FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS
OR
Under Schley on the Brooklyn
Old Glory Series
BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER
AUTHOR OF "UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA" "A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA" "RICHARDDARE'S VENTURE" "OLIVER BRIGHT'S SEARCH" "TO ALASKA FOR GOLD" ETC.
ILLUSTRATED BY
A. B. SHUTE
BOSTON
LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS
1899
Copyright, 1899, by Lee and Shepard.
All Rights Reserved.
Norwood Press
J. S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith
Norwood Mass. U.S.A.
"The Flagship Began the Firing."
PREFACE
"Fighting in Cuban Waters," although a complete story in itself, formsthe third volume of the "Old Glory Series," tales depicting the variouscampaigns in our late war with Spain.
In "Under Dewey at Manila" we followed Larry Russell's adventures onboard of the flagship Olympia during the memorable contest off Cavite;in "A Young Volunteer in Cuba" we marched and fought with Ben Russell inthat notable campaign leading up to the surrender of Santiago; and inthe present volume are narrated the haps and mishaps of Walter Russell,who joins Commodore Schley's flagship, the Brooklyn, and sails withthe Flying Squadron from Hampton Roads to Key West, thence toCienfuegos, and at last succeeds in "bottling up" Admiral Cervera'sfleet in Santiago Bay. The long blockade and the various bombardmentsare described, and then follow the particulars of that masterly battleon the part of the North Atlantic Squadron which led to the totaldestruction of the Spanish warships.
Walter Russell's bravery may seem overdrawn, but such is far from beinga fact. That our sailors were heroes in those days we have but toremember the sinking of the Merrimac, the Winslow affair, and ascore of deeds of equal daring. "The hour makes the man," and theopportunity likewise makes the hero. Walter was brave, but he was nomore so than hundreds of others who stood ready to lay down their livesin the cause of humanity and for the honor of Old Glory. Like his twobrothers, his religious belief was of the practical kind, and he wentinto battle convinced that so long as he did his duty according to thedictates of his conscience, an all-wise and all-powerful Providencewould guide him and watch over him.
The author cannot refrain from saying a word about the historicalportions of the present work. They have been gleaned from the bestavailable authorities, including the reports of Admiral Sampson,Commodore Schley, and a number of captains who took part in the contest;also the personal narratives of one man who was on board the Merrimacat the time that craft was sunk, and of a number who have made theBrooklyn their home for several years past, and who will probablyremain on the pride of the Flying Squadron for some time to come.
In presenting this third volume, the author begs to thank both criticsand the public for the cordial reception accorded to the previousvolumes, and trusts that the present story will meet with equalcommendation.
EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
Newark, N.J.,
March 1, 1899.