Press, 1953. viii + 199 pp. Appendixes, notes, bibliography, and index. $3.50.) The first of several United States naval vessels named Saratoga was the ship-rigged sloop of war commanded by John Young during the Revolutionary War. Both the first Saratoga and her captain have been slighted by historians, who have given ship and man little more than passing references. Mr. Clark has given life to them both in this concise but accurate and welldocumented book.Although active only during the brief period August, 1780, to March, 1781, the little sloop-of-war Saratoga performed the significant duty of striking at British shipping in the attempt to hamper the supplying of British soldiers in the colonies. In her three cruises the Saratoga, armed only with sixteen 9-pounders and two 4-pounders, successfully engaged heavily armed British vessels, some of them men-of-war, and took twelve prizes. Unfortunately, however, five of these, including the three most valuable, were recaptured. The fame of the Saratoga would have been greater had she not been so short-lived. In March, 1781, while convoying merchantmen from Cap Francois to America, she went down in a West Indian storm. All on board disappeared. Thus the first Saratoga also started the list to which many naval vessels have since been added: "Lost at sea, unheard of."The success of the Saratoga was due to the ship, her captain, and her officers and crew. The Saratoga, the product of the master shipbuilder, Joshua Humphreys, was new, speedy, and maneuverable. The officers and crew were able, experienced, and devoted to the cause. This in itself was unusual at a time when all American naval vessels were waging a losing fight against the privateers who could offer their crews higher and more certain pay.John Young, himself, was able and daring, hot-tempered but resourceful, and experienced. Before taking over the Saratoga he had sailed as mate on three merchantmen, and had commanded the sloop-of-war Independence. Young stood twenty-third on the list of captains in order of seniority, and, according to Mr. Bell, his commission antedated that of John Paul Jones. This book is well written and based upon an imposing list of primary materials. The author could have done a better job in fitting the exploits of the Saratoga into the general story and background of the naval activities of the American Revolution. The book does have real value, however, in that it helps to fill in some of the details of that general story.