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" "RICHARD DARE'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.

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"The Flagship Began the Firing."

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PREFACE

"Fighting in Cuban Waters," although a complete story in itself, forms the third volume of the "Old Glory Series," tales depicting the various campaigns in our late war with Spain.

In "Under Dewey at Manila" we followed Larry Russell's adventures on board of the flagship Olympia during the memorable contest off Cavite; in "A Young Volunteer in Cuba" we marched and fought with Ben Russell in that notable campaign leading up to the surrender of Santiago; and in the present volume are narrated the haps and mishaps of Walter Russell, who joins Commodore Schley's flagship, the Brooklyn, and sails with the Flying Squadron from Hampton Roads to Key West, thence to Cienfuegos, and at last succeeds in "bottling up" Admiral Cervera's fleet in Santiago Bay. The long blockade and the various bombardments are described, and then follow the particulars of that masterly battle on the part of the North Atlantic Squadron which led to the total destruction of the Spanish warships.

Walter Russell's bravery may seem overdrawn, but such is far from being a fact. That our sailors were heroes in those days we have but to remember the sinking of the Merrimac, the Winslow affair, and a score of deeds of equal daring. "The hour makes the man," and the opportunity likewise makes the hero. Walter was brave, but he was no more so than hundreds of others who stood ready to lay down their lives in the cause of humanity and for the honor of Old Glory. Like his two brothers, his religious belief was of the practical kind, and he went into battle convinced that so long as he did his duty according to the dictates of his conscience, an all-wise and all-powerful Providence would guide him and watch over him.

The author cannot refrain from saying a word about the historical portions of the present work. They have been gleaned from the best available 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 Merrimac at the time that craft was sunk, and of a number who have made the Brooklyn their home for several years past, and who will probably remain on the pride of the Flying Squadron for some time to come.

In presenting this third volume, the author begs to thank both critics and the public for the cordial reception accorded to the previous volumes, and trusts that the present story will meet with equal commendation.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

Newark, N.J.,

March 1, 1899.

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CONTENTS

PREFACE
CHAPTER I. Walter determines to enter the Navy
CHAPTER II. A Visit to the Navy-Yard
CHAPTER III. A Chase and its Result
CHAPTER IV. On the Way to the "Brooklyn"
CHAPTER V. Something about War and Prize Money
CHAPTER VI. A Glimpse of the President
CHAPTER VII. A Talk about Spanish Sailors
CHAPTER VIII. The Men behind the Guns
CHAPTER IX. Commodore Winfield Scott Schley
CHAPTER X. Walter shows his Pluck
CHAPTER XI. The Sailing of the Flying Squadron
CHAPTER XII. An Adventure off Charleston
CHAPTER XIII. In which the Gold Piece comes to Light
CHAPTER IV. Key West, and the Last of Jim Haskett
CHAPTER XV. From Cienfuegos to Santiago Bay
CHAPTER XVI. The Finding of Admiral Cervera's Fleet
CHAPTER XVII. In which the "Merrimac" is sunk
CHAPTER XVIII. Walter's Adventure on Shore