If all our history is an inspiration, our naval history is specially so. It is full of thrilling tales, stories of desperate deeds and noble valor which no work of fiction can surpass. We are sure that all who take up this book will find it vital with interest and brimming with inspiration. Its tales deal with men who fought for their land with only a plank between them and death, and none among us can read the story of their deeds without a thrill in the nerves and a stir in the heart, and without a wish that sometime they may be able to do as much for the land that gave them birth. This is a book for the American boy to read, and the American girl as well; a book to fill them with the spirit of emulation and make them resolve that when the time comes they will act their part bravely in the perilous work of the world. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE FIRST SEA FIGHT OF THE REVOLUTION. The Burning of the "Gaspee" in Narragansett Bay 1 CHAPTER II A BRITISH SCHOONER CAPTURED BY FARMERS. Captain Jerry O'Brien Leads the Patriots of 1775 11 CHAPTER III BENEDICT ARNOLD, THE SOLDIER-SAILOR. A Novel Fight on Lake Champlain 21 CHAPTER IV CAPTAIN PAUL JONES. The Greatest of America's Naval Heroes 32 CHAPTER V HOW PAUL JONES WON RENOWN. The First Great Fight of the American Navy 44 CHAPTER VI CAPTAIN BUSHNELL SCARES THE BRITISH. The Pioneer Torpedo Boat and the Battle of the Kegs 60 CHAPTER VII CAPTAIN BARRY AND HIS ROWBOATS WIN A VICTORY OVER THE BRITISH. A Gallant Naval Hero of Irish Blood 70 CHAPTER VIII CAPTAIN TUCKER HONORED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON. The Daring Adventures of the Hero of Marblehead 81 CHAPTER IX THE LAST NAVAL BATTLE OF THE REVOLUTION. The Heroic Captain Barney in the "Hyder Ali" Captures the "General Monk" 90 CHAPTER X THE MOORISH PIRATES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. OUR NAVY TEACHES THEM A LESSON IN HONOR 99 CHAPTER XI THE YOUNG DECATUR AND HIS BRILLIANT DEEDS AT TRIPOLI. How Our Navy Began and Ended a Foreign War 108 CHAPTER XII THE GALLANT OLD "IRONSIDES" AND HOW SHE CAPTURED THE "GUERRIERE." A Famous Incident of the War of 1812 126 CHAPTER XIII A FAMOUS VESSEL SAVED BY A POEM. "Old Ironsides" Wins New Glory 140 CHAPTER XIV THE FIGHT OF CAPTAIN JACOB JONES. The Lively Little "Wasp" and How She Stung the "Frolic" 155 CHAPTER XV CAPTAIN LAWRENCE DIES FOR THE FLAG. His Words, "Do not give up the ship," Become the Famous Motto of the American Navy 166 CHAPTER XVI COMMODORE PERRY WHIPS THE BRITISH ON LAKE ERIE. "We have met the enemy and they are ours" 176