INTRODUCTION IX 



caravan, and braved all the dangers of the unknown and 

 tempestuous deep so effectually that the new method 

 of communication between the nations which they 

 established never again fell into desuetude. Also, to 

 note how, beginning with the commercial idea, sea-traffic 

 degenerated into piracy ; then into a means of oppres- 

 sion as a weapon of national warfare, or piracy on a 

 larger, grander scale ; then gradually through the ages 

 retraced its career until it became the greatest medium 

 of trade between the nations, freed from all fear of 

 piratical onslaught because of the establishment of 

 navies to protect it. It is no less interesting to note 

 how, through a long series of events directly depen- 

 dent upon one another, this little group of islands 

 in the Northern seas, considered by the ancients to 

 be right on the borders of, if not within, the regions 

 of Cimmerian darkness, should gradually grow into 

 the proud position of the first sea-power in all the 

 world not by any accident or inheritance, but by 

 sheer driving force, both of hard fighting and keen 

 trading. 



It is a wonderfully inspiring theme for Britons, 

 this growth of sea-power, and one that should hold 

 a predominant place in the curricula of our schools 

 of all classes, especially so now, when, as I have 

 endeavoured to point out with all the emphasis at 

 my command, we have come to rely entirely upon 

 that sea-power for our national existence, our means 

 of living, our daily bread. Not merely as a means of 

 growing more wealthy, although it is the greatest 

 factor in national prosperity, but as the one essential 

 to our continuance as a nation. This cannot too 

 strongly be insisted upon in these forgetful days, or 



I 



