PREFACE THIS book was begun in 1907 as during the preceding two or three years I had tried in vain to understand the part played by the Navy in the wars between 1739 and 1748. I therefore began to study the original papers and the result of my researches gradually developed into this book. As opportunity was scanty and odd hours only could be given to the work I took some years to complete it. The book was finished in August 1914 and would have been published that autumn if it had not been for the outbreak of war. Although the stoly affords many analogies with, and abundant matter forcomment on, the course of the War with Germany, it has been thought best to issue it as originally written, without any knowledge of the events which lay so close ahead. I was the fortunate recipient of help from the late Sir John Langhton who was always ready to give to others the benefit of his own great store of knowledge from Mr W. G. Perrin and Mr Carr Laughton who have procured papers and undertaken research for me when I unable to do it for myself from Lord Hawke and the late Lord Sandwich who allowed me to examine their family papers at Womersley and Hinchinhrooke and finally from Sir Julian Corhett who has given me invaluable advice on many matters and to whom I owe more than I can express for his never-failing assistance and encouragement. I am indebted to Mr Emery Walker for the use of his copyright photographs of the portraits, and to the authorities of the National Portrait Gallery for permission to reproduce that of Admiral Vernon.... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.