Naval battles of the world; great and decisive contests on the sea; causes and results of ocean victories and defeats, marine warfare and armament in all ages from the Greek and Persian conflict at Salamis ... to ... the Japan-Russia war

Preface

Naval warfare has contributed a vast quota of the genuinely memorable events of history. The navies of all times and of all lands have contributed generously to the heroes whose names go down from generation, models for the young, inspiration for men of every age. The attempt in this volume has been to collect from all the vast bulk of old world's naval history, an orderly array of the great battles which have left their impress iipon the scroll of time. The result is a series of wonderfully impressive descriptions, characterized by historical accuracy, and covering a period from the Battle of Salamis, B. C. 480, to the great naval struggles between Japan and Russia in the Orient which have swept the fleets of the latter country from the seas. How twenty-five centuries have revolutionized the art of war is strikingly shown when the heroes of Salamis are described winning deathless renown in their oar-propelled vessels, and the Japanese to-day, reach the same altitude of fame in vast floating fortresses of steel.

As the narrative unfolds, sooner or later the patriotic pride of all races of men is aroused by descriptions of historical episodes under the flag of their Fatherland.

The blood of brave men of all time has quickened at the telling of tales of valor. The author has laid bare a veritable Golconda from the world's naval annals worthy the wade perusal it is sure to have. Howe and Nelson, alone have been themes for scores of volumes. As a fitting prelude to the great struggle between Russia and Japan which has carried the annals of warfare into the opening years of the Twentieth Century, the story of the Chinese-Japanese war is brought within reach of the average reader, ready to know the facts but unwilling to seek far afield to know of events so remote.

PREFACE.

A decade separated that struggle from the great war which began in the Orient in February, 1904. Off Port Arthur splendid additions to the total of valorous battling at sea have been made. In detail the events are described which ultimately led to the destruction of Russia's powerful fleet that was thought to hold beyond cjuestion, mastery of Oriental seas.

The volume in generously illustrated with scenes, themselves highly educational in portraying the evolution of ships of war, of weapons and armaments in general. For the older battles the masterpieces of world-famed artists have been reproduced. For the more recent struggles both the pencil and brush of the artist and the sharp eye of the camera have been requisitioned. The result is a feature of graphic interest and of incalculable value in aiding the imagination as the battles are described. The volume in every sense is believed to be a valuable addition to the literature of naval warfare.

More than that, it is designed to bring this vast bulk of information, truly educational in many of its details, within the ready grasp of the busy man and woman whose hours for reading are necessarily few in number. The author has truly presented the "essence of history".

The Publishers.