In an earlier series of books the present writer told the story of the high achievements of the men of the United States Navy, from the day of Paul Jones to that of Dewey, Schley, and Sampson. It is a record Americans may well regard with pride, for in wars of defense or offense, in wars just or unjust, the American blue jacket has discharged the duty allotted to him cheerfully, gallantly, and efficiently. But there are triumphs to be won by sea and by land greater than those of war, dangers to be braved, more menacing than the odds of battle. It was a glorious deed to win the battle of Santiago, but Fulton and Ericsson influenced the progress of the world more than all the heroes of history. The daily life of those who go down to the sea in ships is one of constant battle, and the whaler caught in the ice-pack is in more direful case than the blockaded cruiser; while the captain of the ocean liner, guiding through a dense fog his colossal craft freighted with two thousand human lives, has on his mind a weightier load of responsibility than the admiral of the fleet. In all times and ages, the deeds of the men who sail the deep as its policemen or its soldiery have been sung in praise. It is time for chronicle of the high courage, the reckless daring, and oftentimes the noble self-sacrifice of those who use the Seven Seas to extend the markets of the world, to bring nations nearer together, to advance science, and to cement the world into one great interdependent whole. WILLIS JOHN ABBOT. Ann Arbor, Mich., May 1, 1902. [Illustration: NEW ENGLAND EARLY TOOK THE LEAD IN BUILDING SHIPS] List of Illustrations PAGE NEW ENGLAND EARLY TOOK THE LEAD IN BUILDING SHIPS _Frontispiece_ THE SHALLOP 2 THE KETCH 5 "THE BROAD ARROW WAS PUT ON ALL WHITE PINES 24 INCHES IN DIAMETER" 7 "THE FARMER-BUILDER TOOK HIS PLACE AT THE HELM" 8 SCHOONER-RIGGED SHARPIE 11 AFTER A BRITISH LIEUTENANT HAD PICKED THE BEST OF HER CREW 18 EARLY TYPE OF SMACK 21