A United States Midshipman in the South Seas

"A United States Midshipman in the South Seas" by Lt. Com. Yates Stirling Jr. is a historical fiction novel written in the early 20th century. The book follows Midshipmen Phil Perry and Sydney Monroe, along with Boatswain’s Mate “Jack” O’Neil, as they navigate the complexities of a South Sea war involving rival chiefs and foreign interests. Through a blend of adventure and cultural exploration, the midshipmen find themselves embroiled in the political tensions and conflicts of the Kapuan Islands. At the start of the story, the trio arrives in Ukula, the capital of the Kapuan Islands, where a ceremony welcomes the exiled war chief Kataafa back from five years abroad. As the midshipmen observe the dynamics of the ceremony, they become aware of the external and internal political turmoil surrounding the selection of a new king between Kataafa and his rival Panu-Mafili. The narrative introduces the complexities of colonial politics, as influences from Herzovinia and other powers come into play, setting the stage for conflict as Judge Lindsay prepares to announce his decision on the kingship, which could lead to war in the islands. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Yates Stirling Jr. was a decorated and controversial rear admiral in the United States Navy whose 44-year career spanned from several years before the Spanish–American War to the mid-1930s. He was awarded the Navy Cross and French Legion of Honor for distinguished service during World War I. The elder son of Rear Admiral Yates Stirling, he was an outspoken advocate of American sea power as a strong deterrent to war and to protect and promote international commerce. During Stirling's naval career and following retirement, he was a frequent lecturer, newspaper columnist and author of numerous books and articles, including his memoirs, Sea Duty: The Memoirs of a Fighting Admiral, published in 1939. Describing himself, Stirling wrote, "All my life I have been called a stormy petrel. I have never hesitated to use the pen to reveal what I considered should be brought to public attention, usually within the Navy, but often to a wider public. I seem to see some benefits that have come through those efforts. I have always believed that a naval man is disloyal to his country if he does not reveal acts that are doing harm to his service and show, if he can, how to remedy the fault. An efficient Navy cannot be run with 'yes men' only."