The grit of the English seaman comes to light in the author's journey in a naval ambulance train, as does also the fact that the service takes the utmost care of its wounded and sick. In the account of the Royal Naval Division it is touching to note that the men who are fighting in France and who distinguished themselves so valiantly in the Ancre and other battles, still cling to sea terms or talk. The accounts in this volume may cause the people of my native country to appreciate the necessity for silence on the part of the British Admiralty, as now that their ships are linked with ours in the effort to defeat a common enemy the same idea of giving no information to the enemy even at the cost of criticism undoubtedly will be included in orders. Nevertheless, while playing the trump of silence, it is encouraging to read stories of the Navy so that the readers have certain knowledge that silence and brief reports do not mean that nothing is being accomplished. We have recently had an instance of the efficiency and courage of the officers and men in the fight between two British destroyers and half a dozen of the enemy craft, in which the Germans lost two vessels and the British none. Commanders and others greatly distinguished themselves in this conflict, which occurred in the dead of a moonless night. And the deeds of the Royal Navy are certain to be emulated by the officers and men of the United States Navy, for blood will tell. ETHEL BEATTY. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE v I. THE LOG OF A NAVAL AIRMAN 1 II. OVER THE NORTH SEA IN A SEAPLANE 10 III. ADVENTURES IN A SEAPLANE 17 IV. SWEEPING THE SEAS FOR MINES 23 V. THE ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION 32 VI. A NAVAL SCHOOL 41 VII. "GENTLEMEN, 'THE KING'" 47 VIII. THE ROYAL NAVAL AMBULANCE TRAIN 53 IX. A RUN IN A ROYAL NAVAL AMBULANCE TRAIN 60 X. A TRIP IN A SUBMARINE 67 XI. LIFE IN A LIGHTHOUSE 82 XII. WATCHERS OF THE COAST 89 XIII. CROSSING THE CHANNEL IN WAR TIME 97 SOME NAVAL YARNS SOME NAVAL YARNS I. THE LOG OF A NAVAL AIRMAN