The translation of these memoirs brings an important and authoritative historical source to those interested in Russian or naval history who are unable to access them in the original Russian. Their author, Rear Admiral S N Timiryov, was well placed to make observations on the character of many of the significant commanding officers and also many of the operations of the Baltic Fleet from the beginning of the war in 1914 up to exit from it in 1918. Timiryov trained with many of the key figures and shared battle experience with them in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 and the siege of Port Arthur; and he spent a year in Japan as a prisoner of war with a number of them. In Timiryov's subsequent career in the Navy he had in roles which brought him into contact with new recruits as well as with many serving officers. As the Executive Officer on the Imperial Yacht Shtandart, he came into contact with senior members of the Navy establishment and of the government, including the Imperial Household.