The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast

The Flying Yankee: The Ocean Outcast, by Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, is a serial naval romance presented in the periodical format. The opening chapters depict the return of the U.S. Navy brig Vulture to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, bearing the body of Captain Duncan. Lieutenant Ainslie reports to Commodore Cutting that Duncan died in a duel with his executive officer, Lieutenant Noel Moncrief, fought in Havana after mounting tensions between the two officers. Midshipman Bernard, present at the encounter, reveals that Moncrief disarmed Duncan but was forced to kill him when Duncan demanded a second bout. Moncrief surrendered and was placed in irons. The narrative then shifts to backstory: Moncrief Manor, the estate of Governor Moncrief near Portsmouth, where his two sons—the elder Noel, noble and martial, and younger Clarence, scholarly and gentle—were educated. Noel entered naval service at seventeen years old and returns home after five years at sea, arriving by cutter at night and hearing an unidentified woman's voice singing from the manor.