Chapter I: Front Matter

Dewey in the War with Spain. 35

CHAPTER IV.

The Revolutionary Battles--Birth of the American Navy--The Privateers--Capture of New Providence, in the Bahamas--Paul Jones--A Clever Exploit--A Skilful Escape--Fine Seamanship--An Audacious Scheme. 52

CHAPTER V.

A Daring Attempt by Captain Paul Jones--Why It Failed--A Bold Scheme--Why It Did Not Succeed--The Fight Between the _Ranger_ and _Drake_. 63

CHAPTER VI.

One of the Most Memorable Sea Fights Ever Known--The Wonderful Exploit of Captain Paul Jones. 71

CHAPTER VII.

Our Naval War with France--The Tribute Paid to the Barbary States by Christian Nations--War Declared Against the United States by Tripoli--Bainbridge, Decatur, Stewart, Dale and Preble. 88

CHAPTER VIII.

The First Serious Engagement--Loss of the _Philadelphia_--The Scheme of Captain Bainbridge--Exploit of Lieutenant Decatur. 97

CHAPTER IX.

Bombardment of Tripoli--Treacherous Act of a Turkish Captain--A Quick Retribution at the Hands of Captain Decatur. 108

CHAPTER X.

The Bomb Ketch--A Terrible Missile--Frightful Catastrophe--Diplomacy in Place of War--Peace. 114

CHAPTER XI.

The War of 1812--Cause of the War of 1812--Discreditable Work of the Land Forces--Brilliant Record of the Navy--The _Constitution_--Captain Isaac Hull--Battle Between the _Constitution_ and _Guerriere_--Winning a Wager. 122

CHAPTER XII.

Jacob Jones--The _Wasp_ and the _Frolic_--James Biddle--The _Hornet_ and the _Penguin_--A Narrow Escape. 133

CHAPTER XIII.

Captains Carden and Decatur--Cruise of the _Macedonian_--Battle with the Frigate _United States_--Decatur's Chivalry. 142

CHAPTER XIV.

Occasional American Defeats as Well as Victories--Captain Decatur's Misfortune--The _Chesapeake_ and _Shannon_. 152

CHAPTER XV.

David Porter--A Clever Feat--Numerous Captures by the _Essex_--Her Remarkable Cruise in the Pacific--Her Final Capture. 167

CHAPTER XVI.

Oliver Hazard Perry--Prompt and Effective Work--"We Have Met the Enemy and They Are Ours"--Death of Perry. 176

CHAPTER XVII.

A Hero of the Olden Days--Cruise of the _Constitution_--Her Capture of the _Cyane_ and _Levant_--Reminiscences of Admiral Stewart--His Last Days. 185

CHAPTER XVIII.

Captures Made After the Signing of the Treaty of Peace--The Privateers--Exploit of the _General Armstrong_--Its Far-Reaching Result. 197

CHAPTER XIX.

Lesser Wars--Resentment of the Barbary States--The War with Algiers--Captain Decatur's Vigorous Course--His Astonishing Success as a Diplomat. 206

CHAPTER XX.

Piracy in the West Indies--Its Cause--Means by Which It Was Wiped Out--Piracy in the Mediterranean. 216

CHAPTER XXI.

The Qualla Battoo Incident. 226

CHAPTER XXII.

Wilkes's Exploring Expedition. 236

CHAPTER XXIII.

The War for the Union--A New Era for the United States Navy--Opening of the Great Civil War--John Lorimer Worden--Battle Between the _Monitor_ and _Merrimac_--Death of Worden. 246

CHAPTER XXIV.

Two Worthy Sons--William D. Porter--The Career of Admiral David Dixon Porter. 259

CHAPTER XXV.

Charles Stewart Boggs--His Coolness in the Presence of Danger--His Desperate Fight Below New Orleans--His Subsequent Services. 271

CHAPTER XXVI.

John Ancrum Winslow--His Early Life and Training--The Famous Battle Between the _Kearsarge_ and _Alabama_. 279

CHAPTER XXVII.

An Unexpected Preacher--Andrew Hull Foote--His Character and Early Career--His Brilliant Services in the War for the Union. 295

CHAPTER XXVIII.

A Man Devoid of Fear--William Barker Cushing--Some of His Exploits--The Blowing Up of the _Albemarle_--His Sad Death. 312

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Greatest of Naval Heroes--David Glasgow Farragut. 327

CHAPTER XXX.

The Spanish-American War--The Movement Against Cuba--The Destruction of Cervera's Fleet--Admiral Sampson--Admiral Schley--"Fighting Bob" Evans--Commodore John C. Watson--Commodore John W. Philip--Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright. 343