shaping
themselves toward an inevitable conflict between Spain and the United
States of America, the authorities at Washington began to perfect their
plans for an immediate increase of the navy. The Naval Militia of the
country, of whom Assistant Secretary Theodore Roosevelt had a very high
opinion, came in for early attention, and word was sent to the different
States to prepare for service. Several days previous to the actual
outbreak of war, messages were forwar