This Front Cover was produced by the transcriber
and is in the public domain.
BURNING OF THE NIGHT HAWK. Frontispiece.
A German admiral has remarked that the mostvaluable naval history lies in the despatchesand logs of naval officers. Our own NavyRecord Society by the line it has takenthoroughly endorses this view, and has committeditself to the teaching of naval historyfrom the mouths of the men who made it.
Mr. Taylor's work then must not be takenas a mere record of personal adventure, howeverabsorbing it be found from this point ofview. As a picture of exciting escapes, ofcoolness and resource at moments of acutedanger, of well-calculated risks, boldly acceptedand obstinately carried through, it has fewrivals in recent sea-story: but its deeper valuedoes not lie here. Over and above itsromantic interest it will be recognised bystudents of the naval art as a real and solidcontribution to history; for it presents to usfrom the pen of a principal actor the mostcomplete account we have of a great blockadein the days of steam.
The important part that blockade plays innaval warfare is a thing hardly recognisedoutside professional ranks. For the generalreader, the grand manœuvres of a great fleetin chase of the enemy and the stirring hoursof some decisive action throw into oblivionthe tedious months of dull, anxious, and exhaustingwork with which by far the greaterpart of the war is taken up. Yet it is hardlytoo much to say that during the most gloriousperiod of our maritime history nine-tenths ofthe energies of our admirals were devoted toblockade. In the future it is possible thatit will take even a higher place. ShouldEngland become engaged with a first-rateforeign power, single-handed, it is a recognisedfact amongst naval strategists that in a weekshe could close every one of her enemy's portsand have a fleet free to reduce at its leisureeverything he held beyond the seas. Withalmost any two Powers against her it is probableshe could do as much: and it is therecognition of this power abroad which givesEngland, in spite of her military weakness,so commanding a position in Europe.
The importance then of studying everyscrap of information on the subject in order toperfect our knowledge of the art of blockadecannot be exaggerated, and Mr. Taylor'ssimple and straightforward record of his experiencesmay claim to be perhaps the fullestcontribution to the subject that