The three centuries that have gone by since this was written have afforded ample confirmation of the view here set forth, as to the importance of "Battailes by Sea" and the supreme value of the "Command of the Sea." Not only "we of Europe," but our kindred in America and our allies in Far Eastern Asia have now their proudly cherished memories of decisive naval victory. I propose to tell in non-technical and popular language the story of some of the most remarkable episodes in the history of sea power. I shall begin with the first sea-fight of which we have a detailed history--the Battle of Salamis (B.C. 480), the victory by which Themistocles the Athenian proved the soundness of his maxim that "he who commands the sea commands all." I shall end with the last and greatest of naval engagements, the Battle of Tsu-shima, an event that reversed the long experience of victory won by West over East, which began with Salamis more than two thousand years ago. I shall have to tell of British triumphs on the sea from Sluys to Trafalgar; but I shall take instances from the history of other countries also, for it is well that we should remember that the skill, enterprise, and courage of admirals and seamen is no exclusive possession of our own people. I shall incidentally describe the gradual evolution of the warship from the wooden, oar-driven galleys that fought in the Straits of Salamis to the steel-built, steam-propelled giants that met in battle in the Straits of Tsu-shima. I shall have something to say of old seafaring ways, and much to tell of the brave deeds done by men of many nations. These true stories of the sea will, I trust, have not only the interest that belongs to all records of courage, danger, and adventure, but also some practical lessons of their own, for they may help to keep alive that intelligent popular interest in sea power which is the best guarantee that the interests of our own navy--the best safeguard of the Empire--will not be neglected, no matter what Government is in power, or what political views may happen for the moment to be in the ascendant. J.R.H. CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION v PERIOD OF OAR AND CLOSE FIGHTING CHAPTER I. SALAMIS, B.C. 480 1 II. ACTIUM, B.C. 31 25 III. SVOLD ISLAND, A.D. 1000 40 IV. SLUYS, 1340 55 V. LEPANTO, 1571 67 PERIOD OF SAIL AND GUN VI. THE ARMADA, 1588 105 VII. OFF THE GUNFLEET, 1666 142 VIII. THE SAINTS' PASSAGE, 1782 158 IX. TRAFALGAR, 1805 173