was manned entirely, save for the captain, executive officer, navigator,
paymaster, and the marine guard, by members of the New York State Naval
Militia. For four months she remained in commission, weaving the threads
of a glorious record which will ever redound to the credit and honor of
the Volunteer Naval Reserve. Truth is ever stranger than fiction, and
the simple story of the boys of the gallant "Yankee," as set forth in
the diary of Number Five of the After Port Gun, should appeal to the
heart of every reader in this great country of ours--a country made
grander and better and more potent in the world's history by the
achievements of such brave lads as those who formed the crew of the
"Yankee." Number Five's diary was written simply for his family, but the
fame gained by the "Yankee" leads the publishers to believe that it will
prove interesting to Americans far and wide. It is set forth in
narrative form, but the incidents and the straightforward, simple, and
sailor-like words are those of the actual participant. This is his
story.


CHAPTER I.

IN WHICH THE "YANKEE" GOES INTO COMMISSION.

U.S.S. "NEW HAMPSHIRE,"
April 26, 1898.
Report at "New Hampshire" immediately, ready to go on board auxiliary
cruiser "Yankee."

(Signed)
JOHN H. BARNARD,
Lieut, commanding 3d Division,