
ILLUSTRATIONS
CHAPTER I THE CALL OF DUTY OVERSEAS
CHAPTER II “LAFAYETTE, WE ARE HERE!”
CHAPTER III AT SEA WITH THE BRETON PATROL
CHAPTER IV TRAGEDIES AND RESCUES
CHAPTER V WHEN THE ANTILLES WENT DOWN
CHAPTER VI ADMIRAL WILSON COMES TO BREST
CHAPTER VII SMASHED BY A HURRICANE
CHAPTER VIII THE PLEASANT INTERLUDE AT LISBON
CHAPTER IX UNCLE SAM’S BRIDGE OF SHIPS
Aboard the destroyer‑type cruiser USS Corsair, the story follows a tight‑knit crew as they plunge into the chaotic early months of the Atlantic war. From a daring rescue of the sinking California to the relentless rhythm of convoy duty, readers hear the clang of gun crews, the hum of engineering “black gangs,” and the humor that steadies men as storms and submarines close in. Through vivid snapshots of life on deck—fourth‑of‑July races, hurried meals, and impromptu friendships with rescued sailors—the narrative paints a portrait of ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
The book also captures the harsh realities of naval warfare: depth‑charge volleys, mine‑laying missions, and the constant threat of U‑boats that turn each night into a waiting game. When a sudden hurricane forces the Corsair into Lisbon for emergency repairs, the crew’s resilience shines amid battered hulls and makeshift fixes. All the while, letters from home and moments of quiet camaraderie remind listeners why these “sea dogs” kept sailing forward.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (464K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Boston: Houghton Mifflin company, 1920.
Credits
Bob Taylor, Peter Becker and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2024-01-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1871–1925
A popular early-20th-century American writer, he was best known for vivid sea stories, adventure novels, and historical writing shaped by his years as a journalist. His books mix brisk storytelling with a strong feel for ships, travel, and public life.
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