Preble's Boys Commander Preble and the Birth of American Sea Power

New York, NY: William Sloane Associates. Very Good+ in Good dust jacket. 1950. 1st Edition; 1st Printing. Hardcover. B&W Illustrations; This book is in Very Good+ condition and has a Good dust jacket. The book and its contents are in mostly clean, bright condition. There is some beginning rubbing and wear to the spine ends and corners of the book covers. The text pages are clean and bright. The dust jacket has several long tears, nicks, small chips and general wear and tear. "In 1779, he was appointed to the Massachusetts State Navy, becoming an officer in the 26-gun ship Protector. Becoming a British prisoner when that ship was captured in 1781, he was held for a time in the infamous prison ship HMS Jersey. On his release, he served in the Massachusetts Navy sloop Winthrop and led a boarding party to cut out a British brig at Castine, Maine. At the opening of this action, Winthrop passed by the enemy ship so quickly that only Preble and 14 of his 45-man boarding party managed to get aboard. As Winthrop came back around to make another pass, Winthrop's captain, George Little, asked Preble if he wanted more men. Preble, realizing that he would lose the element of surprise if he disclosed his far weaker position, coolly replied, "No. We have more than we want. We stand in each others' way!" Going below with pistols in hand, he caught a portion of the crew still in their hammocks." (from Wikipedia) .