The Battleship Boys in Foreign Service

In Short

This is a classic piece of early 20th-century juvenile adventure fiction that tracks the high-seas and shore-leave exploits of Dan Davis and Sam Hickey. Serving aboard the U.S.S. Long Island, these two spirited, resourceful sailors manage to stumble into scrapes ranging from street brawls in Paris to near-fatal accidents in Egyptian tombs. It has endured as a quintessential example of the "boys' own" genre, capturing a specific era of American naval optimism through the eyes of two inseparable, wisecracking protagonists.

The Story

The narrative opens in Paris, where Dan and Sam are enjoying shore leave. Their leisure is interrupted when they stumble upon a group of "Apaches"—the city’s notorious criminal element—attacking women in the Bois de Boulogne. Despite having no weapons, the boys manage to subdue the attackers, but they are promptly arrested by confused local police who mistake them for the criminals. Their release is secured only after their captain intervenes from the ship.

Once back at sea, the routine of naval life—gun drills and ship maintenance—serves as a brief respite before the U.S.S. Long Island embarks on a tour of the Mediterranean. The boys remain magnets for trouble. In one instance, they become stranded in a cable car over a foreign harbor, forcing them to signal their ship for help. Later, they find themselves caught in a violent storm that damages the ship's outer gun casings; they heroically volunteer to repair the buckler plates, only to be swept overboard by a massive wave, narrowly escaping the sea to clamber back into the ship through a turret.

As the cruise reaches Egypt, the boys transition from sailors to explorers. During a visit to the Pyramids, they encounter a band of desert brigands. After being captured, they use their wits and wrestling skills to overcome their guards, leading to the destruction of the criminals' base. The book concludes with the duo receiving official recognition for their bravery. Both are promoted—Dan to Chief Turret Captain and Sam to Gunner's Mate—serving as a triumphant capstone to their international odyssey.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The story introduces Dan and Sam as they navigate the confusing customs and dangerous streets of Paris. Their attempt to enjoy the city ends in a clash with local outlaws, followed by an ignominious stint in a French jail.

The diplomatic rescue The tension between the sailors and local authorities is resolved through telegrams exchanged between the French police and the American captain. The boys eventually return to the Long Island, though their bank accounts are drained by an expensive afternoon at a café.

Life at sea The narrative shifts to the rhythms of naval service, focusing on gunnery drills and the camaraderie of the crew. This section highlights the boys’ adaptability as they master the ship’s rigging and handle emergency repairs during a dangerous gale.

The Egyptian tour The fleet reaches the Orient, providing a backdrop for new cultural encounters. The sailors trade, haggle, and eventually find themselves in a life-or-death struggle within the shadows of the Pyramids.

The final promotion The boys return to the ship as heroes, having dismantled a criminal network through sheer audacity. The book closes with their formal promotion, signaling a maturation of their roles within the Navy.

The People

Dan Davis is the steady, clear-headed leader of the pair. He possesses a natural aptitude for command and a knack for finding creative solutions to impossible situations, such as when he uses ship-signaling techniques while stranded in a cable car. He is the moral center of the duo, often reining in Sam’s impulsive tendencies.

Sam Hickey provides the levity and the muscle. Characterized by his red hair and quick wit, he is prone to grumbling about "heathen money" and the absurdities of foreign cities, yet he never hesitates to follow Dan into the thick of a fight. He acts as the grounded, skeptical foil to Dan’s earnestness.

Together, they represent the idealized American sailor of the era: brave, unpretentious, and stubbornly capable. While they begin as mere crewmen, their shared ordeals change them from reckless youths into respected, non-commissioned officers who have earned the genuine esteem of their captain. They remain fundamentally unchanged in their loyalty to one another, but they leave the story with a new sense of pride and professional responsibility.

In Its Own Voice

"I'll bet there isn't a Frenchman in France who would know what you were talking about if they heard you call it by that name."

(Sam expresses his frustration with Dan's formal pronunciation of French landmarks while they are walking through Paris.)

"I'm not rebuking you, my lads, I am simply giving you some good advice."

(The captain offers a gentle, yet weary, warning to the boys after they manage to stir up diplomatic trouble in a foreign harbor.)

"I have this day received an order from the Navy Department, it provides that for gallant service and quick wit Gunner's Mate Davis is to be promoted to Chief Turret Captain."

(The captain officially recognizes the boys' bravery at the conclusion of their adventures.)

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book explores the tension between individual agency and institutional order. Dan and Sam are constantly breaking the rules, yet their actions are framed as the highest form of service. The narrative argues that the "American spirit"—defined by resourcefulness, confidence, and a touch of defiance—is the greatest asset a sailor can possess. It also frames the world as a series of obstacles to be overcome, where language barriers and cultural differences are secondary to the universal language of physical courage and quick thinking. Ultimately, it is a testament to the belief that common men, when given a uniform and a sense of duty, can act as informal ambassadors of their nation’s character.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the breezy, fast-paced storytelling of the early 20th century will find this an engaging, if uncomplicated, journey. It feels like a relic of a more optimistic time, offering a window into how the American Navy was perceived and romanticized a century ago.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes embedded in the text. The book frequently relies on broad, outdated caricatures of foreign cultures, and the language used to describe the local populations in Egypt and elsewhere reflects the colonial-era perspectives of its time. The dialogue, particularly Sam’s frequent griping, can feel repetitive, and the plot often hinges on convenient coincidences.

Despite these dated elements, there is a genuine warmth to the friendship between Dan and Sam that remains relatable. If you approach it as a historical artifact—a piece of "boys' adventure" pulp designed to inspire a specific generation—you will appreciate the earnest energy and the vivid, if sometimes exaggerated, descriptions of life aboard a steel-hulled battleship. It stays with you not for its literary complexity, but for the sheer, relentless enthusiasm of its heroes.