A Gunner Aboard the "Yankee" From the Diary of Number Five of the After Port Gun (Russell Doubleday): The Yarn of the Cruise and Fights of the Naval Reserves in the Spanish-American War

"A Gunner Aboard the 'Yankee'" by Russell Doubleday is a historical narrative that presents the raw experiences of naval reservists aboard the auxiliary cruiser "Yankee" during the Spanish-American War. Told from the point of view of Number Five of the After Port Gun, the book captures the transformation of ordinary young citizens into sailors as they prepare for battle. The story opens with the crew's mobilization, revealing their initial excitement mixed with apprehension. Readers witness the daily routines, challenges, and growing bonds of the crew members as they shift from civilian life to naval service and train vigorously for imminent warfare, illustrating both the lighter moments and the harsh realities of war.