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+ float: left; + margin-right: 1em } + +.align-right { clear: right; + float: right; + margin-left: 1em } + +.align-center { margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto } + +div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } + +/* SECTIONS */ + +body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } + +/* compact list items containing just one p */ +li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } + +.first { margin-top: 0 !important; + text-indent: 0 !important } +.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } + +span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } +img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } +span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } + +.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } + +/* PAGINATION */ + +@media screen { + .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage + { margin: 10% 0; } + + div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage + { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } + + .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } +} + +@media print { + div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } + div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } + + .vfill { margin-top: 20% } + h2.title { margin-top: 20% } +} + +</style> +<title>WITH BEATTY OFF JUTLAND</title> +<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> +<meta name="PG.Title" content="With Beatty off Jutland" /> +<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Percy F. Westerman" /> +<meta name="DC.Created" content="1918" /> +<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Frank Gillett" /> +<meta name="PG.Id" content="39489" /> +<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-04-19" /> +<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> +<meta name="DC.Title" content="With Beatty off Jutland A Romance of the Great Sea Fight" /> + +<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> +<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> +<meta content="With Beatty off Jutland A Romance of the Great Sea Fight" name="DCTERMS.title" /> +<meta content="jutland.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> +<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> +<meta content="2012-04-20T04:08:01.078685+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> +<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> +<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> +<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39489" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> +<meta content="Percy F. Westerman" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> +<meta content="Frank Gillett" name="MARCREL.ill" /> +<meta content="2012-04-19" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> +<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> +<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.19b4 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> +<style type="text/css"> +.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.toc-pageref { float: right } +pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39489 ***</div> +<div class="document" id="with-beatty-off-jutland"> +<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">WITH BEATTY OFF JUTLAND</h1> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<!-- container: coverpage --> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 55%" id="figure-36"> +<span id="cover-art"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +Cover art</div> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<!-- container: frontispiece --> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-37"> +<span id="can-you-spare-us-any-torpedoes-shouted-sefton"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-front.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"'CAN YOU SPARE US ANY TORPEDOES?' SHOUTED SEFTON"</div> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="align-None center container titlepage white-space-pre-line"> +<blockquote class="white-space-pre-line"> +<div> +<p class="center pfirst white-space-pre-line x-large">With Beatty off Jutland</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">A Romance of the Great Sea Fight</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">by</p> +<p class="center large pnext white-space-pre-line">PERCY F. WESTERMAN</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line">Author of "The Submarine Hunters"<br /> +"A Sub and a Submarine"<br /> +"The Dispatch Riders"<br /> +&c. &c.</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +</div> +</blockquote> +<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Illustrated by Frank Gillett, R.I.</em></p> +<blockquote class="white-space-pre-line"> +<div> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line">BLACKIE & SON LIMITED<br /> +LONDON AND GLASGOW<br /> +1920</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +</div> +</blockquote> +</div> +<div class="align-None container verso white-space-pre-line"> +<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">By Percy F. Westerman</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="left pfirst small white-space-pre-line">Rivals of the Reef.<br /> +A Shanghai Adventure.<br /> +Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn".<br /> +The Junior Cadet.<br /> +Captain Starlight.<br /> +The Sea-Girt Fortress.<br /> +On the Wings of the Wind.<br /> +Captured at Tripoli.<br /> +Captain Blundell's Treasure.<br /> +The Third Officer.<br /> +Unconquered Wings.<br /> +The Buccaneers of Boya.<br /> +The Riddle of the Air.<br /> +Chums of the "Golden Vanity".<br /> +The Luck of the "Golden Dawn".<br /> +Clipped Wings.<br /> +The Salving of the "Fusi Yama".<br /> +Winning his Wings.<br /> +A Lively Bit of the Front.<br /> +A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine.<br /> +The Good Ship "Golden Effort".<br /> +East in the "Golden Gain".<br /> +The Quest of the "Golden Hope".<br /> +Sea Scouts Abroad.<br /> +Sea Scouts Up-Channel.<br /> +The Wireless Officer.<br /> +A Lad of Grit.<br /> +The Submarine Hunters.<br /> +Sea Scouts All.<br /> +The Thick of the Fray,<br /> +A Sub and a Submarine.<br /> +Under the White Ensign.<br /> +The Fight for Constantinople.<br /> +With Beatty off Jutland.</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow</em></p> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="id1"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="container contents"> +<ul class="compact simple toc-list"> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-i-the-ward-room-of-h-m-s-calder" id="id2">CHAPTER I--The Ward-room of H.M.S. "Calder"</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ii-the-recovered-cable" id="id3">CHAPTER II--The Recovered Cable</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iii-the-stranded-submarine" id="id4">CHAPTER III--The Stranded Submarine</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iv-not-under-control" id="id5">CHAPTER IV--Not Under Control</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-v-sefton-to-the-rescue" id="id6">CHAPTER V--Sefton to the Rescue</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vi-action-at-the-double" id="id7">CHAPTER VI--Action at the Double</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vii-in-the-thick-of-the-fight" id="id8">CHAPTER VII--In the Thick of the Fight</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-viii-the-calder-s-second-scoop" id="id9">CHAPTER VIII--The "Calder's" Second Scoop</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ix-the-warrior-s-gallant-stand" id="id10">CHAPTER IX--The "Warrior's" Gallant Stand</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-x-battered-but-unconquered" id="id11">CHAPTER X--Battered but Unconquered</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xi-the-wrecked-sea-plane" id="id12">CHAPTER XI--The Wrecked Sea-plane</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xii-the-night-attack" id="id13">CHAPTER XII--The Night Attack</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiii-sefton-in-command" id="id14">CHAPTER XIII--Sefton in Command</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiv-out-of-the-fight" id="id15">CHAPTER XIV--Out of the Fight</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xv-a-day-of-suspense" id="id16">CHAPTER XV--A Day of Suspense</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvi-the-struggle-in-the-mountain-pass" id="id17">CHAPTER XVI--The Struggle in the Mountain Pass</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvii-safe-in-port" id="id18">CHAPTER XVII--Safe in Port</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xviii-too-late" id="id19">CHAPTER XVIII--Too Late!</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xix-the-smack-fidelity" id="id20">CHAPTER XIX--The Smack "Fidelity"</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xx-captured" id="id21">CHAPTER XX--Captured</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxi-u99" id="id22">CHAPTER XXI--U99</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxii-the-british-submarines-at-work" id="id23">CHAPTER XXII--The British Submarines at Work</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxiii-and-last" id="id24">CHAPTER XXIII--And Last</a></p> +</li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst">Illustrations</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#can-you-spare-us-any-torpedoes-shouted-sefton">"'Can you spare us any torpedoes?' shouted Sefton"</a> . . . <em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Frontispiece</em><br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#we-surrender-make-we-haf-a-leak-sprung">"'We surrender make.... We haf a leak sprung'"</a><br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#without-hesitation-sefton-made-a-flying-leap-over-the-guard-rails">"Without hesitation Sefton made a flying leap over the guard rails"</a><br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#poising-himself-for-an-instant-sefton-leapt-on-the-calder-s-deck">"Poising himself for an instant, Sefton leapt on the 'Calder's' deck"</a><br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#she-sent-a-huge-shell-at-point-blank-range-crashing-into-the-light-built-hull">"She sent a huge shell at point-blank range crashing into the light-built hull"</a><br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-calder-had-played-her-part-and-it-seemed-base-ingratitude-to-leave-her-to-founder">"The 'Calder' had played her part, and it seemed base ingratitude to leave her to founder"</a></p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst x-large">WITH BEATTY OFF JUTLAND</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-i-the-ward-room-of-h-m-s-calder"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id2">CHAPTER I--The Ward-room of H.M.S. "Calder"</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">A cold grey morning in April somewhere in the +North Sea; to be more exact, 18 miles N. 75° W. of +the Haisborough Lightship.</p> +<p class="pnext">Viewed from the fore-bridge of H.M. torpedo-boat +destroyer <em class="italics">Calder</em>, there was little in the +outlook to suggest that a state of war had existed for +twenty months. The same short steep seas, the +same lowering sky, the almost unbroken horizon +towards which many anxious glances were hourly +directed in the hope that "they" had at last come out.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two cables' distance from the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, a typical +trawler, with dense columns of smoke issuing from +her funnel, was forging slowly ahead. Another +vessel of a similar type was steaming in almost the +opposite direction, and on a course that would bring +her close under the stern of the almost motionless +destroyer. From the galley funnel of each trawler +a trail of bluish smoke was issuing, the reek as it +drifted across the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> deck indicating pretty +plainly the nature of the "hands'" breakfast. Of +the crew of either craft no one was visible, the +helmsman in each case sheltering in the ugly squat +wheel-house on the bridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">Acting Sub-lieutenant Sefton brought his +binoculars to bear upon the nearmost trawler. The +action was merely a perfunctory one. He knew +both trawlers almost about as much as their own +crews did, and certainly more than their respective +owners in pre-war times. For close on fifty hours, +watch in and watch out, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> had been dancing +attendance on these two almost insignificant +specimens of the North Sea fishing-fleet--the <em class="italics">Carse o' +Gowrie</em> and the <em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em>, both registered at +the port of Aberdeen.</p> +<p class="pnext">Carrying bare steerage-way, the destroyer glided +slowly past the <em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie's</em> port quarter. +From the trawler's stern a flexible wire hawser led +beneath the foaming wake of the propeller, dipping +with a sag that did not gladden the heart of the +young officer of the watch.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any luck yet?" shouted Sefton through an +enormous megaphone.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the hail two men's heads appeared above the +bulwarks aft, while a greatcoated figure came in +view from behind the storm-dodgers of the trawler's +bridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not the least, sir," replied the master of the +<em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em>, Peter M'Kie, skipper R.N.R. +"Are we right, sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The acting-sub had a few minutes previously +taken an observation. The destroyer was playing +the part of nursemaid to the two trawlers, for +although both skippers could find their way, even +in thick weather, almost anywhere in the North +Sea, solely by the aid of lead-line and compass, +neither had the faintest experience in the use of +the sextant.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ought to be right over it," replied Sefton. +"Carry on, and trust to luck."</p> +<p class="pnext">The trawlers were "creeping" with grapnels. +Not for mines, although there was always a possibility +of hooking one of those fiendish contrivances. +That was a risk that the tough fisherman faced with +an equanimity bordering on fatalism. Mine-sweeping +they had engaged upon almost continuously +since the notable month of August, 1914. Now +they were on particular service--a service of such +importance and where so much secrecy was imperative +that these two Scottish trawlers had been sent +expressly from a northern base to scour the bed of +the North Sea in the neighbourhood of Great +Yarmouth, where there were Government craft for +disposal in abundance.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton replaced his binoculars, and, turning, +found that his superior officer had just come on +deck and was standing at his elbow.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lieutenant Richard Crosthwaite, D.S.O., the +"owner" of the destroyer, was one of those young +officers who had made good use of the chances that +the war had thrown in his way. Specially promoted +for good work in the Dardanelles, he found +himself at a comparatively early age in command of a +destroyer that had already made a name for herself +in the gallant but ill-starred operations against the +Turks.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, Mr. Sefton?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing much to report, sir," replied the acting-sub. +"But we'll get it yet," he added confidently.</p> +<p class="pnext">Evidently "it"--hardly ever referred to by any +other designation--was more elusive than +Crosthwaite had imagined. A shade of disappointment +flitted across his tanned features. The task upon +which the trawlers were engaged was a matter of +extreme urgency. At Whitehall anxious admirals +awaited the news that "it" had been fished up; but +"it", reposing serenely on the bed of the North +Sea, had resolutely declined to receive the embraces +of a couple of heavy grapnels.</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite, after giving a searching glance to +windward, stepped to the head of the ladder. An +alert bos'n's mate, awaiting the signal, piped the +starboard watch. Saluting, Sefton gained the deck +and went aft, his mind dwelling on the prospects +of breakfast and a much-needed sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ward-room, a scantily-furnished apartment +extending the whole width of the ship, was showing +signs of activity. From one of the adjoining +dog-boxes, termed by courtesy a cabin, a short, +full-faced, jovial-featured man had just emerged, clad in +regulation trousers and a sweater. His curly +light-brown hair was still wet, as the result of his +ablutions, a slight gash upon the point of his chin +betokened the fact that he had tempted fate by +shaving in a stiff seaway, and by the aid of an +ordinary razor dulled by the penetrating salt air.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, it's quiet down here----" he began singing +in a ringing baritone.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No need to rub that in, Pills," exclaimed a +drawling voice. "The fact is patent to all. Can't +you give us 'They don't run Corridor Cars on +our Branch Line' by way of a change?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Thereon hung a tale: something that took place +when Jimmy Stirling first joined the mess at the +Portsmouth Naval Barracks as a Probationary +Surgeon, R.N.V.R.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I called attention to the fact that it was quiet +down here with deliberate intent, my festive +Box-spanner," retorted the surgeon. "At last, after +weeks of expostulation, your minions have +succeeded in quelling that demon of unrest, the steam +steering-gear. For the first time for a fortnight I +have slept serenely, and, thanks to that blessed +balm, I feel like a giant refreshed. Now, how +about it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He made a dive into the adjoining cabin, where +the engineer-lieutenant was in the act of struggling +with a refractory collar. The next instant the two +men lurched into the ward-room engaged in what +looked to be a mortal struggle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Cannoning off the stove, sweeping a sheaf of +books from the wall, glissading from the cushioned +lockers, the high-spirited officers tackled each other +with mock-serious desperation until, with a violent +heave, the athletic doctor deposited his engineering +confrère fairly upon the table. With a series of +crashes, cups, saucers, tureens, teapot, coffee-pot, +eggs and bacon sidled in an indescribable state of +chaos upon the floor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Time!" exclaimed Sefton authoritatively. +"Look here, you fellows. I haven't had my +breakfast, and I suppose you haven't had yours? +Not that it matters to me. And, Pills, has your +supply of bromide run out?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The combatants separated and began taking +stock of the damage.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You logged a gale of wind last night, I hope, +Sefton?" asked the engineer-lieutenant in tones of +mock anxiety. "Must account for this smash-up, +you know---- Any luck? Have they got it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The acting-sub, now that conversation had +reverted to the inevitable "it", was bound to +admit that the preceding night's labours had been +fruitless. The possibilities of the recovery of the +much-desired "it" monopolized the attention of +the occupants of the ward-room until the steward, +outwardly stolidly indifferent to the unsympathetic +treatment of his labours, provided another repast.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were boyish and high-spirited officers on +H.M.T.B.D. <em class="italics">Calder</em>. Their pranks were but an +antidote to the ceaseless strain of days and nights +of watch and ward.</p> +<p class="pnext">"To get back to things mundane," persisted the +engineer-lieutenant as the trio sat down to their +belated meal, "will they find it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is my firm belief that they will," replied +Sefton decisively. "Even if we have to mark time +about here for another month."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heaven forbid!" ejaculated the surgeon piously, +"I pine for fresh water. Your vile condenser-brewed +fluid is simply appalling, my festive Box-spanner. +And I yearn for newspapers less than a week old."</p> +<p class="pnext">The engineer-lieutenant glared defiance at his +medical confrère. He knew perfectly well that the +water on board was brackish and insipid, but it was +condensed under his personal supervision. Any +disparaging remarks upon his <em class="italics">métier</em>--even if +uttered in jest--touched him to the quick.</p> +<p class="pnext">A resumption of the "scrap" seemed imminent, +when a bluejacket, tapping at the ward-room door, +announced: "Captain's compliments, sir; they've +just hooked it."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ii-the-recovered-cable"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id3">CHAPTER II--The Recovered Cable</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Instantly there was a wild scramble on the part +of the three officers to gain the deck, all other +topics of interest vanishing before the all-important +information.</p> +<p class="pnext">A cable's length on the port beam the <em class="italics">Carse o' +Gowrie</em> was backing gently astern in order to close +with her consort. The <em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em> was +pitching sluggishly. Way had been taken off her, +while over her squat counter the wire hawser +attached to the Lucas grapnel was "straight up +and down" under the steady strain of some heavy +and still submerged object.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the destroyer's bridge a signalman was +semaphoring rapidly by means of hand-flags. The +<em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em> replied. The man had just finished +delivering the message to Lieutenant-Commander +Crosthwaite when Sefton and the other officers +gained the bridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's no doubt about it now," declared Crosthwaite +breezily. "They've just reported that the +thing is two fathoms off the bottom. The <em class="italics">Carse o' +Gowrie</em> is going to help take the strain."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hope it won't carry away, sir," remarked Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Never fear! Where the patent grapnel grips, +it holds. What water have we?"</p> +<p class="pnext">A cast with the lead gave 19 fathoms, the tide +having risen 7 feet. The tidal current was setting +south-east a half east, with a velocity of 1-½ knots.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tide'll be slacking in half an hour," said the +skipper. "The less strain we get the better. +Signalman!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ask the <em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em> to report the state of +the dynometer."</p> +<p class="pnext">Promptly came the reply that already the strain +on the grapnel hawser was 2-½ tons.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And the breaking strain is four, sir," Sefton +reminded his chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll get it all right," reiterated Crosthwaite. +"Never fear."</p> +<p class="pnext">His optimism was justified when forty-five +minutes later the grapnel sullenly bobbed above +the surface, holding in its tightly-closed jaws the +bight of a large submarine electric cable.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let's hope we've hooked the right one," +muttered the engineer-lieutenant.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You atom of despondency!" exclaimed Stirling.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I state a possibility, not a probability, Pills," +rejoined Boxspanner. "It's a three-to-one chance, +you know."</p> +<p class="pnext">Already a number of artificers, who had been +temporarily detailed for duty on board each of the +trawlers, were hard at work in connection with the +retrieved cable. What they were doing in +connection must remain a matter of conjecture, but the +fact was patent that the success or otherwise of +unremitting toil depended upon the next few minutes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Impatiently the young lieutenant-commander of +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> awaited a further signal announcing the +result of the investigations. When it came it was +highly satisfactory.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks be for small mercies!" ejaculated +Crosthwaite fervently. "Signal M'Kie and tell him to +take due precautions in case a ground swell sets in +from the east'ard."</p> +<p class="pnext">The cable was one of three that in pre-war time +connected the little Norfolk fishing-village of +Bacton with the German island of Borkum. Two +more ran from Borkum to Lowestoft, the whole +system being partly British and partly German +controlled.</p> +<p class="pnext">Immediately upon the declaration of war the +telegraph cables had been severed, both in the +neighbourhood of the British coast and in the +vicinity of the German island fortress. To all +intents and purposes it seemed as if the cables were +nothing more than useless cores of copper encased +in gutta-percha, rotting in the ooze on the bed of +the North Sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yet in spite of the most stringent precautions on +the part of the British Government to prevent a +leakage of news, the disconcerting fact remained +that, thanks to an efficient and extensive espionage +system, information, especially relating to the +movements of the Grand Fleet, did reach Germany.</p> +<p class="pnext">Various illicit means of communication were +suspected by the authorities, and drastic, though none +the less highly necessary, regulations were put into +force that had the effect of reducing the leakage to +a minimum.</p> +<p class="pnext">Simultaneously a campaign was opened against +the use of wireless installations. Undoubtedly +wireless played its part in the spies' work, but its +efficacy was doubtful. It could be "tapped"; its +source of agency could be located. However +beneficial in times of peace, it was a two-edged weapon +in war.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a long time the British Government failed to +unravel the secret, until it was suggested that the +submarine cables had been repaired. And this +was precisely what had been done. The Huns had +promptly repaired their end of one of the +Bacton-Borkum lines, while a German trawler, disguised +as a Dutch fishing-boat, had grappled the severed +end just beyond the British three-mile limit.</p> +<p class="pnext">To the recovered end was fixed a light +india-rubber-covered cable. This would be sufficiently +strong to outlast the duration of the war, the +scarcity of gutta-percha and the enormous weight +of the finished cable being prohibitive. It was +paid out from the trawler with considerable rapidity, +the end being buoyed and dropped overboard some +miles from the spot where the original cable used +to land. In the inky blackness of a dark winter's +night a boat manned by German agents disguised +as British fishermen succeeded in recovering the +light cable and taking it ashore. Here it was a +brief and simple matter to carry the line to a +cottage on the edge of the low cliff, burying the land +portion in the sand.</p> +<p class="pnext">For nearly eighteen months the secret wireless +station had been in active operation. News culled +from all the naval bases by trustworthy German +agents was surreptitiously communicated to the +operators in the little unsuspected Norfolk cottage +and thence telegraphed to Borkum.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the task of recovering the cable the utmost +skill, caution, and discretion were necessary. The +vessels detailed for the work were sent from a +far-off Scottish port with orders to make no +communication with the shore; while to protect them from +possible interference the <em class="italics">Calder</em> had been detached +from the rest of the flotilla to stand by and direct +operations.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em> was indeed fortunate in +finding the cable in a comparatively short space of +time, and, what was more to the point, in locating +the right one of the three known to be in close +proximity. Contrast this performance with that of +the cruiser <em class="italics">Huascar</em> in the Chilean-Peruvian War. +That vessel tried for two days in shallow water to +sever the cable at Valparaiso. The officer in charge +had himself assisted to lay that particular cable, +but picked up the one communicating with Iquique +and severed that by mistake.</p> +<p class="pnext">The only "fly in the ointment", as far as +Lieutenant-Commander Crosthwaite was concerned, was +the anticipated fact that the <em class="italics">Calder</em> would have to +dance attendance upon the trawlers for an indefinite +period. Once the mild excitement of grappling for +the cable was over, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was in the position +of those who "serve who only stand and wait". +It was a necessary task to "stand by", but with +vague rumours in the air of naval activity on the +part of the Huns, the officers and crew of the +destroyer would infinitely have preferred to be in the +thick of it, rather than detained within a few miles +of the Norfolk and Suffolk coast.</p> +<p class="pnext">When at length interest in the proceeding had +somewhat abated, Sub-lieutenant Sefton went below +to make up long arrears of sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had not turned in many minutes when Doctor +Stirling gave him a resounding whack on the back.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wake up, you lazy bounder!" exclaimed the +surgeon. "Didn't you hear 'Action Stations'? +We've got the whole German fleet coming for us."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iii-the-stranded-submarine"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id4">CHAPTER III--The Stranded Submarine</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"No such luck," protested Sefton, until, reading +the serious look in the medical officer's eyes, and +now conscious of a commotion on deck as the +ship's company went to action stations, he started +up, leapt from his bunk, and hurriedly scrambled +into his clothes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Upon gaining the deck Sefton found that Stirling +had exaggerated the facts--he generally did, as a +matter of fact. Just looming through the light +haze were half a dozen large grey forms emitting +tell-tale columns of smoke; for, combined with the +lack of Welsh steam coal and inferior stoking, the +Huns generally managed to betray their whereabouts +by volumes of black vapour from their funnels.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ships were now steaming in double column, +line ahead, and, having left Smith's Knoll well on +the starboard hand, were running on a southerly +course to clear Winterton Ridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Off to Yarmouth, I'll swear," declared +Crosthwaite. "The bounders have got wind of the +fact that our battle-cruisers are well up north."</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Calder</em> was now approaching the two +trawlers. Grasping a megaphone, the lieutenant-commander +hailed the skipper of the <em class="italics">Carse o' Gowrie</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">"German battle-cruisers in sight," he shouted. +"You had better slip and clear out."</p> +<p class="pnext">The tough old Scot shaded his eyes with a hairy, +tanned hand and looked in the direction of the hostile craft.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll bide here, if ye have nae objection, sir," he +replied. "After all this fuss, fetchin' the cable an' +all, I'm nae keen on dropping it agen. Maybe +they'll tak no notice of us, thinking we're fisherfolk."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The probability is that they'll sink you," said +Crosthwaite, secretly gratified at the old man's +bravery, and yet unwilling to have to leave the +trawlers to their fate.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If they do, they do," replied the skipper +unmoved. "It wouldna be the first by many a one. +But sin' we hae the cable, here we bide."</p> +<p class="pnext">Old Peter M'Kie was of a similar opinion. Sink +or swim, he meant to stand by. The <em class="italics">Carse o' +Gowrie</em> and the <em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em> were to remain +with the fished cable, since it was just possible +that the Germans might take them for ordinary +trawlers, as the boats showed no guns.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lieutenant-commander of the destroyer saw +that it was of no use to attempt to shake the +resolution of the two skippers. After all, they stood a +chance. By remaining quietly, and riding to the +raised cable, they certainly had the appearance of +fishing boats using their trawl, while any attempts +at flight might result in unpleasant attentions from +the number of torpedo-boats accompanying the +German battle-cruisers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Accordingly the <em class="italics">Calder</em> slipped quietly away, +keeping under the lee of the Haisborough Sands +to avoid being spotted by the enemy vessels. It +was a genuine case of discretion being the better +part of valour. Although not a man of her crew +would have blenched had orders been given to +steam full speed ahead towards the huge German +battle-cruisers, Crosthwaite realized that such a +step would be utterly useless. Long before the +destroyer could get within torpedo-range of the foe, +she would be swept clean and sent to the bottom +under the concentrated fire of fifty or more +quick-firers. Had it been night or thick weather the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> would no doubt have attempted to get home +with her 21-inch torpedoes. The risk would be +worth running. But, as matters now stood, it +would be sheer suicidal madness on her part, +without the faintest chance of accomplishing anything +to justify the attempt.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the destroyer was sending out wireless +messages reporting the presence of the raiders. +Busy in exchanging wireless signals with their +far-flung line of covering torpedo-boats, and with +a couple of Zeppelins that flew high overhead, the +German vessels made no attempt to "jam" the +<em class="italics">Calder's</em> aerial warning.</p> +<p class="pnext">Constantly ready for action at very brief notice, +the British battle-squadrons were under weigh +within a few minutes of the receipt of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> +message, and Beatty's Cat Squadron was heading +south-east with all possible speed before the +first hostile gun thundered against Great Yarmouth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They've opened the one-sided ball," remarked +Sefton as a dull boom from the now invisible +German ships--a single report that was quickly taken +up by other heavy weapons--was borne to the ears +of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew. "And, by Jove, Whit-Monday too."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," assented the doctor. "And ten to one +the beach is crowded with holiday-makers. Before +we left port, didn't we see some idiotic report in the +papers stating that the East Coast would be ready +for holiday visitors 'as usual'?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let's hope the Huns will get cut off again," +said the sub. "Another <em class="italics">Blücher</em> or two will make +them sit up."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They're too wary," replied the somewhat +pessimistic medico. "They've been warned that the +coast is clear. Before the submarines from +Harwich can come up they'll be off. And with twelve +hours of daylight in front of them they'll be back +long before our sixth destroyer flotilla can make a +night attack."</p> +<p class="pnext">For nearly twenty minutes the officers and men +listened in silence to the furious bombardment. +Several of the latter had homes in the town that +now lay exposed to the enemy guns. Realizing +their helplessness, they could only hope that the +damage done was no greater than that of the +previous naval attack on the same place, and that +this time the Cat Squadron would intercept the +raiders and exact a just and terrible retribution.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length the firing ceased almost as suddenly +as it had begun. In vain the destroyer's crew +waited long and anxiously for the renewal of the +cannonade in the offing that would announce the +gratifying news that Beatty had once more +intercepted the returning Huns.</p> +<p class="pnext">At 20 knots the <em class="italics">Calder</em> returned towards the +position in which she had left the two trawlers. +With feelings of relief it was seen that both craft +were still afloat and apparently all well.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly one of the look-outs raised the shout of: +"Submarine on the starboard bow, sir!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Without a moment's hesitation Crosthwaite telegraphed +for full speed, at the same time ordering +the quartermaster to port helm.</p> +<p class="pnext">A mile and a half away could be discerned the +elongated conning-tower and partly housed twin +periscopes of a large submarine, although why in +broad daylight the unterseeboot--for such she +undoubtedly was--exposed her conning-tower above +the surface was at first sight perplexing.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the for'ard 4-inch quick-firer loaded and +trained upon the meagre target the <em class="italics">Calder</em> leapt +forward at a good 24 knots, ready at the first sign +of the submerging of the submarine to send a +projectile crashing into and pulverizing the thin steel +plating of her conning-tower.</p> +<p class="pnext">So intent was the lieutenant-commander upon +his intended prey that he had failed to notice the +proximity of a black-and-white can buoy now almost +on the starboard bow. It was not until Sefton +reminded him of the fact that he realized that the +destroyer was doing her level best to pile herself +upon the Haisborough Sands--a feat that the +German submarine had already accomplished to the +rage and mortification of her officers and crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">Listing violently outwards, the destroyer swung +round clear of the treacherous shoal, and for the +first time Crosthwaite was aware of the ignominious +predicament of the unterseeboot.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The beggar may have a broadside torpedo-tube," +he remarked to his subordinate as he ordered +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> to be swung round, bows on to the +stranded craft, speed having been reduced to give +the destroyer more steerage-way. "Give her a +round with the for'ard gun. Plank a shell a +hundred yards astern."</p> +<p class="pnext">The shot had the desired effect. The conning-tower +hatch was thrown open, and the head and +shoulders of a petty officer appeared. For a few +moments he hesitated, looking thoroughly scared, +then his hands were extended above his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">In this position of surrender he remained, until, +finding that the destroyer made no further attempt +to shell the submarine, he emerged from the +conning-tower. Two officers followed, and then the +rest of the crew--twenty-two all told. The officers +stood upon the steel grating surrounding the +conning-tower, for the tide had now fallen sufficiently +to allow the platform to show above water. The +rest of the crew, wading knee-deep, formed up in a +sorry line upon the after part of the still submerged +hull, and, with uplifted hands, awaited the pleasure +of their captors.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fetch 'em off, Mr. Sefton," ordered the +lieutenant-commander. "Half of 'em at a time."</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub hastened to order away the boat. As +he did so Dr. Stirling nudged him and whispered +in his ear:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shall I lend you a saw, old man?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A saw!" repeated Sefton in astonishment. +"What on earth for?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Skipper said you were to bring half of them at +a time," explained the irresponsible medico with a +grin. "Better try the top half of each man first trip."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That'll do, Pills," retorted the sub. "If it's +surgery you're after, you had better do your own +dirty work."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Give way, lads," ordered the sub as the boat +drew clear of the steel wall-side of the destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We surrender make," declared the kapitan of +the submarine as the boat ranged up alongside. +"We haf a leak sprung."</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 60%" id="figure-38"> +<span id="we-surrender-make-we-haf-a-leak-sprung"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-031.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"WE SURRENDER MAKE.... WE HAF A LEAK SPRUNG"]</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">"Sorry to hear it," rejoined Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is dat so?" enquired the perplexed German, +mystified at his foe's solicitude.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," soliloquized the sub. "We would much +rather have collared the strafed submarine intact. +We didn't bargain for her keel plates being stove in.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now then!" he exclaimed. "I'll take eleven +of you men first trip."</p> +<p class="pnext">The coxwain and bowman of the boat deftly +engaged their boat-hooks in convenient projections +of the submarine's conning-tower, while the +specified number of dejected and apprehensive Huns +was received on board.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having delivered the first batch of prisoners on +the destroyer, Sefton returned, but, instead of +immediately running alongside the prize, he ordered +his men to lie on their oars. With the boat drifting +at a distance of twenty yards from the unterseeboot, +the sub coolly awaited developments.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Huns--officers and men alike--were far from +cool. Gesticulating wildly, they implored the sub +to take them off. Never before had Sefton seen +a greater anxiety on the part of the Germans to +abandon their ship, and in the course of eleven +months' service in the North Sea his knowledge +of the ways of the wily Hun was fairly extensive.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length two of the submarine's crew, unable +to restrain their panic, leapt overboard and struck +out for the boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand by with a stretcher, there, Jenkins," +ordered Sefton. "Show them what we mean to +do. Knock them over the knuckles if they attempt +to grasp the gunwale."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We surrender do, kamerad!" shouted the +Huns in dolorous chorus, seeing their companions +repelled from the waiting boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, I know," replied Sefton. "You've told +me that already. A few minutes' wait won't hurt +you. There's plenty of time."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Back oars!" ordered the sub, as the Germans, +terrified beyond measure, slid from the submarine's +deck into the water, officers and men striking out +frantically.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thirty seconds later came the dull muffled sound +of an explosion. A thin wreath of vapour issued +from the open conning-tower.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not much of a bust-up that," exclaimed Sefton +contemptuously. "It would not have flicked a fly +from her deck. Well, I suppose I must take the +beggars into the boat."</p> +<p class="pnext">The lightness of the explosion had also astonished +the German officers. Adopting their usual +procedure they had fixed three detonators in the hull +of the stranded vessel, and upon the approach of +the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> boat the second time they had lighted +the four-minute time-fuses.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton, guessing rightly what had been done, +had resolved to give the Huns, not a bad quarter +of an hour, but a worse three minutes. He, too, +expected to see the submarine's hull disintegrated +by a terrific explosion.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the boat's return to the destroyer with the +rest of the prisoners, Sefton made his report to +the lieutenant-commander.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't blame them," declared Crosthwaite. "In +similar circumstances we would have done the +same, but with better results, I hope. Send that +petty officer aft; I want to speak to him."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man indicated was, as luck would have it, +the fellow responsible for lighting the fuses. +Putting on his fiercest expression, Lieutenant-Commander +Crosthwaite sternly taxed him with attempting +to destroy the submarine after she had surrendered.</p> +<p class="pnext">Taken aback, the man admitted that it was so.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How many detonators?" asked Crosthwaite.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Three, Herr Kapitan."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And what time-fuses?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Four-minutes," was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then jolly rotten stuff," commented the +lieutenant-commander as he motioned for the prisoner +to be removed below. "We'll give them another +quarter of an hour before we board her."</p> +<p class="pnext">The stated time passed without any signs of +further internal explosions. The <em class="italics">Calder</em> made good +use of the interval, Harwich being communicated +with by wireless, announcing the capture of the +prize, and requesting tugs and lighters to be +dispatched to assist the disabled U boat into port.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now I think it's all O.K.," remarked +Crosthwaite. "Sure you're keen on the job?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton flushed under his tanned skin. His +skipper was quick to notice that he had blundered.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sorry!" he said apologetically. "Ought to +have jolly well known you better. Off you go, +and good luck. By the by, take a volunteer crew."</p> +<p class="pnext">Of the seventy men of the <em class="italics">Calder</em> every one +would have unhesitatingly followed the sub. +Asking for volunteers for a hazardous service was +merely a matter of form. There was quite a mild +contest to take part in the operations of boarding +the submarine.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the falling tide had left nearly the +whole extent of the deck dry. There were four +hatchways in addition to the conning-tower, each +of which was securely fastened. Through the +open aperture in the conning-tower Sefton made +his way. Below all was in darkness, for with the +explosion the electric lamps had been extinguished. +A heavy reek of petrol fumes and sulphurous smoke +scented the confined space.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub switched on the electric torch which he +had taken the precaution to bring with him. The +rays barely penetrated the smoke beyond a few feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Phew!" he muttered. "Too jolly thick. It is +a case for a smoke-helmet."</p> +<p class="pnext">Back went the boat, returning in a short space of +time with the required article. Donning the +safety-helmet, one of the bluejackets descended, groped +his way to the nearest hatchway and opened it.</p> +<p class="pnext">An uninterrupted current of fresh air ensued, and +in ten minutes the midship portion of the prize was +practically free from noxious fumes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Blow me, Nobby," exclaimed one of the +carpenter's crew, "did you ever see such a lash up? +Strikes me they slung this old hooker together in a +bit of a hurry."</p> +<p class="pnext">The shipwright's contemptuous reference to the +Teuton constructor's art was justified. The +submarine had every appearance of being roughly +built in sections and bolted together. Everything +pointed to hurried and makeshift work.</p> +<p class="pnext">Under the engine beds Sefton discovered two +unexploded detonators. The one that had gone off +was "something of a dud", for the explosive force +was very feeble--insufficient even to start any of the +hull plating. But it had performed a useful service +to the British prize crew: the blast had detached +the time-fuses from the remaining gun-cotton +charges, and had thus preserved the submarine +from total destruction.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless Sefton heaved a sigh of relief as the +two detonators were dropped overboard. Guncotton, +especially German-made stuff, was apt to +play peculiar tricks.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fore and after compartments or sub-divisions +of the hull were closed by means of watertight +doors in the bulkheads. The foremost was found +to have four feet of water--the same depth as that +of the sea over the bank on which the vessel had +stranded. It was here that the plates had been +started when the U boat made her unlucky +acquaintance with the Haisborough Shoal.</p> +<p class="pnext">Flashing his torch upon the oily surface of the +water, Sefton made a brief examination. On either +side of the bulging framework were tiers of bunks. +This compartment, then, was the sleeping-quarters +of the submarine's crew. Of torpedo-tubes there +were no signs; nor were these to be found +anywhere else on board. Aft was a "gantry" +communicating with an ingeniously contrived air-lock. +The submarine was not designed for torpedo +work but for an even more sinister task: that of +mine-laying. Not a single globe of latent destruction +remained on board. Already the U boat had +sown her crop of death; would there be time to +destroy the harvest?</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iv-not-under-control"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id5">CHAPTER IV--Not Under Control</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Quickly the news of the captured submarine's +former activities was flash-signalled to the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, +and with the least possible delay the information +was transmitted by wireless to Great Yarmouth and +Harwich.</p> +<p class="pnext">Until the minefield was located and destroyed +it was unsafe for any shipping to proceed to or +from Yarmouth Roads.</p> +<p class="pnext">Questions put to the U boat's crew elicited that +the vessel was one of seven operating in conjunction +with the raiding cruisers. While the German +fleet was bombarding Yarmouth, the submarines--having +on account of their slower speed set out on +the previous day--proceeded to lay a chain of mines +from the Would through Haisborough Gat, and +thence to a point a few cables east of the Gorton +lightship, thus completely enclosing Yarmouth +Roads from the sea. The UC6--that being the +designation of the prize--had just completed her +task when she sighted the <em class="italics">Calder</em> approaching. +Miscalculating her position, she had run her nose +hard upon the shoal, with the result that her low +compartment quickly flooded, thus rendering her +incapable of keeping afloat.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not long before four mine-sweepers came +lumbering northwards from Yarmouth, while others +proceeded in different directions to "clear up the +mess", as their crews tersely described the +dangerous operations of destroying the mines.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Calder</em>, still standing by, had missed the +northern limit of the German minefield by a few +yards. Had she held on her former course the +probability was that she would have bumped upon +a couple of the infernal contrivances--for the mines +were dropped in twos, each pair connected by a +span of cable to make more certain of a vessel's +bows being caught in its bight--and been blown +up with the loss of all her crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">The destroyer had been sent on particular service. +Other side issues had demanded her attention, and, +with the pluck and resourcefulness of British +seamen, her crew had risen to the occasion. To them +it was all in the day's work, with one ulterior +motive--to push on with the war.</p> +<p class="pnext">Deftly, the result of months of experience, the +mine-sweepers set to work. With little delay the +first of the mines was located, dragged to the +surface, and sunk by means of rifle-fire. Others were +destroyed in quick succession, two exploding as the +bullets, made for the purpose of penetrating the +buoyancy chambers, contrived to hit the projecting +horns of the detonating mechanism.</p> +<p class="pnext">In two hours, the trawlers having swept the +whole extent of the Would, the minefield was +reported to be destroyed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What damage ashore?" enquired Crosthwaite, +as the nearest trawler sidled under the destroyer's +stern.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Precious little, sir, considering," replied the +master of the mine-sweeper. "A few buildings +knocked about and a score or so of people killed or +injured. Might ha' been worse," and he shook his +fist in the direction in which the raiders had fled.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sedately, as if conscious of having modestly +performed a gallant service, the mine-sweepers bore +up for home, and once again the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was left to +stand by her prize.</p> +<p class="pnext">She was not long left alone. A number of +motor patrol-boats came buzzing round like flies +round a honey-pot. The work of transferring the +German prisoners was quickly taken in hand. They +were put on board the patrol-boats in batches of +half a dozen. It saved the destroyer the trouble of +putting into port when she was supposed to hold no +communication with the shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">The last of the motor-boats had brought up +alongside the <em class="italics">Calder</em> when Sefton recognized the +R.N.R. sub-lieutenant in charge as an old friend of +pre-war days.</p> +<p class="pnext">Algernon Stickleton was a man whose acquaintance +with the sea was strictly limited to week-ends +spent on board the Motor Yacht Club's +headquarters--the ex-Admiralty yacht <em class="italics">Enchantress</em>--in +Southampton Water. Given a craft with engines, +he could steer her with a certain amount of +confidence. Of navigation and the art of a mariner he +knew little or nothing. Tides were a mystery to +him, the mariner's compass an unknown quantity. +In short, he was a marine motorist--the +counterpart of the motor road-hog ashore.</p> +<p class="pnext">Upon the outbreak of war, commissions in the +R.N.R. motor-boat service were flung broadcast +by the Admiralty at the members of the Motor +Yacht Club, and amongst those who donned the +pilot-coat with the gold wavy band and curl was +Algernon Stickleton. At first he was given a +"soft job", doing a sort of postman's work in +Cowes Roads, until the experience, combined with +his success in extricating himself, more by good luck +than good management, from a few tight corners, +justified the experiment of granting a commission +to a comparatively callow marine motorist.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he was put through a rapid course of +signalling and elementary navigation, and, having +"stuck at it", the budding sub-lieutenant R.N.R. was +sent to the East Coast on a motor-yacht with +the prospect of being given a fast patrol-boat when +deemed proficient.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gone were those halcyon August and September +days in Cowes Roads. He had to take his craft out +by day and night, blow high or low. Boarding +suspicious vessels in the open roadstead hardened +his nerves and gave an unwonted zest to his work. +At last he was doing something definite--taking an +active part in the navy's work.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My first trip in this hooker, old man," he +announced to Sefton, indicating with a sweep of +his hand the compact, grey-painted motor craft +that lay alongside the destroyer's black hull. "A +clinker for speed. She'd knock your craft into a +cocked hat. It beats Brooklands hollow. Wants +a bit of handlin', don't you know, but I think I +brought her alongside very nicely, what?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The last of the German prisoners having been +received on board and passed below to the +forepeak, Sub-lieutenant Stickleton prepared to cast +off. Touching the tarnished peak of his cap, for +months of exposure to all weathers had dimmed +the pristine lustre of the once resplendent +headgear, he gave the word for the motors to be +started.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, with one hand on the steering-wheel, he +let in the clutch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Like an arrow from a bow the powerful box of +machinery leapt forward. The result was disastrous +as far as Stickleton was concerned. Unprepared +to counteract the sudden momentum, he was literally +"left", for, subsiding upon the short after-deck, he +rolled backwards over the transom and fell into +the boiling wake of the rapidly-moving motor-boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fortunately he could swim well, and was quickly +hauled over the destroyer's side, a dripping but +still cheerful object.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew laughed outright. +Even Crosthwaite and Sefton had to smile. The +sopping R.N.R. officer was quick to enter into the +joke against himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hope I won't get reprimanded for leaving my +ship without permission," he remarked facetiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You haven't asked permission to board mine," +Crosthwaite reminded him. "It's the custom of +the service, you know."</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile attention was being transferred from +the dripping officer to the craft of which he ought +to be in command. Evidently her crew were +unaware of what had occurred. The bowman was +coiling down a rope, two of the deck hands were +engaged in securing the fore-peak hatchway, while +the rest were down below. The patrol-boat was +tearing along at 38 knots, and, owing to the "torque" +of the propellers, was describing a vast circle to port.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the cabin-boy who first made the discovery +that the little craft was without a guiding hand at +the wheel. He was down below tidying up the +sub's cabin, when he found an automatic cigarette-lighter +that Stickleton had mislaid. Anxious to +get into his superior officer's good books, for the +youngster was the bane of Stickleton's existence on +board, the boy ascended the short ladder leading +to the cockpit. To his surprise he found no helmsman.</p> +<p class="pnext">Guessing that something was amiss, he hailed the +bowman. The latter, scrambling aft, steadied the +vessel on her helm, at the same time ordering the +motors to be eased down. He was convinced that +Stickleton had been jerked overboard and was +swimming for dear life a couple of miles astern.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the <em class="italics">Calder</em> bore almost due west, at +a distance of six sea miles, for the patrol-boat had +described a complete semicircle. For some time +the boat searched in vain for her missing skipper, +until the coxswain suggested returning to +Yarmouth to report the casualty.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Better get back to the destroyer, George," +counselled another of the crew. "Maybe they've +got our skipper. Anyway, there'll be no harm done."</p> +<p class="pnext">Somewhat diffidently, George up-helmed and +ordered full speed ahead. He, like the rest of the +crew, was, before the war, a paid hand in a racing +yacht; keen, alert, and a thorough seaman, but +unused to a powerfully-engined boat. Ask him to +bring a sailing-boat alongside in half a gale of +wind, he would have complied with the utmost skill, +luffing at the exact moment and allowing the craft +to lose way with her canvas slatting in the breeze +without the loss of a square inch of paint. +Bringing a "match-box crammed chock-a-block with +machinery" alongside was a totally different matter; +but, as it had to be done, George clenched his teeth +and gripped the spokes of the wheel, determined to +die like a true Briton.</p> +<p class="pnext">The patrol-boat had covered but half of the +distance back to the <em class="italics">Calder</em> when she almost leapt +clear of the water. The two deck-hands for'ard +were thrown flat, and, sliding over the slippery +planks, brought up against the low stanchion rails. +A slight shock, barely perceptible above the +pulsations of the motors, and the little packet dipped +her nose under to the water, shook herself clear, +and resumed her mad pelt.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's up, George?" sang out the mate.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dunno," replied the coxswain. "Guess we've +bumped agen' summat."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, the dread possibility that he had run dawn +his own skipper entering his mind, he decided to +return and investigate.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having had but little experience in the use of the +reversing-gear, George slammed the lever hard-to. +With a sickening jerk, as if the little craft were +parting amidships, the patrol-boat stopped and +gathered sternway. A minute later she backed +over a large and ever-increasing pool of iridescent +oil, through which air-bubbles were forcing their way.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jupiter!" exclaimed one of the crew; "blest +if we haven't rammed a strafed U boat."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man had spoken truly. A German +submarine, acting independently of the raiding-squadron, +had sighted the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, hove-to, at a +distance of three miles. Unaware of the presence +of the patrol-boat--and the sight of a patrol-boat or +a trawler usually gives the German unterseebooten +a bad attack of the blues--her kapitan had taken +a preliminary bearing prior to submerging in order +to get within effective torpedo range. Having +judged himself to have gained the required position, +the Hun ordered the boat to be again brought to +the surface.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the critical moment he heard the thud of the +propellers of the swiftly-moving patrol-boat. He +attempted to dive, but too late. The sharp steel +stem of the little craft, moving through the water +at the rate of a railway train, nicked the top of the +U boat's conning-tower sufficiently to penetrate the +plating. Before steps could be taken to stop the +inrush of water the U boat was doomed. Sinking +slowly to the bottom, she filled, the heavy oil from +her motors finding its way to the surface in an +aureole of iridescent colours to mark her last +resting-place.</p> +<p class="pnext">George, seaman first, and fighting-man next, +gave little thought to his involuntary act. The +safety of his temporary command came foremost.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nip down below and see if she's started a +seam," he ordered.</p> +<p class="pnext">The men, who had been ejected from their quarters +by the concussion, hurried to the fore-peak. As +they opened the cuddy-hatch the half-dozen terrified +German prisoners made a wild scramble to gain the deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who told you blighters to come out?" shouted +George, and, abandoning the wheel, he rushed +forward, seized the foremost Hun by the scruff of the +neck and hurled him violently against the next +man. The floor of the fore-peak was covered with +a squirming heap of now thoroughly cowed Huns, +to whom the apparition of the stalwart, angry +Englishman was more to be dreaded than being +shaken like peas in a pod in the dark recesses of +their temporary prison quarter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is she making anything?" enquired George +anxiously, as he returned to take charge of the helm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hardly a trickle," was the reassuring reply. +"Whack her up, mate."</p> +<p class="pnext">The coxwain proceeded to order full speed ahead, +and the little craft tore back to the <em class="italics">Calder</em> in order +that the news of her skipper's disappearance might +be reported.</p> +<p class="pnext">To the surprise of the patrol-boat's crew they +discovered their sub, arrayed in borrowed garments, +standing aft and motioning to the boat to come +alongside.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was easier said than done. The coxwain's +faith in his capabilities was weak, notwithstanding +his resolution. At the first shot he carried too +much way, reversing engines when the little craft +was fifty yards ahead of the destroyer. The second +attempt found him a like distance short, with no +way on the boat. At the third he dexterously +caught a coil of rope hurled from the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, and +succeeded in hauling alongside.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We've just rammed a submarine, sir," reported +the coxwain, saluting, delivering the information in +a matter-of-fact manner, as if destroying enemy +craft in this fashion were an everyday occurrence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sub-lieutenant Stickleton having regained his +command, the motor-boat piloted the <em class="italics">Calder</em> to +the scene of her exploit. A diver descended in nine +fathoms, and quickly telephoned the confirmatory +information that a U boat was lying with a list to +starboard on the sand, with a rent in her +conning-tower--the indirect result of the involuntary bathe +of Sub-lieutenant Stickleton, R.N.R.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-v-sefton-to-the-rescue"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id6">CHAPTER V--Sefton to the Rescue</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, +sir," reported the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> look-out before the diver +had reappeared from his errand of investigation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was +a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft +resembling overgrown canal barges.</p> +<p class="pnext">The tide was now well on the flood. It wanted +about a couple of hours to high water, and, since +the falling glass and clear visibility of distant +objects betokened the approach of bad weather, +urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to +extricate the captured submarine from the embraces +of the sand-bank.</p> +<p class="pnext">The examination of the prize by her captors was +now practically complete. The U boat was one of +a new type, and had left Wilhelmshaven on her +maiden trip forty-eight hours previously. She had +either lost her bearings or had purposely approached +shoal water. Anyhow she had been neatly strafed +before she had had time to do much mischief.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew had taken steps to +assist the salvage people in the task of floating the +prize. The hatchways, with the exception of that +of the conning-tower, had been hermetically closed, +and the watertight doors in the for'ard bulkhead +shut and shored up to withstand the pressure of +water in the holed fore-peak.</p> +<p class="pnext">By the time the lighters were made fast, one on +either side of the submarine, the level of the water +was up to within fifteen inches of the conning-tower +hatchway. Quickly hoses, connected to Downton +pumps, were led from the lighters to the +water-ballast tanks of the submarine, since it had been +found impossible to "start" the ballast by means +of hand pumps.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a race against time and tide. The +mechanical appliances won, and soon the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> +officers and crew had the satisfaction of seeing the +submarine's deck appear close to the surface.</p> +<p class="pnext">She still had a pronounced "dip", the flooded +for'ard compartment tending to depress her bow; +but, supported by the two lighters, she was +prevented from sinking. Then, taken in tow by the +tug, the prize, with her cumbersome attendants, +waddled slowly for Harwich.</p> +<p class="pnext">Her part in this supplementary business ended, +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> slipped off at full speed to the position +where the <em class="italics">Dimpled Lassie</em> and the <em class="italics">Carse o' Gowrie</em> +still held a resolute grip on the recovered cable.</p> +<p class="pnext">As Skipper M'Kie had surmised, neither of the +trawlers had been molested by the German +battle-cruisers or destroyers. Carried away by their +frantic desire to make a display of frightfulness +upon an unprotected English watering-place they +had totally ignored the seemingly innocuous +cable-grappling craft.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It will blow like billy-oh before morning," +remarked Lieutenant Crosthwaite to his subordinate. +"I'm going to tell them to buoy and slip +the cable. We've done very well, I think. You +might make an observation; I'll take another, and +we'll check our calculations. I'll guarantee we +won't have much trouble in fishing up the cable +next time."</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite's orders to the skippers of the +trawlers were smartly carried out, and the cable, +left with its position marked by a green +wreck-buoy, a sufficient guarantee against detrimental +examination by curious fishermen. Before sunset +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> and her two charges were snug in +Lowestoft harbour, the crews being cautioned +against the risk of letting fall any hint concerning +their recent work--an injunction that they loyally +carried out.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was three days before the gale blew itself out. +During that period events had been moving rapidly. +And here one of the few advantages of being on +particular service became apparent. Had not the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> been detailed for escort duties to the +cable-grappling trawlers the chances were that she would +be plugging against heavy green seas, while those +of her crew not on duty on deck would be existing +under battened hatches. Instead, the destroyer was +lying snugly berthed in a harbour, and her crew +were able to enjoy brief spells of liberty ashore.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next step was to locate the shore end of the +cable. This work required particular skill and +discretion, since the German operator would +certainly be on the alert for the first suspicious +movement.</p> +<p class="pnext">Scotland Yard detectives, disguised as fishermen +and longshoremen, eventually succeeded in tracing +the source of the leakage of information. The +temporary cable had been brought ashore nearly four +miles from the original landing-place of the severed +line, and led to a wooden hut on the edge of the +sandy cliffs.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the present, all that was required to be done +in that direction was performed. The Admiralty +had decided to let the cable turn the tables upon +the Huns, and, until the time was ripe, the spy +could telegraph without interruption, but unwittingly +he was digging a pit for himself from which +no escape was possible.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was well into the third week in May when the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> received orders to proceed to Rosyth, +replenish stores and oil-fuel, and rejoin her flotilla. +The news was hailed with delight, since it was +possible that many of the officers and crew would +be able to proceed on leave.</p> +<p class="pnext">Another week passed. Information had reached +the Commander-in-Chief of a certain amount of +German activity in the North Sea. Something +had to be done to attract the attention of the +German populace from the series of rebuffs +experienced by the Huns before Verdun. +Exaggerated reports concerning the prowess of the +German High Seas Fleet, coupled with news of +spasmodic raids upon the British coast, helped to +foster the ill-founded belief of the Huns in the +invincibility of their navy, while, to keep up the +deceit, Admiral von Scheer took his ships out for +various discreet cruises off the Danish coast, where +there was ever a possibility of making a quick run +back under the guns and behind the minefields of +Heligoland.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the 29th May orders were issued for the +First and Second Battle Squadrons and the Second +Battle-Cruiser Squadron to proceed to a certain +rendezvous in order to carry out target practice. +The instructions were issued through the usual +channels, with the almost certain knowledge that +the information would leak out. The Commander-in-Chief's +anticipation proved to be correct, for +within three hours of the issuing of the order the +news was transmitted to Germany by means of the +tapped cable.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not the Admiral's intention to carry out +target practice. Instead, the whole of the Grand +Fleet put to sea from its various bases, ostensibly +for the neighbourhood of the Orkneys, but in reality +for a far more important objective.</p> +<p class="pnext">At 1 a.m. on the 31st the authorities raided the +isolated hut on the Norfolk coast, captured the +German telegraph operator in the act of +communicating with Borkum, and hurried him away under +close arrest. He had played his part as far as the +British interests were concerned, since he had +informed the German Admiralty of the supposed +rendezvous of Jellicoe's fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you think there's something in the wind, +sir?" asked Sefton, as the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, in station with +the rest of her flotilla, was slipping along at +18 knots.</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite smiled enigmatically. He knew as +much as captains of ships were supposed to know, +which wasn't very much, but more than their +subordinates were told.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Patience!" he replied. "Can't say more at +present. You might see how repairs to that 4-inch +gun are progressing."</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton descended the bridge ladder and made +his way aft. Slight defects in the mounting of +the stern-chaser quick-firer had appeared almost as +soon as the destroyer left the Firth of Forth, and +the armourer's crew were hard at work rectifying +the damage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gripping the stanchion rail surrounding the gun +platform, for the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was rolling considerably +in the "wash" of her preceding consorts, and +exposed to a stiff beam wind, the sub watched the +operation. He had no need to ask any questions; +there was little about the mechanism of a 4-inch +and its mountings that he did not know. He could +see that the repairs were almost completed, only a +few finishing touches requiring to be done.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Man overboard!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub rushed to the side just in time to see +the outstretched arms of a bluejacket emerging +from the following wave of the swiftly moving +craft. It was indeed fortunate that the man was +still alive, not only had he escaped having his +back broken on striking the water, but he had +missed the rapidly revolving starboard propeller. +Clad in a "duffel" suit and wearing sea-boots, his +position was precarious in the extreme.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without hesitation Sefton made a flying leap +over the guard-rails. Once clear of the side he +drew up his legs and hunched his shoulders, +striking the water with tremendous force. Well it was +that he had taken this precaution instead of making +a dive in the ordinary sense of the word, for, carried +onward at the rate of a mile every three minutes, +he ran a serious risk of dislocated limbs or a broken +back had he not rolled himself into the nearest +resemblance to a ball.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-39"> +<span id="without-hesitation-sefton-made-a-flying-leap-over-the-guard-rails"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-058.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"WITHOUT HESITATION SEFTON MADE A FLYING LEAP OVER THE GUARD RAILS"</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">He sank deeply, and was swept irresistibly by +the back-wash; it seemed as if he were fathoms +down. Before he emerged he could distinctly hear +the whirr of the triple propellers. Rising to the +surface he refilled his lungs with the salt-laden air, +for the concussion had wellnigh deprived him of +breath. Then he gave a hurried glance around him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Calder</em> was already a couple of cables' lengths +away, while the destroyer next astern was almost on +top of him. As she swept by, a lifebuoy was hurled +towards the sub, luckily missing him by a bare yard.</p> +<p class="pnext">The second and last destroyer astern saw the +swimmer, and by porting helm avoided him easily, +and saved him from the great discomfort of being +flung about in her wake like a pea in a saucepan of +boiling water. Without making any attempt to +slow down and send a boat, the destroyer flotilla held on.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton soon realized the necessity for this +apparently inexplicable act. It was impossible without +grave risk to the flotilla to break up the formation, +while the danger was still further increased by the +fact that the First Cruiser Squadron was pelting +along somewhere three or four miles astern, and +these vessels, being of a considerable tonnage, +carried a tremendous amount of way. Above all, +it was war-time, and individuals do not count when +greater issues are at stake.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently the sub descried the head and shoulders +of the missing man as he rose on the crest of the +broken waves. He, too, had succeeded in reaching +a lifebuoy thrown by the nearmost destroyer. Short +as had been the time between the man's tumble +overboard and Sefton's deliberate leap, owing to +the speed of the flotilla nearly a quarter of a mile +separated the would-be rescuer from the object of +his gallant attempt.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No use hanging on here," thought Sefton, as +he clung to the buoy. "Must get to the man somehow."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then it was that he realized that he had gone +overboard in a thick pilot coat and india-rubber +sea-boots. These he sacrificed regretfully, since +there was no chance of replenishing his kit until +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> returned to port--that is, if he had the +good fortune to survive his adventure "in the +ditch". The operation of discarding the boots +gave him a tussle, during which he swallowed +more salt water than desirable; then, relaxing his +grip on the lifebuoy, Sefton struck out towards the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub was a good swimmer. At Dartmouth +he had been "runner-up" for the 440 yards +championship, but now he realized the vast difference +between swimming that length in regulation +costume and an equal distance almost fully clothed in +the choppy North Sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">By the time the sub came within hailing distance +of the seaman his limbs felt as heavy as lead, +while, do what he would, he was unable to raise +his voice above a whisper, much less "assure the +drowning man in a loud, firm voice that he is safe", +according to the official regulations. Sefton was +by no means certain that he himself was in anything +but a most precarious position.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton found that the man he had risked his life +to save was not half so exhausted as he was. The +seaman had come off lightly in his fall, and he had +had no occasion to tire himself with a long swim +to the lifebuoy, since the crew of the passing +destroyer had all but brained him with the cork "Kisbie".</p> +<p class="pnext">The A.B. regarded his rescuer with a look that +betokened pained disapproval. He was one of +those men who are ever "up against discipline". +To him the gold band and curl on a uniform meant +something more than authority: it roused a spirit +of sullen aggression.</p> +<p class="pnext">And yet Thomas Brown had joined the Royal +Navy with the best intentions. Fate, in the shape +of a short-tempered recruiting-officer, had marred +his career from the very start; for, on joining the +training-school at Shotley, one of the questions +asked of him was the name of his birthplace.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ashby-de-la-Zouch, sir," replied young Brown, +giving the name with the accepted Leicestershire +accent.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where did you say?" enquired the lieutenant.</p> +<p class="pnext">The recruit repeated the words.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Zoo, did you say?" snapped the officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," rejoined Thomas Brown without a +moment's hesitation. "The next cage to yours."</p> +<p class="pnext">The repartee came absolutely on the spur of the +moment. A second's reflection might have made +all the difference. It was a bad start, and the +newly-entered boy suffered for it. That was some +years ago, but in the Royal Navy the old adage of +giving a dog a bad name holds good longer than +anywhere else.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton recognized the man as one who figured +frequently in the "Captain's Report". Young as +he was, the sub had a keen insight into human +nature, and although he knew nothing of the first +slip that had marred the A.B.'s career he was +certain that there were good points in the man, and +that underneath his rugged, surly exterior there was +something of true worth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No need for you to tumble into the ditch after +me, sir," said the man. "I can shift for myself."</p> +<p class="pnext">He spoke gruffly, but underlying the remonstrance +was an unmistakable tone of gratitude. In +the circumstances he was glad of company. He +would have welcomed his "raggie", or chum, in +preference to an officer, but at such times the +difference of rank gives place to the equality of human +peril.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They'll pick us both up," declared Sefton, +although in his mind he had grave doubts as to +the matter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not they," rejoined A.B. Brown, indicating the +direction of the now invisible flotilla with a jerk +of his closely-cropped head. "The cruisers might. +But take hold of this, sir," he added, pushing the +buoy to within reach of the sub. "You looks as if +you want it a long sight more'n me."</p> +<p class="pnext">Both men relapsed into silence. Further conversation +meant a waste of precious breath. At intervals, +as the buoy rose on the billows, Sefton "hiked" +his head and shoulders well clear of the water in +the hope of sighting the armoured-cruiser squadron.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They're a precious long time in coming up," +he soliloquized. "Seven minutes ought to have +done the trick."</p> +<p class="pnext">As a matter of fact, the First Cruiser Squadron +had received a wireless message from the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +within ninety seconds of Sefton's leap overboard, +requesting the vessels to keep a sharp look-out for +the two men.</p> +<p class="pnext">On receipt of the intelligence the armoured +cruisers' speed was reduced to 10 knots, and this +accounted for the seemingly endless time that +elapsed before the vessels came within sight of the +two well-nigh exhausted men as they clung to the +lifebuoy.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length, through the light haze that prevailed +throughout the morning, could be discerned the +grey outlines of the First Cruiser Squadron.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ships were steaming in double column, line +ahead, the <em class="italics">Defence</em>, flying the Rear-Admiral's flag, +leading the starboard and the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> the port line. +With faultless precision they came on, three cables' +distance separating the units of each division, and +twice that interval betwixt the columns.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They've spotted us, sir," exclaimed Able +Seaman Brown, as the alteration of position of the +red flag and green cone displayed from the cruiser's +mainmast yard-arm told the two men that the +<em class="italics">Warrior's</em> helm was being ported. Simultaneously +the "steaming cones" were reversed, showing that +the ship's engines were going astern--a manoeuvre +followed by the rest of the squadron.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost before way was taken off the ship the +<em class="italics">Warrior's</em> sea-boat was rapidly lowered from the +davits. Sefton could hear the dull thud of the +lower blocks as the releasing-gear came into action +and the falls surged against the ship's side, and the +treble-voiced midshipman urging his boat's crew +to "give way there, my lads, for all you're worth."</p> +<p class="pnext">Although only a minute and a half elapsed +between the time the sea-boat got away from the ship +and her arrival at the scene of the rescue, the +interval seemed interminable to Sub-lieutenant Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">With feelings of indescribable relief he realized +that he was being gripped by two pairs of horny +powerful hands and lifted over the dipping gunwale +into the stern-sheets, while others performed a like +office for the saturated A.B.</p> +<p class="pnext">Smartly the sea-boat was brought alongside the +cruiser. Deftly the hoisting-gear was engaged, +and with a hundred-and-twenty men tailing on the +falls the boat and her occupants were whisked up +to a level with the vessel's quarter-deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">And thus Acting Sub-lieutenant John Sefton +found himself on board H.M.S. <em class="italics">Warrior</em>, in blissful +ignorance of the gallant part the armoured cruiser +was about to bear in the glorious battle off the +Jutland Bank.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vi-action-at-the-double"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id7">CHAPTER VI--Action at the Double</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The ship upon which Sefton found himself as an +unauthorized supernumerary was an armoured +cruiser of 13,550 tons, built and completed at +Pembroke nine years previously. She was one of a +class of four that marked a new departure in naval +architecture--each of her guns being mounted +singly and in a separate turret. At the time when +she was laid down she was considered one of the +heaviest armed cruisers of her day, mounting six +9.2-inch and four 7.5-inch guns. Of these, three +9.2's could be made to fire ahead, and a similar +number astern, while on either broadside she could +deliver a formidable salvo from four of the guns of +heavier calibre and two of the 7.5's. With the +exception of the following year's programme of the +<em class="italics">Minotaur</em> class, the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> and her sister ships +were the last armoured cruisers laid down by the +British Admiralty, the all-big-gun battle-cruisers +simply outclassing at one swoop the armoured +cruisers of the world's navies.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> was still a powerful +unit, and calculated to be more than a match for +any German vessel of her size. Her designed +speed of a fraction over 22 knots--a rate that when +necessity arose could be exceeded--enabled her +with the rest of her class to form a valuable, +hard-hitting auxiliary to the vessels of the battle-cruiser +squadrons.</p> +<p class="pnext">While Sefton was being kitted out by an obliging +brother sub-lieutenant, a wireless message had +been sent to the <em class="italics">Calder</em> announcing the safety of +her sub-lieutenant and A.B. Brown.</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite received the gratifying intelligence +with undisguised delight. His feelings were +shared by the whole of the ship's company, for, +almost without exception, the destroyer's officers +were voted a "sound lot", and the possibility of +Sefton's death in a gallant attempt at the rescue of +a lower-deck man had thrown a gloom over the ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">As for the lieutenant-commander, his relief and +gratitude to Providence knew no bounds. Between +Sefton's leap overboard and the receipt of the +<em class="italics">Warrior's</em> message he had passed through a +distressing time. Apart from his personal regard for +the sub, with whom he had shared adventures and +perils in the Near East, the fact that he had been +compelled to abandon Sefton to the vagaries of fate +hit him hard. He was even doubtful whether, with +the possibilities of hostile submarines cruising +around, the armoured cruisers would risk slowing +down to rescue two men and at the same time +present a splendid target for German torpedoes. +However, the deed of rescue was accomplished, and the +next step to consider was how to get Sefton and the +A.B. back on the destroyer. The former's presence +was desirable, in fact essential.</p> +<p class="pnext">In answer to the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> lieutenant-commander's +request, whether it would be possible for Sefton to +be sent back to the destroyer, the rescuing ship +replied that, should opportunity occur, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +could close, but that, in view of present conditions, +such a step was most unlikely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So you'll jolly well have to make yourself +at home here, old bird," remarked one of the +<em class="italics">Warrior's</em> sub-lieutenants, who as a youngster had +passed out of Dartmouth at the same time as Sefton. +"Suppose the trip will do you good. Sort of +marine excursion out and home, don't you know. +Nothin' doin', and never a sign of a Hun, unless it +be a 'tin-fish' or two."</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Warrior's</em> sub voiced the opinion of the +rest of the gun-room. He was president of the +mess and a mild autocrat over the "small fry", and +generally voted a rattling good sort by the handful +of midshipmen, many of whom, alas! were to yield +up their lives in undying fame before many hours +were past.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yet, although the whole of the personnel of the +Grand Fleet were as keen as mustard to meet the +Huns, frequent and almost unvarying disappointment +had been their lot. Over and over again +Beatty's squadron had swept the North Sea without +coming in contact with the enemy, until it was the +general conclusion that, until the High Seas Fleet +was actually sighted, it was of no use speculating +upon the chances of the "big scrap".</p> +<p class="pnext">And now, on the memorable morning of +Wednesday, the 31st May, the First and Second +Battle-cruiser Squadron, three light-cruiser squadrons, +with attendant destroyers, were ploughing eastward +across the North Sea, with the knowledge that +the hard-hitting Battle Fleet, together with a +formidable array of cruisers and destroyers, was some +distance to the nor'ard, ready, at the first +wireless call, to complete the toils thrown around the +German fleet should the latter, lured into a sense +of false security, dare to leave the mine-fields of +Heligoland.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shortly after noon the wind dropped and the +water became almost calm, save for the +undulations caused by the swiftly-moving squadron. +Overhead the sun shone faintly through a thick +haze, which for hours hung about with irritating +persistence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton had just commenced a game of draughts +with some of the officers who were off duty, when +a messenger entered the gun-room and handed a +"chit" to the senior sub. Not until the man had +gone did the young officer break the momentous +news to the others, apologizing as if the information +might unduly raise their hopes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't want to be too cock-sure, you fellows," +he announced. "Looks as if they're out this time, +but----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I vote we go on deck," suggested a midshipman.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And see the whole of the German fleet," added +a junior watchkeeper facetiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Anyhow, there's 'General Quarters'," retorted +the middy daringly as a bugle rang out, the call +being quickly repeated in various parts of the ship, +"Look alive, you fellows."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stick to me, Sefton," said the senior sub, +snatching his telescope from a rack and making +a bolt for the door. "If there's anything to be +seen of the scrap you'll have a good chance with +me. I'm fire-control, don't you know."</p> +<p class="pnext">Jack Sefton nodded his head in acquiescence. +He was sorry that he was not on board the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, +since there was a greater possibility of the destroyer +flotillas dashing in to complete the work of the +battle-cruisers than of the armoured cruisers +getting within range.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gaining the quarter-deck, the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> sub heard +the unmistakable baritone hum of an aerial +propeller. Overhead, at a low altitude of less than +a thousand feet, a sea-plane was flying in a +northeasterly direction. By the markings on her planes +and fuselage--concentric red, white, and blue +circles--Sefton recognized her as a British one. +It afterwards transpired that Sir David Beatty had +ordered the <em class="italics">Engadine</em> to send up a sea-plane for +reconnaissance work, and that wireless reports were +received from the daring airmen that they had +sighted four hostile light cruisers. The latter opened +a hot fire with every quick-firer they could get to +bear upon the indomitable sea-plane, the range +being less than 3000 yards, but in spite of the hail +of shrapnel the airmen gained their desired +information and returned to their parent ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">On board the <em class="italics">Warrior</em>, as was the case with the +rest of her consorts, hands were hard at work +clearing ship for action. Already the masts and shrouds +had been "frapped", or protected, by means of wire +cables wrapped round the spars and interlaced +between the standing-rigging. "A" and "B" +water-tight doors were closed, armoured hatchways +battened down, and hoses led along the decks in order +to quell the fire that would inevitably break out +should a hostile shell burst inside the armoured +belt. Stanchions, cowls, and all gear likely to +interfere with the training of the guns were +unshipped and stowed, tons of His Majesty's property +were jettisoned, the danger of their remaining on +board being more than sufficient reason for their sacrifice.</p> +<p class="pnext">Inside the turrets, tubs of water were provided to +slake the burning thirst of the guns' crews, for +experience had proved that the acute mental and +physical strain, coupled with the acrid fumes that +drift into the confined steel spaces, produces an +intense dryness of the mouth and throat. Behind +the armoured protection, stretcher-bearers and +fire-parties were preparing for their stern work.</p> +<p class="pnext">Down below, far beneath the water-line, the fleet +surgeon and his staff were getting ready for their +grim yet humane tasks. Operations have to be +performed under great disadvantages, the complexity +of wounds caused by modern shells adding to the +difficulties under which the medical staff labours. +Contrast an operation in a well-ordered hospital on +shore--where perfect quietude reigns and +everything is conducive to success--with the conditions +on board a war-ship in action. The indifferent light, +for the electric lamps are quivering under the +vibration of the guns; the deafening concussion +overhead as the ship gives and receives punishment; +the jerky motion of the vessel as she twists and +turns to the rapid movements of the helm and +quivers under the titanic blows of hostile shells; +and the probability of the ship's bottom being +shattered like an egg-shell by a powerful torpedo--all +these form but a part of the disadvantages under +which the naval medical staff labour during the +progress of an action.</p> +<p class="pnext">Literally imprisoned below the armoured deck, +the grimy stokers were preparing for the coming +ordeal. Hidden from the rest of the ship's +company, they toiled like Trojans in order to raise such +a terrific head of steam as would make the cruiser +"foot it" at a speed far in excess of her +nominal 22.33 knots. In action the lot of the "black +squad" is perhaps the worst on board. Knowing +nothing of what is going on, they have to work +in a confined, heated steel box, shovelling coals +with a dexterity that is the outcome of months of +strenuous training. Besides the risk of torpedoes +and shells there is ever the danger of the boilers +giving way under the pressure of steam, with the +inevitable result--a horrible death in a pitch-black +stokehold filled with scalding steam. And yet, for +easygoing joviality and good comradeship the +naval stoker is hard to beat. He will face +discomforts with a smiling face and a cheerful heart. +He will be ready to risk his life for his chum--or +on the altar of duty.</p> +<p class="pnext">These thoughts flashed through Sefton's mind +as he watched the rapid and methodical preparation +of clearing ship for action. For once the sub +realized that he was a mere spectator--a sort of +pariah, dumped from a comparatively insignificant +destroyer upon a cruiser mustering a complement +of over 700 officers and men. He was aware of +the fact that he was a "deadhead"--an individual +having no right to take part in the forthcoming +contest. The inaction seemed the worst part of the +business as far as he was concerned.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently Sefton's thoughts were interrupted by +the shrill, long-drawn-out trills of the bos'n's +mates' pipes summoning the ship's company to +muster on the quarter-deck. At the double the +men romped aft--every seaman, marine, stoker, and +"idler" not actually prevented by pressure of duty +elsewhere.</p> +<p class="pnext">Since the captain could not quit the fore-bridge +the assembled ship's company was addressed by +the commander. In crisp sentences of simple +brevity he explained to the men the position of +affairs. At length a big action was in progress, he +announced, for a wireless message had just come in +to the effect that the battle-cruisers were already +engaging the enemy at 18,000 yards--a distance of +nearly 11 land miles. More than that, the German +Battle Squadron was coming from the nor'ard, +and there was a grave possibility of the British +battle-cruisers being engaged between the enemy +battleships and their battle-cruisers. In which +case, the commander hastened to explain, losses +would doubtless be severe; but it was part of the +Commander-in-Chief's plan to risk certain of his +battle-cruisers in order to cut off and detain the +German fleet until the British Main Battle Squadrons +got between the enemy and their bases.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I do not expect that we shall go into action just +at present," concluded the commander, "but should +events shape themselves all right we'll be in the +thick of it before long. And I have not the faintest +hesitation in expressing my firm belief that every +man jack of us will do his duty to King and +country, and uphold the traditions of H.M.S. <em class="italics">Warrior</em>."</p> +<p class="pnext">With that the men were dismissed, and, all +preparations having been made, they were at liberty +until the "Action Stations" sounded. That interval +was perhaps the most trying of all. Many of the +ship's company were going into action for the first +time. The majority were laughing and cutting +jokes; some could be seen with grey, anxious faces +as they thought of their dear ones at home; but +amongst the whole complement there was not +the faintest trace of faint-heartedness. From the +captain down to the youngest "first-class" boy +the same sentiment held sway: that the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> +would be able to acquit herself with glory and with +honour.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through the sultry air could be faintly heard the +distant and constant rumble of heavy gun-firing. +The naval action was developing, although the +engaged portions of the rival fleets were fifty or +sixty miles away. The subdued noise made a fitting +accompaniment to the stirring words of the commander.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton, still remaining on the quarter-deck, could +not help admiring the steadiness with which the +cruisers kept station. From time to time hoists of +bunting fluttered to the yard-arm of the flagship +<em class="italics">Defence</em>, the orders they expressed being carried +out with the utmost celerity and precision.</p> +<p class="pnext">A lieutenant descending from the after-bridge +passed along the quarter-deck towards the +companion on the half-deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You're out of it, Sefton, I'm afraid," he +remarked. "We've just had another wireless. Our +destroyers are giving the Huns socks. The old +<em class="italics">Calder</em> is in the thick of it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any losses?" asked Sefton, feeling ready to +kick himself for being out of the scrap.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't know yet," was the reply. "I only----"</p> +<p class="pnext">The lieutenant's words were interrupted by the +blare of a bugle. Turning on his heels he rushed +forward at top speed, for at last the rousing order +"Action at the Double" was given.</p> +<p class="pnext">In an instant all was a scene of "orderly +confusion", each man running with a set purpose. For +the most part the crew were stripped to the +waist--a crowd of muscular-armed, deep-chested, +clean-shaven men in the very pink of condition. Still +exchanging banter, they disappeared to their battle-stations, +eager and alert to let loose a hail of shell +upon the first hostile vessel that came within range.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come along, old man," exclaimed the young +sub who had previously "cottoned on" to Jack +Sefton. "Now's your chance if you want to see the fun."</p> +<p class="pnext">The two junior officers made their way for'ard, +past the starboard guns in their isolated and +closely-sealed steel turrets, until they reached the +foremast.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Up with you," said Sefton's companion laconically.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton agilely ascended to the dizzy perch known +as the fire-control platform. The other sub +followed quickly at his heels, squeezed through the +narrow aperture in the floor of the enclosed space, +and slammed to the metal hinged cover.</p> +<p class="pnext">"At last!" he exclaimed gleefully.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton only nodded in complete accord. A clock +on the after side of the steel wall indicated 5.45. A +glance to the deck a hundred feet below showed no +sign of life. There was nothing to show that +confined within that double-wedge-shaped hull were +close upon seven hundred human beings, all with +one set purpose, as the thirteen thousand tons of +dead-weight forged ahead at full speed towards a +distant blurr just visible through the ever-varying haze.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly the <em class="italics">Defence</em> opened fire with her +for'ard pair of 9.2's, quickly following with her +7.5's. The ball had opened.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fifteen eight hundred, sir," reported one of the +range-finding officers within Sefton's hearing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rapidly yet smoothly the <em class="italics">Warrior's</em> bow guns +rose until Sefton could see their muzzles showing +like oval-shaped cavities against the dull-grey +painted chases. For a second or two only the +weapons hung seemingly irresolute.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then with a concussion that shook the ship the +guns sent their missiles hurtling through the air, +while clouds of acrid-smelling smoke, black, white, +and brown in hue, drifted rapidly across the deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> had her chance--and she was +taking it with a vengeance.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vii-in-the-thick-of-the-fight"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id8">CHAPTER VII--In the Thick of the Fight</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Leaving Sub-lieutenant Jack Sefton on his elevated +perch in the fire-control station, it will be necessary +to follow the fortunes of the vessel from which he +had in theory deserted--the destroyer <em class="italics">Calder</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Like the rest of the flotillas, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> had +cleared for action shortly after noon. Hers was a +far different part from that of the <em class="italics">Warrior</em>. There +was practically no protection for her guns' crew +and for the men serving the torpedo-tubes. Her +conning-tower afforded shelter only from slivers of +steel and the bursting shrapnel; it was vulnerable +to large projectiles. Relying solely on her speed +and quickness of helm, the destroyer's mission was +to dart in towards the enemy lines and get in as +many hits with her torpedoes as possible. Then, +if fortunate enough to escape a direct hit from the +German guns, she would have to scurry back to the +shelter of the battle-cruisers, and await another +opportunity to make a further torpedo attack upon +the enemy.</p> +<p class="pnext">At 3.30 p.m. Beatty's command increased speed +to 25 knots, the Second Battle-cruiser Squadron +forming astern of the First, while a far-flung line of +destroyers took up station ahead. The course was +now E.S.E., slightly converging upon the enemy, +whose ships, looming with varying degrees of +visibility through the haze, were now at a distance +of a little more than ten sea miles.</p> +<p class="pnext">Half that distance away the Fifth Battle Squadron, +including the gigantic <em class="italics">Warspite</em>, was bearing +N.N.W., with the object of supporting the +battle-cruisers when occasion arose.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a proud moment for the gallant Beatty +when he realized that now he was between the +enemy battle-cruisers and their North Sea bases; +while there was an ever-increasing possibility that +Jellicoe's main fleet would speedily be in a position +to cut off the German battleships from their retreat +through the Skager-Rack to Kiel. Yet at the same +time the odds against Beatty were bordering upon +the enormous. His duty was to engage, entice, +and hold the enemy in a northerly direction without +being overwhelmed by superior force. Even at the +risk of losing some of his best ships he had to +engage the attention of the enemy, lure them into +the belief that at last the British battle-cruisers had +run into a trap, and hammer away until the +Commander-in-Chief arrived upon the scene with +a vastly superior fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">At a quarter to five the opposing forces opened +fire simultaneously at a range of 20,000 yards. The +<em class="italics">Calder</em> was keeping station broad on the beam of +the <em class="italics">Queen Mary</em>, and warding off threatened +submarine attacks, for the time was not yet ripe for the +destroyers to hurl themselves against the battered +hostile ships.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove, this is going to be 'some' scrap," +muttered Crosthwaite, as a regular tornado of heavy +shells "straddled" the leading battle-cruisers.</p> +<p class="pnext">At first the German gunnery was excellent, +several direct hits being received by the British +battle-cruisers, but in a few moments the steady, +rapid, methodical salvoes from the British 13.5's +began to make themselves felt. Between the +patches of haze, rent by the lurid flashes of the +guns, could be descried the greenish-grey outlines +of the hostile vessels fast being reduced to +scrap-iron. For the time being all seemed well with the +British battle-cruisers, whose volume of fire was +still being delivered with that terrible regularity +which the Huns have good cause to dread.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly the huge <em class="italics">Indefatigible</em> was destroyed; +a gallant battle-cruiser of nearly 19,000 tons had +paid the price of Admiralty.</p> +<p class="pnext">In previous naval battles such an appalling +catastrophe as the blowing up of a mighty ship +has caused the two fleets spontaneously to cease +fire for a period of some minutes; but in the +Jutland fight, regardless of the fate of the +battle-cruiser, the rest of the squadron redoubled their +efforts. Not for one second did the hellish din +cease, as the death-dealing salvoes hurtled into +the opposing ships. To quote the words of one +on board the <em class="italics">Tiger</em>, it was "a glorified Donnybrook +Fair--whenever you see a head, crack it!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Twenty minutes later Crosthwaite saw the +<em class="italics">Queen Mary</em> sunk. So quickly did she disappear +that the <em class="italics">Tiger</em>, following astern, passed through +the smoke that marked the grave of the devoted ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">Beyond, the <em class="italics">Invincible</em>, already badly hit, sank, +taking with her 750 gallant officers and men.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the Fifth Battle Squadron, which +had been attached to Beatty's command, came into +action, opening fire at 20,000 yards, and although +the pressure of the enemy's predominance in +numbers was considerably relaxed, the danger was +by no means over. For, in the now thicker haze, +the German battle fleet had arrived upon the +scene, and Beatty was literally betwixt two fires. +Yet he handled his vessels with admirable +strategical and tactical skill, being convinced, as was +every man under him, that in spite of losses he was +succeeding in holding the Huns.</p> +<p class="pnext">Majestically the four great battleships, <em class="italics">Warspite</em>, +<em class="italics">Valiant</em>, <em class="italics">Barham</em>, and <em class="italics">Malaya</em>, bore into the mêlée, +each of their 15-inch guns firing with terrible effect. +The head of the German column seemed to be +literally crumpled and crushed. A large +three-funnelled battleship, possibly the <em class="italics">Thuringien</em>, +received terrific punishment. Masts, funnels, turrets, +were blown away piecemeal, until, a mass of smoke +and flames, she hauled off line and was quickly +screened by the smoke from some of the German +destroyers. Whether she sank--and it seemed as +if she could not do otherwise--Crosthwaite was +unable to determine. Other German vessels, badly +damaged, were swung out of position, some of +them on fire and showing a tremendous list.</p> +<p class="pnext">At a quarter to five both fleets altered course +several points, the rival lines turning outwards +and completely reversing their previous direction. +It was at this juncture that the British destroyers +were ordered to take advantage of the confusion +in which the Huns had been thrown and to +launch a torpedo attack upon the battered enemy ships.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now for it," thought Crosthwaite, the glint of +battle in his eyes. It was his chance--a dash in +broad daylight against the quick-firers of the +German vessels. Never before in the history of +naval warfare had destroyers been ordered to attack +battleships save at night. Everything depended +upon skill in handling, speed, and the turmoil into +which the enemy had been thrown by the terrific +gun-fire of the battleships of the <em class="italics">Queen Elizabeth</em> class.</p> +<p class="pnext">In four columns line ahead the destroyer flotillas +raced off at top speed. Drawing clear of the +cruisers, they turned 8 points to starboard, a course +that would bring them in contact with the enemy +line. Thick clouds of fire-tinged smoke belched +from their funnels--not due to bad stoking but to +the deliberate manipulation of the oil-fuel-fed +furnaces, since smoke alone offered any concealment +during the daylight attack.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a couple of quartermasters, a signalman, +and a messenger to attend to the voice-tubes, +Crosthwaite took up his station within the +conning-tower. All his mental powers were at work, +and yet he remained perfectly cool and collected. +Hardly a detail that came under his notice of that +onward rush escaped his recollection.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the first few miles the destroyers kept perfect +station. Had they been on peace manoeuvres +their relative distances could not have been better +maintained. Through the eddying, ash-laden +smoke, Crosthwaite strained his bloodshot eyes +upon the destroyer next ahead, ready at the first +sign to reduce speed or swerve should the little +craft be hit or fall out of line. The possibility +of the <em class="italics">Calder</em> being "done in" never occurred +to him, once the order had been given to attack. +It was always one of her consorts that might meet +with ill-luck, but Crosthwaite's command--no, never.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shells were beginning to ricochet from the water +all around the devoted destroyers; yet, seemingly +bearing a charmed life, they held grimly on their way.</p> +<p class="pnext">More than once the sharp crash of a projectile +exploding astern caused the lieutenant-commander +to turn his head. Already rents were visible in the +<em class="italics">Calder's</em> funnels, through which the smoke poured +in long trailing wisps. By the two tubes the +torpedo-men stood rigidly at attention. Their two +deadly weapons had been "launched home" and +the tubes trained ten degrees for'ard of the beam. +With his hand upon the firing-trigger the torpedo +coxswain of each end waited, as impassive as if +carved in marble, ready to speed the missile on its +way, and apparently indifferent to the fact that a +sliver of steel striking the deadly warhead would +involve the destroyer and her entire crew in +absolute and instantaneous destruction.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly the leading destroyer ported helm, +turning so swiftly and listing so excessively that, +for the moment, Crosthwaite thought that she had +received a mortal blow. Her alert commander had +noticed a suspicious movement amongst the +irregular line of battered German war-ships, now +almost within effective torpedo range.</p> +<p class="pnext">Out from behind the screen of battleships tore +a German light cruiser and nearly a score of their +ocean-going torpedo-boats. Whether it was with +the intention of intercepting the British destroyers, +or whether about to launch a torpedo attack upon +Beatty's battle-cruisers, Crosthwaite knew not. All +he did know was that the rival flotillas were +closing at an aggregate rate of more than a mile a +minute, and that the next few seconds would find +the torpedo-craft mixed up in a most unholy scrap.</p> +<p class="pnext">All attempts at formation were now cast to the +winds. Interlining, dodging across each other's +bows, the engaging vessels raced madly to and fro, +their quick-firers barking as rapidly as the gunners +could thrust home the cartridges and clang the +breech-blocks. So intricate was the manoeuvring +that Crosthwaite saw two German torpedo-boats +collide, and, while in that position, they were raked +by a dozen shells from the <em class="italics">Turbulent</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost the next instant he was aware that a +similar peril threatened the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, for a British +destroyer, hit in her engine-room, circled +erratically to starboard across her bows.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gripping the engine-room telegraph-indicator +levers, Crosthwaite rammed them to full speed +astern. It was his only chance, for he could not +pass either across the bows or astern of the crippled +destroyer without certain risk of colliding with +others of the flotilla. Then he waited--perhaps +five seconds--in breathless suspense. Thank God, +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> began to lose way! It now remained to +be seen whether she would gather sternway before +her sharp stem crashed into the other destroyer +amidships.</p> +<p class="pnext">Even as he gripped the levers Crosthwaite saw +the crew of the crippled craft's after 4-inch gun +slew the weapon round to have a smack at the +German vessel that had hit her so badly. The +gun-layer, pressing his shoulder to the recoil-pad, +bent over the sights. The next instant a hostile +shell landed fairly upon the 4-inch quick-firer, +bursting with an ear-splitting detonation.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the smoke had drifted away, the gun was +no longer visible, only a few twisted pieces of +metal marking the spot where the mounting had +stood. Of the men serving the quick-firer only +one remained--the gun-layer. By the vagaries of +explosion he was practically unhurt, except for +being partially stunned by the terrible detonation. +For some minutes he stood stock-still, as if unable +to realize that the gun and his comrades had +disappeared; then, making a sudden bound, he leapt +into the sea. Evidently under the impression that +the vessel was on the point of foundering, he had +decided to swim for it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Well it was for him that the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was now +almost motionless, although her propellers were +going hard astern. Caught by the backwash of +the revolving screws, he was swept past the side +like a cork in a mountain torrent, until one of the +men on the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> fore-bridge threw him a rope.</p> +<p class="pnext">As coolly as if mustering for divisions, the +rescued gun-layer made his way aft, and, saluting +the gunner, requested to be allowed to assist in +serving the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> after 4-inch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Out from behind a dense cloud of smoke leapt +a German torpedo-boat. Her commander had +spotted the <em class="italics">Calder</em> practically without steerage-way, +and had made up his mind to ram, since his own +craft was badly hit and could not keep afloat much +longer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Quickly Crosthwaite shouted an order. A torpedo +leapt from the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> deck and disappeared +with a splash beneath the surface. Anxiously the +lieutenant-commander watched the ever-diverging +lines that marked the track of the locomotive +weapon. The target was a difficult one, although +the range was but 200 yards.</p> +<p class="pnext">The German skipper saw the approaching danger +and attempted to port helm. Crippled in the steam +steering-gear, the Hun torpedo-boat was slow in +answering. A column of water leapt 200 feet in +the air; by the time it subsided the hostile craft +was no longer in existence, save as a shattered and +torn hull plunging through nineteen fathoms of +water to her ocean bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the German torpedo-craft had had +about enough of it. At least two of them had been +sunk by German gun-fire, while another pair, their +upper works reduced to a mass of tangled +scrap-iron, had mistaken each other for foes, with the +result that a German destroyer had been sent to +the bottom by a torpedo from her consort.</p> +<p class="pnext">Turning back, the battered remnants of the Hun +flotilla fled for the shelter of their battle-cruisers. +The path was now clear for the furtherance of the +British destroyers' attack upon the larger vessels of +the hostile fleet; but the difficulties had increased +tenfold owing to the injury of some of the boats, +which were compelled to slacken speed and drop astern.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yet undaunted, the black-hulled hornets +reformed into some semblance of order, and, under +a galling fire, hurled themselves upon the +formidable array of German battle-cruisers.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viii-the-calder-s-second-scoop"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id9">CHAPTER VIII--The "Calder's" Second Scoop</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Of the mad, desperate, and, above all, glorious +race into the gates of a maritime hell Crosthwaite +saw but little beyond his immediate front. Since +the British destroyers were under the fire of +projectiles ranging from 11-inch downwards, it was +evident that the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> light-armoured +conning-tower would afford little protection, and if it +were hit by a heavy shell the fate of all within +would be sealed. So, standing on the starboard +extremity of the bridge, the lieutenant-commander +took his craft into the second phase of the destroyer +attack.</p> +<p class="pnext">Up to the present not a single British destroyer +had been sunk, although some had been compelled +to retire owing to damage received during their +scrap with the hostile torpedo flotilla; but the good +start in this direction was no longer maintained.</p> +<p class="pnext">A large destroyer, subsequently identified as the +<em class="italics">Nomad</em>, was struck by a huge projectile almost +amidships. A rush of scalding steam, followed by +clouds of smoke, announced that the engine-room +was wrecked, and that the vessel was no longer +under control.</p> +<p class="pnext">Porting helm, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> ran past the lee of the +crippled destroyer, the smoke from which +undoubtedly saved Crosthwaite's command from +severe punishment.</p> +<p class="pnext">For nearly half a mile the <em class="italics">Nomad</em> carried way, +until she came to a stop between the lines. The +last Crosthwaite saw of her was the destroyer, still +afloat, maintaining a desultory fire, although a +stationary target for an overwhelming number of +hostile guns.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly Crosthwaite staggered, hurled sideways +by an invisible force. The guard-rail, which +he was still gripping, was no longer supported by +the stanchions. Falling heavily upon the bridge, +he was within an ace of dropping overboard when +a signalman gripped him by the ankles.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lieutenant-commander regained his feet in +an instant, barely conscious of his narrow escape, +for a 4-inch shell had passed so close to him that +the windage had capsized him. Crashing aft, the +projectile demolished the short mast supporting the +wireless, hurling the fragments upon the deck. +The White Ensign, which had fluttered from this +masthead during the action, had blown against the +mounting of the after 4-inch gun. Although little +more than a riddled piece of bunting, it was secured +by one of the men and lashed to the stump of the mast.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hardly had the dauntless man completed his +self-imposed task when another shell struck the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> obliquely on the port bow. Penetrating +the fo'c'sle, it burst with a muffled report, but, +instead of shattering the for'ard part of the destroyer, +it emitted dense clouds of greenish-yellow smoke +that eddied through the shattered plating on the +fore-deck and drifted sullenly aft.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a second Crosthwaite realized the danger. +The shell had been filled with poisonous gas, and +just at the time when the ship was getting within +torpedo-range, and the men had to direct all their +energies upon loosing the 21-inch weapons, the +asphyxiating fumes threatened to put them, at +least temporarily, out of action.</p> +<p class="pnext">With his hands clasped to his mouth and nostrils +Crosthwaite awaited the noxious vapour, hoping +that the head wind caused by the rush of the +destroyer through the water would quickly disperse +the poison; but with horrible persistence the deadly +smoke hovered betwixt the various projections on deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was conscious of the quartermaster and the +others on the bridge staggering, with their fingers +frantically gripping their throats. The signalman +who had previously saved his commanding officer +from falling overboard was writhing in agony, +clawing at whatever came to hand, until in a frenzy +he took a flying leap over the side and sank like a +stone.</p> +<p class="pnext">Left to herself, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> began a broad sweep +to starboard. As she did so, the fumes drifted to +leeward, yet not before the men standing by the +pair of torpedo-tubes were temporarily overcome +by the diabolical product of German <em class="italics">Kultur</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">In vain Crosthwaite attempted to rally the men. +It was either now or never, for, unless the torpedoes +were fired, the opportunity would be gone. He +tried to shout, but no sound came from his tortured +throat. Between the eddying clouds of steam and +smoke he could discern the torpedo-men moving +like stupefied bees.</p> +<p class="pnext">With an effort the lieutenant-commander regained +his voice. He turned to the quartermaster, who, +although still gasping for breath, had come through +the terrible ordeal with comparatively slight ill-effects.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Keep her steady on her helm," exclaimed +Crosthwaite, and, literally tumbling down the +bridge ladder, he made his way aft to the torpedo-tubes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pushing aside two victims of the poison-gas, one +of them the L.T.O., who lay athwart the racer, the +lieutenant-commander gripped the training-wheel +and slewed the pair of tubes until they were nearly +broad on the beam. At 2000 yards distance three +large battle-cruisers over-lapped, presenting a +target nearly 1800 feet in length. To miss such +an objective seemed almost impossible.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a wrench Crosthwaite dropped the +firing-lever of the right-hand tube. Through the thin +haze that emerged from the metal cylinder, he +caught a glimpse of the gleaming, steel, +cigar-shaped missile as it leapt clear and disappeared +with a mighty splash beneath the water. Then, +changing over to the left-hand tube, he sent the +second weapon on its errand of destruction.</p> +<p class="pnext">A sudden and a totally unexpected swerve of the +ship prevented Crosthwaite from observing the +result of his single-handed efforts. Instinctively +he realized that his presence was again required on +the bridge. As he hastened for'ard he almost +collided with Surgeon Stirling, who, in his shirt-sleeves, +had come up from below to aid the sufferers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Seeing Crosthwaite stagger along with his +features contorted and his complexion showing a +sickly yellow in spite of the tan, the doctor +hurried after him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not this time, Doc," protested the lieutenant-commander +with a wan smile, as he lurched forward. +His brain was whirling under the strain +of the awful ordeal, yet he was dimly conscious +that something was amiss, and that at all costs he +must return to his post.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was barely in time. The quartermaster was +huddled in a heap at the base of the steam +steering-gear column with a ghastly wound in his thigh. +The destroyer, left to her own devices, once more +was bearing down upon one of her helpless consorts.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thrusting the wheel hard over, Crosthwaite +found that the vessel was still under control. +Almost by a hairbreadth she scraped the port +quarter of the crippled destroyer, whose decks were +literally swept by the enemy's fire, and resembled +a charnel-house. Nothing could be done to save +her, for she was already on the point of foundering. +Of her crew not one visible remained alive. She +had fought to the death--a typical example of +British pluck and endurance against overwhelming odds.</p> +<p class="pnext">Her last torpedoes fired, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was free to +make good her escape--if she could. Receiving +a couple of glancing hits as she sped towards the +shelter, she slid past the foremost of the British +battle-cruisers, receiving three hearty cheers from +the crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">The second phase of the destroyer operations was +over. Although not so successful as had been +expected, owing to the formation having been +disturbed by the encounter with the German torpedo +flotillas, the dash was not without definite material +gains. <em class="italics">Nomad</em> and <em class="italics">Nestor</em> had not returned, and +were presumed to be sunk, a surmise that +subsequently proved to be correct, since a portion of +their crews were rescued by the German torpedo-craft.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having brought the <em class="italics">Calder</em> safely out of the +inferno, Crosthwaite's next step was to take stock +of damages and report to the commander of his +flotilla.</p> +<p class="pnext">The wireless was by this time again made +serviceable, several of the crew having worked while +under fire on setting up the aerials which had been +carried away with the demolition of the after-mast.</p> +<p class="pnext">Others were busily engaged in putting patches +on the gaping rents in the funnel casings and +stopping the shell-holes in the thin plating. +Fortunately the engine-room had escaped serious +damage, only two casualties occurring owing to +an auxiliary steam-pipe being severed by a sliver +of shell.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the whole the <em class="italics">Calder</em> had come off lightly. +The worst damage to personnel had been caused +by the gas-shell, for, before the fumes had +dispersed, six men had lost their lives and ten others +had been incapacitated by the poisonous fumes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"She's as fit as ever she was in my department," +reported Engineer-Lieutenant Boxspanner. +"Hope to goodness we shan't be ordered to haul +out of it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I trust not," replied Crosthwaite. "Must turn +a blind eye to some of the defects, I suppose. +What did it feel like down below?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Boxspanner shrugged his broad shoulders. It +was the first time he had been in action, his +appointment to the <em class="italics">Calder</em> being of recent date.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was all right after the first half-minute or +so," replied the engineer-lieutenant. "The racket +at first was enough to stun a fellow. I suppose in +this job one can get used to anything. Where's +Stirling, by the by?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Busy," replied Crosthwaite gravely. "Come +and see him at work--if you can stick it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Well it was that the Admiralty, with their +customary promptitude to promote the welfare of +the fighting fleet, had lost no time in appointing +scores of probationary assistant surgeons to the +destroyers immediately after the outbreak of +hostilities. Previously no medical staff had been +carried on these small craft. A casualty occurring +on board, and accidents in the engine-rooms, were +not of unfrequent occurrence; the patients had to +rely upon the well-meant attentions of their +comrades until they were transferred either to a parent +ship or to one of the shore hospitals.</p> +<p class="pnext">Dr. "Jimmy" Stirling was a man who took life +seriously. At times he was almost pessimistic, +although there were occasions when a sudden spirit +of youthful exuberance would take complete +possession of him.</p> +<p class="pnext">In his shirt-sleeves, and with a blood-stained +apron that an hour previously had been spotlessly +white tied closely under his armpits, the surgeon +was working with deliberate haste, performing a +serious operation at a speed that would have turned +a hospital probationer pale with apprehension.</p> +<p class="pnext">The confined space which had been turned into +a sick-bay reeked with chloroform and iodoform. +Wounded men were vying with each other in their +efforts to make light of their injuries, whilst those +who were able to smoke aroused the envy of their +less fortunate comrades. It was considered "good +form" for a patient to utter a rough-and-ready jest +at his own case, while grim, but none the less +sympathetic, words were bestowed upon their nearest +fellow-sufferers. It was a curious physiological +fact that a man who would have raved at a careless +comrade for having accidentally dropped some +gear, narrowly missing his head, greeted the +information that he would lose his right arm with +the nonchalant remark: "Anyhow, when I get +home on leaf my missus can't make me dig the +bloomin' allotment."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let's get out of this, sir," whispered the +engineer-lieutenant. "Thought it would take a lot +to capsize me, but, by Jove----!"</p> +<p class="pnext">He backed abruptly, followed by the lieutenant-commander. +Stirling, deep in his task, had not +noticed their presence.</p> +<p class="pnext">A barefooted signalman, his blackened face and +scorched and torn singlet bearing testimony to his +part in the "scrap", pattered along the shell-pitted +deck, and, saluting, tendered a signal-pad to his +commanding officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite took the paper and read the message +scrawled thereon in violet pencil.</p> +<p class="pnext">"H'm!" he muttered. "S'pose they want us out of it."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was an order to the effect that the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was +to steam to a certain rendezvous, fall in with one +of the parent ships, transfer wounded, and await +further orders. There seemed very little +possibility of the destroyer participating in the night +attack upon the German fleet--an operation in +which the swiftly-moving British vessels might +achieve greater results, even if they failed to +surpass the glory they had already acquired by their +wild, tempestuous dash in broad daylight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Almost wish I'd let the damaged wireless go +for a bit," mused Crosthwaite as he made his way +to the badly-shattered bridge.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ix-the-warrior-s-gallant-stand"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id10">CHAPTER IX--The "Warrior's" Gallant Stand</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"What do you think we are up against?" asked +Sefton, taking advantage of a lull in the firing to +put the question to his companion in the fire-control +station.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Something big," replied the other, wiping a +thin layer of coal dust and particles of burnt cordite +from the lenses of his binoculars. "With this +rotten mist hanging around, one has to be jolly +careful not to pitch a salvo into one of our own +craft. Wish to goodness I'd remembered to bring +my camera along. By Jove! Wouldn't the old +<em class="italics">Defence</em> make a fine picture when she opened fire?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll fetch it for you," volunteered Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">His companion looked at him in astonishment.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I mean it," continued the sub. "We won't be +in action again for quite ten minutes, unless those +Huns take it into their heads to alter course--which +I don't fancy will be at all likely."</p> +<p class="pnext">He pointed to five faint objects scurrying farther +away through the patches of haze. They were +German light cruisers, which, having had a taste +of the salvoes of the leading ships of the First +Cruiser Squadron, had thought it prudent to sheer off.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then look slippy, old bird," said the other. +"I'm rather keen on getting the thing; I'd go +myself if I were not here on duty with a capital D. +I'll pass the word for the covers to be left open for +your return."</p> +<p class="pnext">Gaining the shrouds, Sefton descended cautiously, +for already fragments of exploding shells had cut +through several of the wire strands, and had played +havoc with the ratlines.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gaining the fore-bridge, he descended the ladder +to the superstructure, and, passing in the wake of +the trained-abeam turrets, reached the only +hatchway leading to the main deck that had not been +closed with an armoured lid.</p> +<p class="pnext">'Tween decks the air was hot and oppressive. +The confined space reeked with cordite fumes. +Through the brown haze a streak of yellow light +played upon the deck--a beam of sunlight entering +through a jagged shell-hole in the ship's side.</p> +<p class="pnext">Farther along, a party of sick-bay men were +lowering a stretcher through a hatchway. On the +stretcher was strapped a wounded petty officer, one +of whose legs had been shattered below the knee.</p> +<p class="pnext">The man was struggling violently, and expostulating +in no mild terms. Ignorant of his terrible +injuries, he was insisting on being allowed to +return to his station and "have another smack at +the Huns".</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't go no farther this way, sir," announced +a marine, recognizing the sub, and knowing that +he was new to the ship. "Bulkhead doors are +shut. There's a way round past the issue-room, +sir, down this 'ere ladder."</p> +<p class="pnext">The "issue-room" was open. An electric lamp +illuminated the irregular-shaped space, which on +one side was bounded by the convex base of the +after turret, a 6-inch wall of hard steel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton could hear voices raised in loud and +vehement argument: two assistant ship's stewards +were discussing the respective merits of music-hall +favourites.</p> +<p class="pnext">A third voice joined in the discussion--that of +one of the ship's boys.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Taint neither the one or t'other," he began. +"I was a-saying----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then don't say it, but get on with your job," +interrupted the first speaker. "Those casks look +a regular disgrace. You haven't polished the +brasswork for more'n three days, and it's captain's +rounds to-morrow."</p> +<p class="pnext">The next instant came a regular avalanche of +flour-sacks, casks, copper measures, and other +paraphernalia pertaining to the ship's steward's +department. Across the raised coaming of the doorway +tripped the three occupants of the issue-room, +landing in a struggling, confused heap at Sefton's feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">From a distance of nearly nine miles an 11-inch +shell had hit the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> abreast of the after turret. +It was some little time before it was realized that +the damage was slight.</p> +<p class="pnext">The first to pick himself up was the ship's +steward's boy.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Guess you don't want me to carry on with that +there polishing job," he remarked nonchalantly, as +he heaved the winded petty officer to his feet and +indicated the debris of the brass-bound casks.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton lost no time in fetching the camera from +the gun-room. Slinging it round his neck, he +gained the upper deck, and began his ascent to +the fire-control platform.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks," said his companion, as the sub +handed the precious apparatus to him. "You're +only just in time. Those light cruisers have altered +helm 16 points. Looks fishy, by Jove! They've +something behind them to back them up."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was now nearly six o'clock. Already the +<em class="italics">Defence</em> was hurling shells at the leading German +light cruiser at 14,000 yards, the range momentarily +decreasing as the two squadrons closed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Huns were certainly not devoid of pluck, +although, as Sefton's chum had remarked, they +evidently had some card up their sleeves.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the next fifteen minutes the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> and +her consorts were at it "hammer and tongs", +directing a furious fire into the head of the +approaching column. One of the hostile cruisers, +hit by a double salvo from the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> and the +<em class="italics">Defence</em>, capsized and sank. Another, burning +fiercely in three different places, hauled out of line.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Great sport, isn't it?" exclaimed Sefton's +companion, setting down his range-finder, for the +distance had now decreased to 5000 yards, so that +the gun-layers were able to trace their weapons +independently of orders from the fire-control.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly and unexpectedly a salvo of heavy +shells hurtled through the haze, and, with deadly +precision, riddled the flagship <em class="italics">Defence</em> through +and through. Her masts and funnels went by the +board, flames burst from her for'ard, 'midships, and +aft, while with her engines disabled she dropped +slowly astern.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was now the <em class="italics">Warrior's</em> turn to lead the line. +As she forged ahead, other enormous shells +straddled her, coming in different direction from +the tempest of shot that had crippled the <em class="italics">Defence</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove!" ejaculated Sefton. "We're in for it now."</p> +<p class="pnext">Between the drifting clouds of smoke could be +discerned the huge shapes of a dozen large battleships +and battle-cruisers, not those of Jellicoe's +command, but flying the Black Cross ensign of +Germany. On the port side, at less than 4000 +yards, were four hostile battle-cruisers. At a +similar distance to starboard were at least five +battleships of the <em class="italics">König</em> class.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Warrior</em> and <em class="italics">Defence</em>, hemmed in by vastly +superior numbers, and menaced by guns of far +greater calibre, were seemingly doomed to +annihilation. All that remained, as far as human +judgment went, was to fight to the last and worthily +uphold the glorious traditions of the Senior Service.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Warrior</em> held grimly on her way, battered +fore and aft on all sides from the gradually +contracting circle of big German ships. In spite of +the terrific hail of projectiles rained upon her, the +<em class="italics">Warrior</em> still maintained a rapid and determined +fire. It was against overwhelming odds, and the +Huns knew it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently a violent thud caused the already +trembling fire-control platform to shake to such +an extent that Sefton quite thought the whole +concern was about to tumble over the side. A shell +had shattered the fore-topmast, the debris falling +athwart the steel canopy protecting the range-finding +officers. With the topmast came a raffle +of gear, including the wireless aerials.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the cruiser was hulled over and +over again. Several of her 7-inch-gun turrets had +been bodily swept away with their crews; two +funnels had gone by the board; the remaining +pair, perforated like sieves, were held in position +merely by the wire guys. A fierce fire was raging +aft, an incendiary shell having landed in the +wardroom, while a heavy dose of poison-gas prevented +any of the crew from attempting to quench the flames.</p> +<p class="pnext">Twelve minutes of terrible battering the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> +stood, until an 11-inch shell, ripping through her +6-inch armoured belt, burst inside the port +engine-room, shattering the main steam-pipe.</p> +<p class="pnext">The scene in the confined space was terrible +beyond description. The concussion had shattered +every electric lamp, the oil ones were extinguished +by the noxious fumes. The floor of the engine-room +was flooded to a depth of four inches with +scalding water that surged to and fro with each +roll of the sorely-pressed vessel, and added to the +torments of the men already wounded by the shell +explosion.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yet even in that inferno there were men whose +courage did not desert them, and dozens of heroic +and never-to-be-recorded deeds were performed in +the darkness of the scalding engine-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the starboard engine-room was swept by +the explosion of a shell, increasing to a terrible +extent the casualties amongst the courageous +"black squad". For nearly two miles the +<em class="italics">Warrior</em> carried away, until, deprived of the means of +propulsion, she lay, a battered hulk, surrounded +by her enemies.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the story of the <em class="italics">Revenge</em> over again, but +with a different sequel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton realized that he and his companions were +virtually prisoners in the fire-control platform. +Even had they dared to risk descending through +that tornado of shrapnel and flying slivers of +molten steel, their means of escape was limited to +one solitary shroud. The rest, "whipped" into +a confused tangle, were trailing over the ship's sides.</p> +<p class="pnext">Passive spectators, for their work aloft was done, +they awaited the end, their eyes fixed upon the +German battle-cruisers as at intervals they became +visible through the drifting cloud of smoke and steam.</p> +<p class="pnext">Only two guns of the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> were now replying +to the hostile fire, barking slowly, yet resolutely, +as they sent their projectiles hurtling through the +air at the nearmost of the assailants, now but 3500 +yards distant.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove, look!" exclaimed Sefton's chum, +pointing with a bandaged hand at a large object +looming through the smoke close under the +<em class="italics">Warrior's</em> stern.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the gigantic battleship <em class="italics">Warspite</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Tearing along at well over her contract speed, +the 27,500-ton leviathan meant business. Receiving +a salvo of heavy shells that were intended to +administer a <em class="italics">coup de grâce</em> to the crippled <em class="italics">Warrior</em>, +and which for the most part rebounded harmlessly +from her armour, the <em class="italics">Warspite</em> let rip with her +splendid 15-inch guns. At the second salvo a +German battle-cruiser simply crumpled up and +vanished in a cloud of smoke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pitted for the first time in this particular +engagement against guns of more than their own calibre, +the Germans began to fire most erratically. Many +of the projectiles fell into the sea. Their shooting, +hitherto fairly accurate, became wild and +spasmodic. They were learning the truth about modern +British gunnery, with British hearts of oak behind +the powerful weapons.</p> +<p class="pnext">But, in spite of her size and superiority of +armament, the <em class="italics">Warspite</em> did not come off unscathed. +At a critical moment her steam steering-gear +jammed, and round she circled, straight for the +enemy's line. Before the damage could be +rectified she was hit several times, losing, amongst +other gear, her wireless aerials. While she was +still under fire a hostile submarine let off a couple +of torpedoes, both of which fortunately missed +their mark.</p> +<p class="pnext">The action had already passed away from the +battered <em class="italics">Warrior</em>. She had played her part. It +remained to save herself from foundering, if she +could--a truly herculean task.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-x-battered-but-unconquered"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id11">CHAPTER X--Battered but Unconquered</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Almost as in a dream Sefton realized that he was +still alive. His hearing was practically done for, +owing to the terrific detonation of the guns. His +eyes were red and smarting from the effects of +numerous particles of soot and dust that had +drifted in through the sighting apertures of the +fire-control station. He could scarcely speak, his +throat was parched and gripped by a terrible thirst. +His borrowed uniform was rent in several places, +while the right leg of his trousers was warm and +moist. Unknown to him, a splinter of metal had +cut a clean gash just above the knee. In the +excitement of the action he had not felt the wound. +Now it was beginning to throb painfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The stick will go by the board before long," +remarked an officer, as the crippled foremast gave +a sickening jerk with the roll of the ship to +starboard. "The sooner we get out of this the better, +I fancy."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was easier said than done. Even if the +attention of the men on deck--and they were busily +engaged with hoses in quelling the numerous small +outbreaks of fire amidships--could be attracted, it +was wellnigh impossible to form a means of +communication with the elevated masthead platform.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Worth risking it?" queried Sefton's chum, +indicating the solitary shroud on either side of the +mast.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub shook his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A tall order," he replied. "I don't seem to +have the strength of a steerage rat for a swarm-down +from this height. No thanks, I'm not taking any."</p> +<p class="pnext">"If we had only a coil of signal halyard," +remarked the range-finding officer tentatively, +"we might---- But there isn't a couple of +fathoms of line left aloft."</p> +<p class="pnext">He thrust his head and shoulders through a hole +in the steel plating, and surveyed the scene 100 feet +below. Viewed from that dizzy height, the prospect +of descending by means of a wire stay was not +inviting.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hallo!" he exclaimed. "There's a bluejacket +swarming aloft."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bluejacket" was hardly a strictly correct +description, for climbing hand over hand was a man +clad only in a pair of canvas trousers. From his +waist upwards he was stripped. His feet, too, +were bare. His bronzed face, neck, and hands +stood out in vivid contrast to the whiteness of the +rest of the skin. His muscles, like whipcord, +rippled as he ascended with a steady, even +movement towards the isolated foretop. From his belt +trailed a line the coils of which were being +carefully "paid out" by a seaman standing on the +extremity of the badly-damaged fore-bridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">Half-way up the shroud the climber paused to +regain his breath. As he threw back his head to +gauge the remaining distance, his face was revealed +to the group on the swaying platform.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By George!" ejaculated Sefton's chum. "It's +the man you went into the ditch after."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was Able Seaman Brown. Having lost touch +with his officer during the engagement, his first +thoughts after the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> had ceased fire were for +the sub who had risked his life on his behalf. +Enquiries elicited the information that Sefton had +been last seen while ascending to the fire-control +platform.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Blow me if they ain't properly cut off," muttered +the man, as he eyed the precarious perch. "Here goes."</p> +<p class="pnext">Obtaining the consent of one of the officers to +attempt his perilous ascent, A.B. Brown was now +well on his way to establish communication with +the deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">Perspiring from every pore, his muscles creaking +under the strain, the horny palms of his hands +lacerated by the frayed strands of the wire, the +seaman at length gained one of the angle-girders +upon which the platform was bolted. Here he +remained for fully five minutes before essaying +the last part of his journey.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hanging from the metal structure was a block, +from which the running-gear had long since +"rendered through". The man examined it critically. +To all outward appearance it seemed to be sound.</p> +<p class="pnext">Jockeying himself along the sharp-edged angle-plate, +Brown rove the end of the rope through the +block, and "paid out" until the line touched the +deck. Fortunately there was enough to spare. +Three or four of the <em class="italics">Warrior's</em> crew were standing +by to give assistance, and quickly bent a "bos'n's +chair" to one end of the rope.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come along, sir," exclaimed the A.B. encouragingly. +"We'll have the lot of you down in a jiffy."</p> +<p class="pnext">He held out his hand to steady Sefton on his +dizzy journey along the metal "bracket", until a +sudden thought flashed across his mind. What if +the rope carried away or the pulley-block was +defective?</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold on, sir," he said. "I'll show you the way down."</p> +<p class="pnext">He signalled for the bos'n's chair to be sent +aloft, reflecting that if the appliance were strong +enough to bear his weight--he could give Sefton +nearly a couple of stones--the sub would run very +little risk. If, on the other hand, the gear carried +away, he reflected grimly, his "number would be up".</p> +<p class="pnext">Sliding into the wooden seat, the A.B. motioned +to his comrades to lower. Handsomely the men +paid out the comparatively frail rope until Brown's +bare feet came in contact with the bridge planking.</p> +<p class="pnext">Five minutes later, the three seamen who had +been attending to the voice-tubes in the fire-control +station were lowered into safety, in spite of the fact +that one was in a semi-conscious condition owing +to a shrapnel wound in his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton was the next to descend, after a spirited +argument with his brother sub on the etiquette of +seniority, until the lieutenant settled his subordinate's +dispute by declaring that Sefton was a guest, +and that the question of precedence did not hold +good in present circumstances.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length all the occupants of the fire-control +platform were lowered in safety. Barely had the +lieutenant gained the deck when Sefton's companion +gave vent to an exclamation of annoyance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dash it all!" he exclaimed. "I clean forgot +all about that camera. Here goes."</p> +<p class="pnext">Slipping into the bos'n's chair he made the +men haul away for all they were worth, and, +spinning round at the end of the rope, the <em class="italics">Warrior's</em> +sub again ascended to the dizzy, insecure perch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton watched him disappear into the recesses +of the enclosed space, presently to reappear with +the precious camera dangling round his neck.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wouldn't have lost it for anything," remarked +the young officer as he regained the fore-bridge. +"I've knocked about with it ever since I was at +Osborne, you know."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take anything during the action?" enquired Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove, no, I didn't! Clean forgot all about it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And I fancy, old bird, you won't again," +interposed an assistant paymaster, vainly attempting +to "open out" the folding camera. "It's done for."</p> +<p class="pnext">Which was only too true. A fragment of shell +had penetrated the case, reducing the delicate +mechanism to a complete wreck.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Look out! Stand clear!" shouted a dozen voices.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a rending crash the crippled mast buckled +up and disappeared over the side.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton glanced at his chum. The imperturbable +sub shrugged his shoulders.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Better to be born lucky than rich, old man," he +remarked. "But, by heavens, what a jamboree!"</p> +<p class="pnext">He could find no other words to describe the +scene of destruction. Now that the ship was out +of action, and the excitement of the titanic struggle +was over, the grim realization of what a naval +engagement means was beginning to reveal itself to +the survivors of the gallant crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">All the fires had been extinguished, with the +exception of the big outbreak aft. Gangs of men +toiled desperately at the hand-pumps with a double +purpose. The <em class="italics">Warrior</em> was making water freely. +Already her stokeholds and engine-rooms were +flooded. Deprived of the aid of her powerful steam +bilge-pumps it seemed doubtful if the hand +appliances would be able to cope with the steady inrush. +Moreover, a considerable volume of water had to be +directed upon the fire.</p> +<p class="pnext">Officers with blackened faces and scorched +uniforms encouraged the men by word and deed. At +whatever cost the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> had to be saved from +foundering if human efforts were capable of such +a herculean task. Undaunted, the crew toiled +manfully, fighting fire and water at one and the +same time.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already the dead had been identified and given +a hasty, yet impressive, burial, while--an ominous +sign--the wounded had been brought up from +below and laid in rows upon the upper deck. It +was a necessary precaution, and clearly indicated +the grave possibility of the old <em class="italics">Warrior</em> being +unable to battle much longer against the +ever-increasing leaks.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was now plenty of work for Sefton to do. +Placed in charge of one of the fire-parties he was +soon strenuously engaged in fighting the +conflagration. With the flooding of the after magazine +all danger of an explosion was now at an end, but, +unless the flames were speedily quelled, the +possibility of foundering would be materially increased, +since several shell-holes betwixt wind and water had +occurred in that part of the ship still dominated by +the outbreak.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although no doubt existed in the minds of the +<em class="italics">Warrior's</em> crew as to the outcome of the general +engagement, they were in suspense owing to a total +lack of news. Without wireless they were debarred +from communication with the rest of the squadron. +As helpless as a log, the battered vessel was +floating in the vast expanse of the North Sea without +a single vessel in sight. The roar of the battle had +rolled on far to the nor'ard, and although the +incessant rumble of the terrific cannonade was +distinctly audible, the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> was as ignorant of the +course of events as if she had been a hundred +miles away.</p> +<p class="pnext">The almost flat calm had given place to sullen +undulations rippled by a steady breeze that +threatened before long to develop into a hard blow. +There was every indication of an angry sea before +nightfall.</p> +<p class="pnext">An hour had elapsed since the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> had +ceased firing--sixty minutes of strenuous exertion +on the part of all hands--when a vessel was sighted +apparently steaming in the crippled cruiser's direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">For some moments suspense ran high, for +whether the strange craft were friend or foe no one +on board could give a definite decision.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you make of her?" enquired Sefton's +chum as the two young officers stood under the +lee of a partly demolished gun-turret.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Precious little," replied Sefton. "Can't say +that I am able to recognize her. But in these times, +with a new vessel being added to the navy every +day, one can hardly be expected to tell every ship +by the cut of her jib."</p> +<p class="pnext">"She might be a Hun," said the <em class="italics">Warrior's</em> sub. +"One that has got out of her bearings and is just +sniffing round to see what damage she can do. +Hallo! There's 'Action Stations'."</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Warrior</em> was taking no unnecessary risks. +She was still in a position to bite, although at a +terrible disadvantage if opposed to an active and +mobile foe. Gamely her war-worn men doubled +off to the light quick-firers, three rousing cheers +announcing the fact that, although badly battered, +the gallant British seamen knew not the meaning +of the word surrender.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nearer and nearer came the mysterious vessel. +She was by no means moving at the rate of a +light-cruiser, her speed being about 15 knots. She flew +three ensigns on various parts of her rigging, +but, being end on and against the wind, the colours +could not be distinguished.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently she ported helm slightly. Another +roar of cheering burst from the throats of the +<em class="italics">Warrior's</em> men, for now the colours were +discernible. They were not the Black Cross of +Germany--a counterfeit presentment of the White Ensign--but +the genuine article--the British naval ensign.</p> +<p class="pnext">Simultaneously a hoist of bunting ascended to +the signal yard-arm. A hundred men could read +the letters, but the jumble conveyed nothing to +them. Not until the code-book was consulted could +the vessel's identity be made known.</p> +<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Engadine</em>, sir," replied the chief yeoman of +signals. "Sea-plane carrier, that's what she is," +he confided in an undertone to another petty officer +standing by his side.</p> +<p class="pnext">A lengthy exchange of semaphore by means of +hand-flags ensued, for other methods of communication +on the part of the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> were impossible, +owing to the clean sweep of everything on deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">And now, in the rapidly rising sea, preparations +were made for taking the crippled <em class="italics">Warrior</em> in tow. +Already the cruiser's stern was well down, and, +badly waterlogged, she would prove a handful for +a powerfully-engined craft to tow, let alone the +lightly-built <em class="italics">Engadine</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Lieutenant-Commander C. A. Robinson of +the sea-plane ship <em class="italics">Engadine</em> knew his business, and +handled his vessel with superb skill. Thrice he +manoeuvred sufficiently close to establish +communication between his ship and the drifting <em class="italics">Warrior</em>, +Twice the flexible wire hawser parted like pack-thread. +At the third attempt the hawsers held, and +the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> slowly gathered way, wallowing astern +of the <em class="italics">Engadine</em> at a rate of 4 knots--but every +minute was taking the unvanquished cruiser nearer +Britain's shores.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time all on board knew that their sacrifice +had not been in vain. Jellicoe was known to have +effected a junction with Beatty's hard-pressed +squadrons, the German High Seas Fleet was in +flight, and betwixt them and their North Sea bases +was the invincible Grand Fleet. "The Day" had +proved to be a day of reckoning for the boastful +Huns in their efforts to wrest the trident from +Britannia's grasp.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xi-the-wrecked-sea-plane"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id12">CHAPTER XI--The Wrecked Sea-plane</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">With her stock of torpedoes replenished and certain +defects made good, H.M.T.B.D. <em class="italics">Calder</em> sheered off +from her parent ship, and, increasing speed to 21 +knots, shaped a course to rejoin the rest of the +flotilla.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lieutenant-Commander Richard Crosthwaite was +in high spirits. He thought that he had succeeded +in bluffing the commodore to give his permission +to rejoin the rest of the fleet instead of being ordered +back to the Firth of Forth. As a matter of fact, his +senior officer, realizing that a "stout heart goes a +long way", had purposely refrained from asking +a lot of awkward questions concerning the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> +injuries. In the forthcoming and projected night +attack every destroyer available would be needed to +put the fear of the British navy into the minds of +the Huns and 21-inch torpedoes into the vitals of +their battleships.</p> +<p class="pnext">The spirit of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> skipper was shared by +every member of the crew. Even the wounded +showed reluctance to be transferred to the parent +ship; those whose injuries did not prevent them +from getting about sturdily asserting that they +might be of use. Those obliged to take to their +hammocks were emphatic in impressing upon their +more fortunate comrades the request "to get their +own back".</p> +<p class="pnext">The sun was low in the north-western sky when +the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> look-out men sighted two vessels +slowly making their way in the direction of home. +One, evidently badly damaged, was in tow of the other.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was part of the destroyer's duty to investigate, +since it might be possible that the vessels were +hostile craft endeavouring by making a wide detour +to reach their base.</p> +<p class="pnext">A wireless message, in code, was sent from the +<em class="italics">Calder</em>, requesting the two vessels to disclose their +identity. The reply left Crosthwaite no longer in +doubt. The towing ship was the <em class="italics">Engadine</em>, while +the crippled craft wallowing in her wake was the +heroic <em class="italics">Warrior</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was Crosthwaite's opportunity to regain the +services of his sub-lieutenant if the latter had been +lucky enough to escape from the terrible gruelling +to which the British cruiser had been subjected.</p> +<p class="pnext">Closing to within a cable's length of the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> +he signalled:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Request permission to take off my sub-lieutenant."</p> +<p class="pnext">To which the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> replied:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Permission granted, provided no needless risk +to His Majesty's ships."</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite smiled grimly. The idea of further +damage being done to the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> seemed out of +the question, while he considered he was quite +capable of bringing the <em class="italics">Calder</em> alongside without +denting a single plate.</p> +<p class="pnext">Ordering "easy ahead", Crosthwaite brought +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> close alongside the <em class="italics">Warrior's</em> port +quarter. Although the sea was now running high, +and the waves were breaking over the latter's almost +submerged quarter-deck, it was comparatively +calm under her lee.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's your glorified Thames penny steamer +alongside, old man," remarked Sefton's chum as +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was made fast fore and aft, her deck +being little more than a couple of feet below that of +the cruiser--so low had the latter settled aft. "No, +don't trouble to return my coat. It's positively not +respectable for the quarter-deck. Well, so long! +I'll run across you again before this business is +over, I guess."</p> +<p class="pnext">Scrambling over the debris, from which smoke +was still issuing in faint bluish wisps, Sefton gained +the armoured cruiser's side. Poising himself for +an instant he leapt on the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> deck, followed +by Able Seaman Brown.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-40"> +<span id="poising-himself-for-an-instant-sefton-leapt-on-the-calder-s-deck"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-128.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"POISING HIMSELF FOR AN INSTANT, SEFTON LEAPT ON THE 'CALDER'S' DECK"</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">"Can I be of any assistance, sir?" enquired +Crosthwaite from the bridge of the destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">The commanding officer of the <em class="italics">Warrior</em> returned +the salute and shook his head. He was loath to +detain even one destroyer from the fighting that +yet remained to be done.</p> +<p class="pnext">Amid the cheers of both crews the <em class="italics">Calder</em> sheered +off, and, porting helm, resumed her course, while +the <em class="italics">Warrior</em>, in tow of the <em class="italics">Engadine</em>, was confronted +with the approach of night and a steadily-increasing +rough sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">The badly-damaged <em class="italics">Warrior</em> never reached port. +After being towed for twelve hours, her position +became so serious that the sea-plane carrier hove +alongside and removed her crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">Giving three cheers for the old ship, as the +<em class="italics">Engadine</em>, abandoning her tow, increased the +distance between her and the <em class="italics">Warrior</em>, the gallant +crew watched the battered hulk rolling sullenly in +the angry sea until she was lost sight of in the +distance.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having formally reported himself, Sefton went +below to make up arrears of sleep. Boxspanner +and the doctor were in the ward-room, both engaged +in animated conversation, not upon the subject of +the action, but on the merits and demerits of +paraffin as a substitute for petrol for a motor-bicycle.</p> +<p class="pnext">With disjointed fragments of conversation ringing +in his ears, and "carburation", "sooty deposit +in the sparking plug", and "engine-knock" figuring +largely, Sefton fell into a fitful slumber, dreaming +vividly of the stirring incidents of the past few +hours, until he was aroused by the reversal of the +destroyer's engines, the lightly-built hull quivering +under the strain.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instinctively he glanced at the clock. He had +been asleep only ten minutes--it seemed more like +ten hours by the length of his excited mental visions.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leaping from his bunk, Sefton scrambled into +his clothes and hurried on deck. It was still +twilight. The wind was moaning through the aerials; +splashes of spray slapped the destroyer's black +sides as she lost way and fell off broadside on to +the waves.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fifty yards to leeward was a large British +sea-plane. She was listing at a dangerous angle, her +starboard-float being waterlogged, and showing +only above the surface as the fabric heeled in the +trough of the sea. Her planes were ripped in +twenty places, while the fuselage showed signs of +having been hit several times. The tip of one +blade of the propeller had been cut off as cleanly +as if by a knife. All around her the water was +iridescent with oil that had leaked from her +lubricating-tanks. Waist-deep in water, and sitting +athwart the undamaged float, was the pilot--a +young sub-lieutenant, whose face was blanched +with the cold. He had voluntarily adopted his +position in order to impart increased stability to +the damaged sea-plane.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lying on the floor of the fuselage, with his head +just visible above the coamings, was the observer. +He had discarded his flying-helmet, while round his +head was bound a blood-stained scarf. Evidently +his wound was of a serious nature, for he evinced +no interest in the approach of the <em class="italics">Calder</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the destroyer drifted down upon the crippled +sea-plane a dozen ready hands gripped the top of +one of the wings, and a couple of seamen swarmed +along the frail fabric to the chassis.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rescue of the pilot was a comparatively easy +matter, but it took all the skill of the bluejackets to +extricate the wounded observer. It was not until +others of the crew came to the aid of their comrades, +the men in their zeal almost completing the +submergence of the still floating wreckage, that the +unconscious officer was brought on board.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no time to waste in salvage operations. +At an order from the lieutenant-commander a +seaman, armed with an axe, made his way to the +undamaged float. A few vigorous blows completed +the work of destruction. Held by the tip of one of +the wings until the man regained the destroyer, the +sea-plane was allowed to sink.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rough luck to chuck away an engine like that," +remarked a voice regretfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton turned his head and saw that the speaker +was Engineer-Lieutenant Boxspanner, and for once +at least Dr. Stirling agreed with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rescue of the sea-plane's crew threw +additional work upon the already harassed surgeon, +for the observer was showing signs of collapse, +while upon examination it was found that the +pilot had been hit in the forehead by a shrapnel bullet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pulling himself together, the observer managed +to impart important information before he fainted +through sheer exhaustion. The sea-plane had +sighted the main German fleet fifty miles to the +nor'-nor'-east.</p> +<p class="pnext">The intelligence was highly desirable. It settled +without doubt the all-important question as to the +enemy's whereabouts, and definitely proved that +Jellicoe's ships were between the Huns and their +North Sea bases. If steps could be taken to +intercept the German vessels' retreat through the +Cattegat, it seemed as if they were doomed to annihilation +at the hands of the British.</p> +<p class="pnext">Quickly the news was wirelessed from the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +to the <em class="italics">Iron Duke</em>. Unless anything unforeseen +occurred, it seemed pretty certain that Admiral +Jellicoe would be able to turn the initial advantage +into an overwhelming defeat for the enemy.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two airmen had rendered good service +against considerable odds. They had ascended +three hours previously, and, flying low in order to +be able to see through the haze, had eventually +sighted the badly-damaged German squadron +under Rear-Admiral von Scheer, which had +contrived to slip away while Admiral Hipper was +endeavouring to delay the advance of Jellicoe's +main fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Owing to the low degree of visibility, the +seaplane came within range of the hostile quick-firers +almost before her pilot was aware of the unpleasant +fact. Greeted by a hot fire, almost the first shell +of which carried away the wireless, the sea-plane +ascended, trusting to be hidden in the clouds until +she could volplane from another direction and +renew her reconnaissance of the hostile fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unfortunately, it was a case of "out of the +saucepan into the fire", for on emerging above the +low-lying bank of clouds the sea-plane found herself +almost underneath a Zeppelin, several of which +accompanied the German fleet, although their +sphere of usefulness was considerably curtailed by +reason of the climatic conditions. Although the +haze prevented the British from inflicting greater +damage upon their opponents, it is fairly safe to +assert that had the sky been clear the Zeppelins +would have given the German fleet timely +warning, and an action would never have ensued.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nothing daunted, the British sea-plane opened +fire upon her gigantic antagonist; but the odds +were against her. The Zeppelins, floating +motionless in the air and in perfect silence, had long +before heard the noisy approach of the mechanical +hornet, and her appearance was greeted with a +concentrated fire of half a dozen machine guns, +accompanied by a few choice titbits in the shape +of bombs.</p> +<p class="pnext">The latter, without exception, missed their +objective, but the hail of bullets ripped the sea-plane +through and through and dangerously wounded +her observer. In spite of the riddled state of the +planes the pilot kept his craft well under control, +but was forced to descend, not before the Zeppelin +was showing signs of having been much damaged +by the sea-plane's automatic gun. The last the +airmen saw of her was that she was making off at +full speed in an easterly direction, her stern portion +dipping ominously in spite of the quantity of +ballast hurled overboard by her crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">The British air-craft's long volplane terminated +on the surface of the sea miles from the place where +she had "spotted" the hostile ships. Before long +the pilot made the disconcerting discovery that one +of the floats was leaking. Having bandaged his +unfortunate comrade's wound, he slipped over the +side of the fuselage on to the damaged float. +Failing to locate and stop the leak, he took up his +position on the sound float, in the hope that his +weight would preserve the sea-plane's stability. In +this position he remained for two hours, until, +numbed by the cold, he was on the point of +abandoning hope when the <em class="italics">Calder</em> hove in sight.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sun had set when the <em class="italics">Calder</em> rejoined the +flotilla. The enemy was entirely out of sight, but +there was every possibility of the German torpedo-boats +making a night attack upon the long line of +battleships.</p> +<p class="pnext">Every precaution was taken against such a step. +The battleships and battle-cruisers were encircled +by a line of light cruisers, while beyond them, and +mostly between the British fleet and the reported +position of the German ships, was a numerous +gathering of destroyers for the dual part of +protecting the larger ships and also, when opportunity +occurred, of making a dash against the Huns.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mark my words, Sefton," said Lieutenant-Commander +Crosthwaite when the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, having +transferred the two airmen, had taken up her +allotted station, "to-night's the night. We'll have +the time of our lives."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xii-the-night-attack"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id13">CHAPTER XII--The Night Attack</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Just before midnight two columns of destroyers +in line ahead slipped away in the darkness, the +course being N. 42° E. Without showing so much +as a glimmer of light, with their funnels screened +with "spark arresters" to prevent the exit of +glowing embers from the furnaces, the long, lean craft +headed in the supposed direction of the enemy fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the elevated fore-bridge Sefton could scarce +distinguish betwixt the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> bows and the dark, +heavy waves. The only guide to enable the +destroyer to keep station was the phosphorescent +swirl at the stern of the vessel next ahead, as her +triple propellers churned the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">On deck the men were at the battle-stations, +standing motionless and silent. Their faces had +been blackened with burnt cork to render them +as inconspicuous as possible should the beam of +a hostile search-light swing itself athwart their vessel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although the high-raised fo'c'sle of the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +was comparatively dry, showers of spray cast aside +by the flaring bows were caught by the strong +wind and dashed over the bridge until it was +impossible to make use of night-glasses owing to the +beads of moisture on the lenses.</p> +<p class="pnext">Beyond a curt, clearly-enunciated order to the +quartermaster, neither of the two officers spoke a +word, Crosthwaite gripping the guard-rail and +peering ahead, while Sefton kept his attention upon +the tell-tale greyish smudge that marked the +position of the destroyer ahead.</p> +<p class="pnext">The result of years of training at night manoeuvres +was bearing fruit. Iron-nerved men were at +the helm of each boat--men who had long since +got beyond the "jumpy" stage, when strange +freaks of imagination conjure up visions of objects +that do not exist. A false alarm and a rapid fire +from the 4-inch guns would be fatal to the +enterprise, the success of which depended entirely upon +getting well within torpedo-range without being +spotted by the alert foe.</p> +<p class="pnext">A feeble light, screened in all directions save +that towards the vessels astern, blinked rapidly +from the leading destroyer. It was the signal for +the flotilla to form in line abeam.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Starboard ten!" ordered Crosthwaite.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Starboard ten, sir!" was the helmsman's reply, +while the lieutenant-commander telegraphed for +speed to be increased to 22 knots in order to bring +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> even with the leader.</p> +<p class="pnext">Had it been daylight the manoeuvre would have +been executed with the precision of a machine; +being night it was impossible to follow the +movements of the whole flotilla, but carried out the +orders were, each destroyer keeping station with +the one nearest on her starboard beam.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly the darkness was penetrated by the +dazzling beam of a search-light from a ship at a +distance of two miles on the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> port bow. +For a moment it hung irresolute, and then +swung round in the direction of the on-coming destroyers.</p> +<p class="pnext">A huge black mass intercepted the rays, its +outlines silhouetted against the silvery glare. The +mass was a German light cruiser, evidently +detached for scouting purposes and returning with +screened lights towards the main fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instantly a furious cannonade was opened upon +the luckless light cruiser from half a dozen of her +consorts. For a couple of minutes the firing +continued, until, with a tremendous flash and a +deafening roar, her magazine exploded.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The Huns will never admit their mistake," +thought Sefton. "They'll claim to have destroyed +another of our ships."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the sub's whole attention was chained to +the work now on hand. Barely had the last of the +flying debris from the German light cruiser struck +the water when at full speed the British destroyer +flotilla hurled itself upon the foe.</p> +<p class="pnext">Played upon by fifty search-lights, the target for +a hundred guns, large and small, the destroyers +held on with one set purpose, their torpedo-men +discharging the 21-inch missiles with rapidity and +cool determination.</p> +<p class="pnext">Above the crash of the ordnance could be heard +the deeper boom of the torpedoes as they exploded +against the ships' bottoms at a depth of fifteen or +twenty feet below the surface.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slick in between two large battleships the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> rushed, letting loose a pair of torpedoes +at each of the hostile ships. One torpedo was +observed to explode close to the stern of the +battleship to starboard, the stricken vessel leaving +the line with a decided list and enveloped in smoke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Light cruisers, by Jove!" muttered Sefton, as +the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, on nearing the end of the enemy line, +was confronted by three vessels of the "Wiesbaden" class.</p> +<p class="pnext">A heavy fire greeted the approaching destroyer, +but almost without exception the shells went wide +of their mark. Then, gathering speed, one of the +German light cruisers ported helm and attempted +to ram her lightly-built opponent.</p> +<p class="pnext">Making no effort to avoid the danger, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +held on, until Sefton, turning to see what his +commanding officer was doing, found Crosthwaite +sitting on the bridge with his back against the pedestal +of the semaphore, and his hands clasping his right +leg just above the knee, and blood oozing from a +gash in his forehead.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub was the only officer on the bridge capable +of taking command.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hard-a-starboard!" he shouted, in order to +make himself heard above the din.</p> +<p class="pnext">Ever quick on her helm, the destroyer spun +round almost on her heel. The German's stem +missed her by a couple of feet, while, hurled bodily +sideways by the mass of water from the former's +bow wave, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> slid past with her side-plating +almost touching that of her enemy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Simultaneously the Hun let fly a broadside. The +destroyer reeled under the shock, but once again +she was in luck, for none of the hostile guns could +be sufficiently depressed to score a vital hit. The +next instant the cruiser was lost to sight in the +darkness, saluted by a number of rounds from the +destroyer's after 4-inch gun.</p> +<p class="pnext">Temporarily stunned by the detonations of the +German cruiser's guns--for he was within twenty +feet of the muzzles of several of the weapons--Sefton +leaned against the conning-tower. The +metal was unpleasantly hot, for a light shell had +burst against it hardly a minute before. Beyond +denting the steel armour and blowing the +signal-locker over the side, the missile had done no +further damage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Coughing the acrid fumes from his lungs and +clearing his eyes of involuntary tears, for the air +was thick with irritating dust, Sefton began to take +a renewed interest in his surroundings.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Calder</em> had penetrated the hostile line without +sustaining serious damage. She had now to return.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub grasped one of the voice-tubes. The +flexible pipe came away in his hand, the whole +system having been cut through with a fragment of shell.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We've had it pretty hot!" he soliloquized. +"Wonder we're still afloat. Well, now for it once more."</p> +<p class="pnext">He leant over the after side of the bridge. A dark +figure was moving for'ard ten feet beneath him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pass the word to the L.T.O.," ordered the sub, +"to report the number of torpedoes remaining."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Aye, aye, sir," replied the man, and, retracing +his steps, he hurried aft to where the leading +torpedo-man was standing at the tubes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Back came the messenger, lurching as he loomed +through the darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The man hasn't found his sea-legs yet," +thought Sefton; then aloud he asked: "Well?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"None left, sir," replied the seaman, and, having +delivered his message, he pitched upon his face.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton had to let him lie there. The sub could +not leave the bridge. Even Crosthwaite had to be +left alone until the destroyer was out of action.</p> +<p class="pnext">It would have been a futile task to attempt to +take the <em class="italics">Calder</em> back between the enemy lines. +With no other offensive weapons than her +comparatively light 4-inch quick-firers, she would be +unable to do any serious damage to the huge +armoured ships, while at the same time she +would be exposed to an overwhelming fire as she +passed abeam of the German battleships and light +cruisers.</p> +<p class="pnext">So into the darkness, beyond the glare of the +search-lights, Sefton took the destroyer, with the +intention of making a wide sweep and rejoining +the British fleet. Of how the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> consorts +were faring he knew nothing, except that the action +was being briskly maintained. Occasionally the +foggy night would be rent by a vivid red glare +that outclassed the almost continuous flashes of the +guns, which illuminated the low-lying clouds like +incessant summer lightning. The roar of the +ordnance was simply indescribable. It seemed +impossible that a man could go through it without +having his ear-drums burst by the terrific air-beats +of the appalling detonations.</p> +<p class="pnext">A dark shape loomed through the darkness almost +athwart the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> track. Only a quick +movement of the helm avoided collision with the floating +object, which, as the <em class="italics">Calder</em> swept by, revealed +itself as a large destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">On deck she was little better than a wreck. +Bridge, conning-tower, funnels, masts, and boats +had vanished utterly. Her guns, wrenched from +their mountings, pointed upwards at grotesque +angles through their shattered shields. Where +the torpedo-tubes had been was a jagged hole still +spanned by one arc of the gun-metal racer. This +much was visible in the reflected glare of the +distant search-lights as the <em class="italics">Calder</em> swept by with +her guns trained abeam should the vessel still be +capable of offence.</p> +<p class="pnext">A score of men, mostly engine-room ratings, were +gathered amidships on the shattered deck of the +crippled vessel. They had desisted from the work +on which they were engaged, and were gazing +mutely at the destroyer that might be instrumental +in giving them the <em class="italics">coup de grâce</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What ship is that?" roared Sefton through a +megaphone, the intervening distance being less +than twenty yards.</p> +<p class="pnext">"His Majesty's destroyer <em class="italics">Yealm</em>," was the reply, +flung proudly through the darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thrusting both levers of the engine-room +telegraph to "Full Speed Astern" and afterwards to +"Stop", the sub brought the <em class="italics">Calder</em> to a standstill +within easy hailing distance of her disabled consort. +Here was a case in which assistance could be +rendered without detriment to the interests of the +Service. The <em class="italics">Calder</em>, until she could replenish her +store of torpedoes, was practically useless as a +fighting unit. With her engines undamaged she +could tow the <em class="italics">Yealm</em> into comparative safety, provided +she was not intercepted by a straggling hostile ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand by to receive a hawser!" continued +Sefton. "We'll give you a pluck out of this."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; thanks all the same, sir," shouted a deep +voice. "We're sound below the water-line, and we +can get under way again in a few minutes. We'll +take our chances of getting out of it. We gave the +swine an almighty punching before they swept our +decks. Carry on, sir, and give them another half +a dozen for us."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the <em class="italics">Yealm's</em> torpedo gunner who spoke, +the only surviving executive officer of the gallant +destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can you spare us any torpedoes?" shouted +Sefton, an inspiration flashing across his mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Aye, aye, sir," was the reply. "Four."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very good; we'll come alongside," rejoined the +sub, who thereupon ordered two wire "springs" to +be made ready, so as to establish communication +between the two destroyers.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well done, Sefton!" exclaimed his lieutenant-commander.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub turned and found that Crosthwaite had +regained his feet, and was standing beside him +upon the partly demolished bridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You're----", began Sefton, but the lieutenant-commander +shut him up.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing," he replied laconically. "You might +fix me up. Not a word to Stirling, mind. If I +keep out of his way, he's not to know. But, by +Jove, you've been knocked about a bit."</p> +<p class="pnext">The information, although correct, came as a +surprise to Sefton. For the first time he noticed +that the coat-sleeve of his left arm was cut away, +the remnant hanging by a few threads, while his +left wrist was encumbered by a bandage. He must +have tied the handkerchief himself, but the action +had been purely automatic. Hitherto he had had +no knowledge that he had been hit by a splinter, +and was quite unaware that he had acted as his own +bandager.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Carry on," continued Crosthwaite. "I'll stand +easy for a while. I'll feel all right in a few minutes."</p> +<p class="pnext">He vanished behind the wreckage of the conning +tower, leaving Sefton to survey the scene. It was +now light enough to discern the nature of the +damage caused by the ordeal through which the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> had passed, for the flashes of the distant +guns, added to the reflected rays of the search-lights, +made it possible to see with fair distinctness.</p> +<p class="pnext">Of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> funnels only one remained +standing. The others, either swept clean away or lying +athwart the deck, left jagged cavities, through which +the smoke was pouring from the oil-fed furnaces.</p> +<p class="pnext">The starboard side of the bridge had vanished, +with it the domed top of the conning-tower, while +the armoured sheets upon the latter, ripped like +cardboard, had been torn open, revealing the +interior--a jumble of twisted voice-tubes and +shattered indicators. The same shell that had +wrought havoc with the conning-tower had swept +the for'ard 4-inch completely from its mountings, +taking its crew with it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile a dozen men had boarded the <em class="italics">Yealm</em>. +Her scanty survivors were too done up to tackle +the task of heaving out the torpedoes, for, included +in the work of destruction, her derricks had shared +the fate of the rest of the top-hamper. Others of +the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew were attending to the injuries of +their comrades, for, in addition to eight men killed +outright, six were mortally wounded, and a dozen +more had sustained injuries that would incapacitate +them for further service.</p> +<p class="pnext">The plucky messenger who had brought Sefton's +reply from the L.T.O. had been carried below. In +the heat of the fight he had received a splinter of +shell in his chest, the impact fracturing one of the +breast-bones. Yet, undaunted, he continued to +serve his gun until the destroyer had emerged from +the hostile fire. Even then he refused to present +himself before the doctor, and was making his way +to the fo'c'sle like a wounded animal, when Sefton, +unaware of his injuries, had ordered him to take a +message aft. This he did, in spite of the increasing +pain and faintness, and having delivered the reply +he had been forced to collapse.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length the four gleaming cylinders were transferred +from the <em class="italics">Yealm</em> to the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> decks. Once +more the destroyer, although battered sufficiently +to justify her retiring from the fight, was made +capable of dealing deadly blows at her gigantic +antagonists.</p> +<p class="pnext">The "springs" were cast off, and, with the +engines running at full speed ahead, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> again +hurled herself into the fray.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiii-sefton-in-command"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id14">CHAPTER XIII--Sefton in Command</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">By this time the firing had ceased, while, the +search-lights of the German war-ships having been +screened, intense darkness brooded over the scene. +The sea was rising rapidly, as if Nature was about +to assert her power over the opposing fleets.</p> +<p class="pnext">Exposed to the full force of the wind and waves, +Sefton stood upon the remaining portion of the +bridge, with his lieutenant-commander reclining +within easy distance. Crosthwaite had given his +subordinate strict orders to inform him of the +moment when the Huns were again sighted. His +wounds mattered little. Provided his head were +cool and his brain alert the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> skipper meant +to miss no part of the next phase of the scrap.</p> +<p class="pnext">The destroyer was now steaming in almost the +opposite direction to that by which she had +penetrated the enemy line. She was five or six miles to +leeward of the German ships and possibly three +times that distance from the British main fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Far away to the west'ard came the dull rumble of +a furious cannonade.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Our light cruisers are having a scrap with the +Hun destroyers," muttered Sefton. "By Jove, this +is a night!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub was correct in his surmise. Although +the British heavy ships were not attacked during +the night, thanks to the screen provided by the +Second Light-cruiser Squadron and several of the +destroyer flotillas, the enemy torpedo-craft were +several times in touch with the "fringes of the fleet".</p> +<p class="pnext">Darkness played many strange pranks with the +combatants, mistakes that more than once told +against the Huns occurring with remarkable persistency.</p> +<p class="pnext">On one occasion a battleship of the "Kaiser" +class was observed by the <em class="italics">Fearless</em>. The Hun was +entirely isolated, and was steaming at full speed. +The British destroyer was unable to engage her +gigantic antagonist--the two vessels passing in +opposite directions at an aggregate rate of 50 +miles an hour. To launch a torpedo would almost +certainly result in a miss, while it was extremely +hazardous for the <em class="italics">Fearless</em> to turn and follow, +without colliding with other British destroyers following +much farther astern. Nor did the German battleship +make any attempt to engage; possibly the +<em class="italics">Fearless</em> was not visible from the war-ship's deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">Holding on her course, the <em class="italics">Fearless</em> warned her +consorts by wireless, and a heavy explosion long +after told its own tale.</p> +<p class="pnext">An even more remarkable incident occurred +during the night. Several British light cruisers were +steaming in line ahead when a severely mauled +German ocean-going torpedo-boat was observed +approaching. Mistaken for one of our destroyers, +the two leading cruisers let her slip past within the +distance of a cable's length. The third, taking no +risks, suddenly unmasked her search-lights and +played them full upon the stranger. Caught in the +blinding glare, her crew could be seen hard at +work endeavouring to turn a pair of torpedo-tubes +abeam--a task of considerable difficulty owing to +the "racer" being damaged.</p> +<p class="pnext">The British light cruiser saved them the job in +a most effectual manner. Depressing her for'ard +9.2-inch gun, she sent a huge shell at point-blank +range crashing into the light-built hull.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-41"> +<span id="she-sent-a-huge-shell-at-point-blank-range-crashing-into-the-light-built-hull"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-151.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"SHE SENT A HUGE SHELL AT POINT-BLANK RANGE CRASHING INTO THE LIGHT-BUILT HULL"</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">A blinding flash, a huge puff of smoke, and all +was over. The search-light played upon an +expanse of agitated water where, five seconds before, +a German torpedo-craft had been churning on her way.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the <em class="italics">Calder</em> held resolutely on her +course, ignorant of her position relative to the +enemy fleet, and liable at any moment to "knock +up against" one of the German light cruisers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite had now resumed command. His +unconquerable determination had soared above +physical injuries. He was not out for personal +kudos. Actuated solely by a desire to uphold the +prestige of the Grand Fleet, and his own flotilla in +particular, he was determined to hurl the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +between the hostile lines. It mattered little that +the destroyer was unsupported--for long since +she had lost touch with her consorts. Even if +none of her officers and crew returned to tell the +tale, he was confident that the craft under his +command would play her part in a manner worthy +of the time-honoured traditions of the British navy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently a high dark mass was observed almost +ahead and slightly on the destroyer's port bow. It +was a hostile battleship. She was lying athwart the +<em class="italics">Calder's</em> course, with a considerable list to +starboard, and proceeding at a rate of about four knots. +Her foremast had been shot away, and with it the +for'ard funnel, which in ships of this class is close +to the mast. One of her two steel derricks had +collapsed, the curved end trailing over the side. +Long gashes in her armoured plates testified to the +accuracy and power of the British gunnery.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already the torpedoes had been "launched home" +into the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> twin tubes. In any case the +battleship must not be allowed to crawl into port, +even if she should be incapable of repairs for months.</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite was about to con the destroyer in +order to bring the torpedo-tubes to bear, when the +already stricken battleship gave a violent lurch, +from which she made no attempt at recovery.</p> +<p class="pnext">Farther and farther she heeled, the rush of water +into her hull and the hiss of escaping air being +distinctly audible above the howling of the wind. +Her crew--or, rather, the survivors--could be +heard as they leapt from the steeply inclined decks. +There was no need for a torpedo to administer the +<em class="italics">coup de grâce</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Five minutes later only the battleship's keel-plates +and the tips of the four propellers remained +above the surface, by which time the <em class="italics">Calder</em> had +left her well astern and was approaching the double +lines of hostile light cruisers, whose indistinct +shapes were just beginning to be visible against +the patch of starlight that penetrated a gap in +the inky mist.</p> +<p class="pnext">A sudden blinding glare enveloped the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, +causing her lieutenant-commander, quartermaster, +and helmsman to blink helplessly. Fairly caught +by the rays of half a dozen search-lights, they were +temporarily blinded as effectually as if their eyes +had been bandaged with opaque scarves.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fortunately Sefton's back was turned from the +direction in which the destroyer was proceeding. +The unmasking of the concentrated rays warned +him. Shielding his eyes, he turned and made a +dash for the steam steering-gear, the wheel of which +the helmsman was still grasping automatically.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hard-a-port!" shouted the sub.</p> +<p class="pnext">The man made no attempt to carry out the order, +but, slowly bending forward, collapsed upon the +bridge. A fragment of shell had pierced his brain.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pushing the body aside, Sefton put the helm hard +over, and the destroyer, screened by an intervening +vessel that fortunately did not make use of her +search-lights, entered a darkened patch between the +brilliantly lighted areas on either side.</p> +<p class="pnext">With her remaining guns spitting defiance at the +hostile light cruisers, and launching her torpedoes +immediately a target presented itself, the destroyer +continued her devoted dash. Projectiles, large and +small, hurtled overhead, while, rapidly hit again +and again, she was soon reduced to a mere wreck.</p> +<p class="pnext">The German cruisers had a fair and easy mark. +Had their gun-layers been equal to the British, the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> would have been blown clean out of the +water; but the terrible night had told upon their +nerves. A wholesome dread of the British +destroyers with their deadly torpedoes was present in +their minds. Not knowing whether the solitary +destroyer was supported by others of the flotilla, +they were under the impression that the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +was leading a line of swift vessels, and the surmise +was not comforting to the Huns.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the midst of the tornado of shell one of the +<em class="italics">Calder's</em> torpedoes "got home", ripping open the +bottom of a light cruiser and causing an internal +explosion that tore her to pieces. So close was +the destroyer that the terrific rush of displaced air +was distinctly felt, while a dense cloud of smoke +from the sinking cruiser, driving to leeward across +the foam-flecked and shell-sprayed waves, +completely enveloped the little craft that had dealt the +successful blow.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take her out of action if you can," exclaimed +a voice which Sefton recognized as that of his +commanding officer. "I'm done in, I'm afraid."</p> +<p class="pnext">The cloud of smoke saved the <em class="italics">Calder</em> from +destruction, for, turning while still in the midst of +the impenetrable pall of vapour, the destroyer +slipped away from the rays of search-lights, and, +doubling, literally staggered in an opposite +direction to the one she had been keeping a minute before.</p> +<p class="pnext">In vain the German search-lights swept the sea +in the supposed position of the daring destroyer, +until, convinced that she had shared the fate of their +lost light cruiser, they screened lights and re-formed line.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once more, in the pitch-black darkness of the +night, Sefton began to realize the responsibility of +his position. Crosthwaite was now lying +motionless--either he had fainted from loss of blood or +else he was already dead. In spite of his anxiety +on his skipper's behalf, Sefton was unable to lift +a finger to help him. The sub was the only one +left standing on the bridge, and whether the bridge +was part of a sinking vessel he knew not. A +strange silence brooded over the <em class="italics">Calder</em>, broken +occasionally by the moans and groans of wounded +men who littered her deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yet Sefton's instructions were clear up to a +certain point. He had to take the destroyer out of +action. To all intents this part of his duty had +been carried out. The <em class="italics">Calder</em>, in a damaged, +perhaps foundering, condition, was alone on the wild +North Sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">The dark form of a bluejacket clambered up the +twisted bridge-ladder, and, crossing to where Sefton +stood, touched his shoulder.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's the sub-lootenant, mate?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm here, Brown," replied the young officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Beg pardon, sir," replied the A.B. "Couldn't +recognize you in the darkness. Thought I'd see if +you was all right."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks," replied Sefton, touched by the man's +devotion. "How goes it on deck?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A clean sweep, sir," replied Brown. "A regular +wipe-out. Copped us proper, the swine. Both +tubes knocked out, after 4-inch blown clean over +the side."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you know if we're making much water?" +asked the sub anxiously, for the sluggish way in +which the destroyer laboured through the water +gave rise to considerable apprehension in that respect.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't say, sir."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then pass the word for the senior petty officer +to report to me."</p> +<p class="pnext">The A.B. hurried off, muttering curiously +expressed words of thanksgiving at his young officer's +escape. Gratitude had been a hitherto undeveloped +trait in Brown's nature, until that memorable +occasion when Sefton risked his life, if not exactly to +save, to be with him when he found himself in the "ditch".</p> +<p class="pnext">Groping for the voice-tube from the bridge to +the engine-room, for the telegraph had disappeared, +Sefton attempted to call up the engineer-lieutenant, +but in vain. This means of communication with +the engine-room was completely interrupted.</p> +<p class="pnext">It seemed an interminable time before the desired +petty officer reported himself to the bridge. He +was a short, lightly-built man, holding the rank +of gunner's mate, and was a capable and fairly +well-educated specimen of the lower deck. Yet, +had it been daylight, and he had been dumped +down just as he was in the streets of a naval town, +he would have been promptly run in by the police +as a vagrant. His features were literally hidden in +soot mingled with blood, for a shell had hurled him +face downwards upon a jagged steel grating, which +had harrowed his face in a disfiguring though not +dangerous fashion. His scanty uniform was in +ribbons, and smelt strongly of smouldering embers, +while a black scarf tied tightly round his left leg +below the knee failed to stop a steady trickle from +a shrapnel wound.</p> +<p class="pnext">Briefly and to the point the petty officer made his +report. The <em class="italics">Calder</em> had been hulled in more than +twenty places, but only three holes were betwixt +wind and water. These had already admitted a +considerable quantity of water, but temporary +repairs were already in hand. The steam-pumps +had been damaged, but were capable of being set +right, while the use of the hand-pumps enabled the +sorry remnant of the destroyer's crew to keep the +leaks well under control.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless the <em class="italics">Calder</em> no longer rose buoyantly +to the waves. A sullen, listless movement told its +own tale. Not without a grim, determined struggle +would her crew be able successfully to combat the +joint effects of war and rough weather.</p> +<p class="pnext">On deck most of the fittings had been swept +clear. Of the funnel only seven feet of jagged +stump remained. The rest had vanished. Both +masts had been shot away close to the deck. Of +the conning-tower only the base was left; the rest +had been blown away almost with the last shell +fired at point-blank range. The <em class="italics">Calder's</em> raised +fo'c'sle no longer existed. From two feet close to +the water-line at the stem, and rising obliquely to +the foot of the bridge, there was nothing left but +an inclined plane of bent and perforated steel plates.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Our own mother wouldn't know us, sir," concluded +the petty officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let us hope she'll have the chance," rejoined +Sefton, wondering whether it was humanly +possible once more to bring the crippled vessel +alongside her parent ship, or whether the <em class="italics">Calder</em> would +again berth alongside the jetty at far-off Rosyth.</p> +<p class="pnext">The arrival of half a dozen men enabled Sefton +to have the commanding officer removed below. +Anxiously the sub awaited Stirling's verdict. The +report was long in coming, but the doctor's hands +were full to overflowing. During that terrible +night many a man owed his life, under Providence, +to the administrations of the young medico. +Indifferent to his own peril, although the crippled +destroyer was straining badly in the heavy seas, +Pills toiled like a galley-slave in the semi-darkness, +for the electric light had failed, and the temporary +operating-room, crowded with ghastly cases, was +illuminated only by the glimmer of three oil-lamps.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That you, Pills?" enquired Sefton anxiously, +as an officer, distinguishable only by his uniform +cap stuck at a comical angle on the top of his head, +clambered upon the bridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No--Boxspanner," replied that worthy. "At +least what's left of him. Where's the skipper?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Knocked out."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Done in?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton shook his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't know," he replied. "Pills has him in +hand. In any case he's got it pretty badly. Well, +how goes it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't get more'n five knots out of the engines," +replied the engineer-lieutenant. "Port engine-room +reduced to scrap. There was three feet of +water in the stokeholds, but it's subsiding, thank +goodness! Deuce of a mess when the lights went +out. Stumbled over a man and banged my head. +It feels like a blister on the tyre of a car--liable +to burst at any moment, don't you know. The +fellow strafed me for treading on him. Asked him +what the deuce he was lying there for, since he +had wind enough to kick up a row. What do you +think he was up to?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't say," replied Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Plugging a shot-hole with his bare back. Had +his shoulder wedged against the gash. He'd been +like that for twenty minutes--and he'd lost three +fingers of the right hand."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You'll have to make a special report," remarked +the sub.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A special report of every man of my +department you mean!" exclaimed Boxspanner enthusiastically. +"By Jove! If you could have seen them----"</p> +<p class="pnext">The arrival of the doctor cut short the +engineer-lieutenant's eulogies.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just up for a breather," gasped Stirling. +"Thought I'd let you know how things are going +in my line. A bit stiff our butcher's bill. The +skipper's pretty rough. Took a wicked-looking +chunk of high-explosive shell out of his forehead. +I've had the deuce of a job to stop the flow +of arterial blood from a gash in his leg. He'll pull +through. He's as hard as nails."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's good," said Sefton and Boxspanner in +one breath.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Talking of nails," continued Stirling, "I've +just had a rum case--Thompson, the leading +signalman. Took fifty pieces of metal from his hide. +The poor wretch couldn't sit down, although the +wounds were light. Those strafed Huns had +crammed one of their shrapnel-shells with +gramophone needles. Fact! I'm not joking! I suppose +they haven't the heart for any more music, so they +made us a present of the needles. How much +longer to daybreak?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"About a quarter to three, Greenwich time," +replied Sefton. "I haven't a watch."</p> +<p class="pnext">He did not think it necessary to explain that his +wristlet watch had been ripped from its strap by a +flying fragment of shell. He was becoming painfully +aware of the circumstance, for every movement +of his wrist gave him a sharp pain.</p> +<p class="pnext">Boxspanner crossed over to the temporary +binnacle--one removed from the wreckage of one of +the boats--for the destroyer's standard compass +had gone the way of the majority of the +deck-fittings, while the gyro-compass, placed in the +safest part of the vessel, had been dismounted by +the bursting of a shell.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's only a quarter past eleven," he announced +dolorously, as he consulted his watch by the feeble +light of the binnacle.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rot!" ejaculated the doctor. "It was midnight +when we went into action."</p> +<p class="pnext">The engineer-lieutenant made a second examination. +The glass of the watch had been completely +broken; not even a fragment remained. The hands +had gone, while across the dial were two cracks in +such positions that they had misled Boxspanner +into the belief that they were the hands. Yet, on +holding the timepiece to his ear and listening +intently--for like the rest of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> complement +he was temporarily deafened from the result of the +violent gun-fire--he found that the watch was still going.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's getting light already," observed Stirling, +pointing to a pale-reddish hue in the north-eastern +sky. "Well, I must away. More patching and +mending demand my modest attention."</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly the dawn broke, a crimson glow betwixt +the dark, scudding masses of clouds betokening a +continuance of the hard blow, and plenty of it. +With the rising sea the task of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew +increased tenfold. Anxiously the horizon was +swept in the hope of a friendly vessel being +sighted, but the sky-line was unbroken. The tide +of battle, if the action were still being maintained, +had rolled away beyond sight and hearing of the +little band of heroes who so worthily maintained +the prestige of the White Ensign.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiv-out-of-the-fight"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id15">CHAPTER XIV--Out of the Fight</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">With the pumps ejecting copious streams of water +the damaged <em class="italics">Calder</em> held gamely on her way, +daylight adding to the horrors of the aftermath of +battle. The hull echoed to the clanging of the +artificers' hammers and the dull thud of the caulkers' +mallets as the undaunted and tireless men proceeded +with the work of stopping leaks. On deck steps +were being taken to clear away the debris, and to +set up a pair of temporary funnels of sufficient +height to carry the smoke clear of the side. The +sole remaining gun was overhauled and again made +fit for action in case of necessity. Although not +anxious to fall in with a U boat or a stray Zeppelin, +the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew were determined to take every +precaution to keep the tattered ensign still flying +from the temporary staff set up aft.</p> +<p class="pnext">For another hour the destroyer crawled on her +long journey towards the cliff-bound shores of +Britain. Then Sefton issued an order which was +repeated aft and down below. The engines were +stopped, the remnants of the crew mustered aft, and +the battle-scarred pieces of bunting lowered to half-mast.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew were about to pay their last +homage to those of their comrades who had gallantly +laid down their lives for king and country.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fifteen hammock-enshrouded forms lay motionless +at the after end of the deck. Bare-headed their +messmates stood in silence as Sefton, with a peculiar +catch in his usually firm voice, read the prayer +appointed for the burial of those at sea. Then into +the foam-flecked waves, the bodies of those +conquerors even in death were consigned, to find an +undisturbed resting-place fathoms deep on the bed +of the North Sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was no time for melancholy. At the word +"Dismiss" the men trooped for'ard, for there was +plenty of work to do, and, in the navy especially, +hard but necessary work is rightly considered one +of the best antidotes for grief.</p> +<p class="pnext">Snatching at the opportunity to visit his chief, +Sefton hurried below to the shattered ward-room, +where Crosthwaite lay on a mattress that smelt +abominably of cordite and the lingering odours of +poison-gas. The lieutenant-commander had by this +time recovered consciousness, and greeted Sefton +with a bad attempt at a smile.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We've kept our end up," he said feebly. +"Think you'll get the old ship back to port?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I trust so," said the sub guardedly. "I'll do +my level best."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I know," assented Crosthwaite. "Still, you've +a stiff job. I'll be on the bridge in another half an +hour and give you a spell."</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton said nothing. He realized that many +hours--nay, days--would pass before his chief +would again assume command. Crosthwaite was +quick to notice his subordinate's silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Suppose I've had it pretty badly," he admitted +reluctantly. "It was a rotten business getting +knocked out at the critical time."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing much happened after that," explained +Sefton. "We were out of it within twenty seconds +from the time you were hit."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Man alive!" protested Crosthwaite. "You're +altogether wrong. For nearly ten minutes I was +lying there quite conscious and watching you. +You're a plucky fellow, old man."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Sefton could reply he was called away. +A Zeppelin had been sighted, flying in the direction +of the badly mauled <em class="italics">Calder</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Quickly the remaining gun was manned. Although +not intended for aerial work, modification to +the original mounting permitted it to be trained +within ten degrees of the perpendicular, supplementary +sights having been fitted to enable it to +be laid while at extreme elevation.</p> +<p class="pnext">The air-ship was still four miles off, and flying at +an altitude of about 2000 feet. Apparently +undamaged, it was proceeding at a rapid pace against +the wind.</p> +<p class="pnext">Deprived of the advantage of speed and manoeuvring +powers, the destroyer would fall an easy prey +to the Zeppelin's bombs unless the <em class="italics">Calder</em> could +make good use of her solitary 4-inch quick-firer. +The weapon was loaded and trained abeam, the +gun's crew being ordered to take cover, and thus +give the destroyer the appearance of being +incapable of defence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton made no attempt to alter helm. He had +made up his mind to wait until the huge target +came within easy range. He knew that the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +was under observation, and that the Germans were +trying to ascertain the nature of the destroyer's +injuries. Should they come to the conclusion that +the slowly-moving British craft was powerless of +doing damage they would not be likely to waste +ballast in ascending to a safe altitude and a +corresponding loss of hydrogen in descending after the +attack.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nearer and nearer came the huge air-ship, her +bows steadily pointing in the direction of the +destroyer. Range-finder in hand, Sefton curbed his +impatience. Not until the Zeppelin bore at a +distance of 2500 yards did he order the gun's crew to +their stations.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a vicious spurt of flame and a sharp, +resounding detonation the 4-inch sent a shell hurtling +through the air. Admirably timed, it burst +apparently close to the silvery-grey envelope. Almost +instantly a huge cloud of black and yellow smoke +shot from the Zeppelin.</p> +<p class="pnext">A rousing cheer burst from the throats of the +British seamen. The cheer was taken up by the +wounded heroes down below, who, having heard in +some mysterious manner of the air-ship's approach, +were waiting the issue of events with mingled +confidence and regret that they themselves were unable +to assist in "strafing the sausage".</p> +<p class="pnext">The cheers literally froze on the lips of the men +on deck, for when the smoke cleared away the +Zeppelin was a mere speck, 10,000 feet in the air. +Under cover of a discharge of smoke she had +dropped a large quantity of ballast and had shot +vertically upwards to a safe altitude.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Hun in command had received orders not +to attack unless he could do so without risk, the +Zeppelin being specially detailed for observation +work. With a range of visibility of fifty or sixty +miles she was of far more service to the discomfited +German High Seas Fleet in warning them of the +position of their victors than in strafing a solitary +destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">With solid water sweeping her fore and aft, the +<em class="italics">Calder</em> still struggled on her course, steered by the +hand-operated gear in conjunction with the +inefficient boat's compass. Hitherto the leaks had +been kept under, but now the water was making +its way in through the shattered fore-deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">Reluctantly Sefton came to the conclusion that +he would have to give the order "abandon ship" +before many minutes had passed. Already the +knowledge that the old <em class="italics">Calder</em> was slowly +foundering had become general, yet there was no panic.</p> +<p class="pnext">Calmly some of the men began to collect all the +buoyant materials they could lay their hands upon +for the purpose of constructing rafts, since there +were no boats left. Others stuck gamely to the +task of manning the pumps, while the wounded +were carried on deck in order to give them a chance +of getting clear of the sinking ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">At seven in the morning a vessel was sighted to +the west'ard proceeding in a nor'-easterly direction. +After a few minutes of anxious doubt as to her +nationality, she proved to be a Danish trawler--unless +the national colours painted on her sides +and the distinguishing numbers on her sails were +disguises.</p> +<p class="pnext">Altering her course, the trawler bore down upon +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> and slowed down within hailing +distance to leeward.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come you all aboard," shouted the Danish +skipper, a tall, broad-shouldered descendant of a +Viking forbear. "We save you. Plenty room for all."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We don't want to abandon ship yet," replied +Sefton. "We may weather it yet."</p> +<p class="pnext">"An' I think that you answer so," rejoined the +skipper. "You British seamans brave mans. +Englishmans goot; Danes goot; Germans no goot. +Me stand by an' 'elp."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Seen anything of the battle?" enquired the sub.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Danish skipper nodded his head emphatically.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Germans run for port as if Satan after them," +he declared; then, realizing that he had paid the +Huns a compliment, he hastened to add: "No, no; +Germans too fond of wickedness to run from Satan--it +is from the English that they run. Ships sunk +everywhere, dead men float by thousands: we no +fish for months in these waters."</p> +<p class="pnext">This was the first intimation that the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> +crew received of Jellicoe's failure to combine +annihilation with victory. Victory it undoubtedly was; +but, although the Grand Fleet had succeeded in +getting between the enemy and his North Sea +bases, the Huns, favoured by darkness and fog, +had contrived to elude the toils, and were +skeltering for safety with a haste bordering upon panic. +Jellicoe and Beatty had done everything that +courage and science could devise. They had +inflicted far greater losses on the Huns than the +latter did upon us. And, what is more, the British +fleet "held the lists", while the boastful Germans, +crowding into Wilhelmshaven and other ports, +spent their time in spreading lying reports of their +colossal victory over the hated English.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You no look surprise at the news," continued +the master of the Danish trawler. "Me think you +cheer like mad."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Of course, we're glad," replied Sefton, "but it +is not quite what we expected, you know. We're +sorry that the enemy got away."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me, too," agreed the Dane. "Germany treat +little Denmark badly. She bully; we cannot do +anything. Shall we run alongside an' take you +and your crew off?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton gave a glance to windward. It seemed as +if the seas were moderating. His reluctance to +abandon ship increased. The <em class="italics">Calder</em> had played +her part, and it seemed base ingratitude to leave +her to founder.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-42"> +<span id="the-calder-had-played-her-part-and-it-seemed-base-ingratitude-to-leave-her-to-founder"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-173.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"THE 'CALDER' HAD PLAYED HER PART, AND IT SEEMED BASE INGRATITUDE TO LEAVE HER TO FOUNDER"</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">"I don't think she's settling down any further, +sir," replied one of the carpenter's crew in answer +to the sub's question. "Bulkheads are holding well."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then we'll carry on," declared the sub, and, +warmly thanking the Dane for his humanity, he +courteously declined the offer of assistance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Goot luck, then!" replied the skipper of the +trawler as he thrust the wheel hard over and +ordered easy ahead. Yet not for another hour did +he part company. Keeping at a discreet distance +from the labouring destroyer, he remained until, +the sea having moderated, and the <em class="italics">Calder</em> showing +no further signs of distress, he came to the +conclusion that the battered British craft stood a fair +chance of making port.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the next couple of hours the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was +continually passing wreckage, scorched and shattered +woodwork testifying to the devastating effect of +modern explosives. The destroyer was passing +over the scene of one of the many isolated +engagements that composed the memorable battle +and certain British victory of Jutland.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A boat or a raft of sorts, sir," reported a +seaman, pointing to a floating object a couple of miles +away, and slightly on the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> starboard bow.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton brought his binoculars to bear upon the +objects indicated by the look-out. At regular +intervals, as it rose on the crests of the waves, a large +raft known, after its inventor, as the "Carley" +was visible. An exaggerated lifebuoy, with a +"sparred" platform so arranged that in the event +of the appliance being completely overset the +"deck" would still be available, the "Carley" has +undoubtedly proved its value in the present war. +Practically indestructible, not easily set on fire by +shells, and with an almost inexhaustible reserve of +buoyancy, the raft is capable of supporting twenty +men with ease.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly the <em class="italics">Calder</em> approached the life-buoy. She +was doing a bare 3 knots; while, able to use +only one propeller, she was hard on her helm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wot are they--strafed 'Uns or some of our +blokes?" enquired an ordinary seaman of his +"raggie"; for, although the men on the raft were +now clearly visible, their almost total absence of +clothing made it impossible to determine their +nationality.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dunno, mate," replied his chum. "'Uns, +perhaps; they don't seem in no 'urry to see us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Uns or no 'Uns," rejoined the first speaker, +"skipper's goin' to pull 'em out of the ditch, if it's +only to show 'em that we ain't like them U boat +pirates."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Strikes me they're pretty well done in," chimed +in another. "There's not one of 'em as has the +strength of a steerage rat."</p> +<p class="pnext">Huddled on the raft were fifteen almost naked +human beings. Some were roughly bandaged. +All were blackened by smoke and scorched by +exposure to the sun and salt air. Another half-dozen +were in the water, supporting themselves by +one hand grasping the life-lines of the raft.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time they had observed the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> +approach; but, content that they had been seen, +the exhausted men engaged in no demonstration +of welcome. They sat listlessly, with their +salt-rimmed eyes fixed upon their rescuers.</p> +<p class="pnext">At a great risk of crushing the men in the water, +the destroyer closed. The "Carley" was secured +and brought alongside, and the work of transferring +the survivors commenced. Without assistance +the majority would never have been able to +gain the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> deck, so pitiful was their +condition owing to a night's exposure to the cold.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were British seamen, but Sefton forbore to +question them until they had received attention +from the hard-worked Dr. Stirling, and been +supplied with food and drink from the already +sadly-depleted stores.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the men had recovered sufficiently to +relate their adventures, they told a typical story of +British pluck and heroism. They were part of the +crew of the destroyer <em class="italics">Velocity</em>, and had taken part +in a night attack upon von Hipper's squadron.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the midst of the mêlée a hostile light cruiser, +tearing at 27 knots, rammed the <em class="italics">Velocity</em>, cutting +her completely in twain just abaft the after +engine-room bulkhead. Swallowed up in the darkness, +the stern portion of the destroyer floated for nearly +ten minutes before it foundered. Of what +happened to the remaining and larger part of the +vessel the survivors had no definite knowledge, +although some were under the impression that it +was towed away under fire by another destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Left with sufficient time to cut away a "Carley", +the remnant of the <em class="italics">Velocity's</em> crew found themselves +adrift, with the still engaging vessels steaming +farther and farther away.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without food and almost destitute of clothing, +for in anticipation of a swim the men had taken +off the remainder of their already scanty "fighting-kit", +their position was a precarious one. The +rising seas threatened to sweep them from the +over-crowded raft, while the bitterly cold night air +numbed their limbs. Yet, with the characteristic +light-heartedness of the British tar, the men passed +the time in singing rousing choruses, even the +wounded joining in.</p> +<p class="pnext">At daybreak they were pretty well exhausted. +No vessel was in sight. They were without food +and water, and unable to take any steps to propel +their unwieldy, heavily-laden raft in any direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently a large German battle-cruiser loomed +through the mist. The Huns must have had a bad +attack of nerves, for, contrary to all the dictates of +humanity, they let fly a dozen quick-firers at the +raft. Possibly they mistook the low-lying object +for a submarine. Fortunately the shells flew wide.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, to the surprise of the remnant of the +)Velocity's* crew, the German ship suddenly heaved +her bows clear of the water and disappeared in a +great smother of foam and a cloud of smoke.</p> +<p class="pnext">A rousing cheer--it is wonderful how much sound +men can give vent to even when almost dead through +exhaustion--hailed this unexpected deliverance +from one of many perils, and the seamen settled +themselves to resume their prolonged discomforts, +buoyed up by the unshaken hope that a British +vessel would bear down to their assistance.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was indeed remarkable how quickly most of +the <em class="italics">Velocity's</em> men regained their spirits after being +received on board the <em class="italics">Calder</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">One, in particular, was displaying acute anxiety +as to the condition of a bundle of one-pound notes, +which, sodden with sea-water, he had carefully +removed from the pouch of his solitary garment--a +body-belt. Amidst a fire of good-natured chaff, +the man spread his precious belongings out to dry--an +almost impossible task owing to the showers +of spray--until, taken compassion upon by a +sympathetic stoker, he went below to the stokehold and +successfully completed the delicate operation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Another survivor stuck gamely to a wooden +tobacco-box. His messmates knew the secret, but, +when questioned by the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> men, he cautiously +opened the lid, displaying a couple of white rats. +Before going into action, the man, having doubts +as to the safety of his pets in the fo'c'sle, had +stealthily removed them aft, placing the box in the +officers' pantry. When the <em class="italics">Velocity</em> was rammed +he did not forget his dumb friends. At the risk +of his life, he went below and secured the box. +Throughout the long night he kept the animals +dry, only surrendering them to his chums when his +turn came to leap overboard and lighten the already +overcrowded life-buoy.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rest of the day passed almost without incident. +Food was running short, for, in spite of the +sadly depleted number of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew, there +was barely another day's provisions left on board +that had not been spoiled by fire and water. In +addition, the augmentation of the ship's company +by the rescued crew made the shortage still more acute.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just as night was coming on a petty officer +approached Sefton and saluted.</p> +<p class="pnext">"For'ard bulkhead's giving, sir," he reported, +as coolly as if he were announcing a most trivial +occurrence. "There's four feet of water in the +for'ard stokehold."</p> +<p class="pnext">The safety of the <em class="italics">Calder</em> and her crew depended +upon that transverse wall of steel. Once this +bulkhead yielded to the terrific pressure of water, no +human ingenuity and resource could save the +battered destroyer from plunging to the bed of the +North Sea.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xv-a-day-of-suspense"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id16">CHAPTER XV--A Day of Suspense</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Confound the wretched thing, Sefton!" +exclaimed Major-General Crosthwaite explosively.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hereby confound it!" said his companion with +grim solemnity. "I'll do anything you like, +provided you don't ask me to evacuate this luxurious +cushion and push."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now if I had my chauffeur here----" began +the General, then, realizing that his duty to his +country had necessitated the release of the man for +military service, he held his peace on that point, +only to break out in another direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's that horrible concoction that is sold as +petrol," he remarked with an air of profound +wisdom. "Sixty per cent paraffin and ten per cent +water. Nine o'clock in the evening, miles from +anywhere, and the idiotic car as obstinate as a mule."</p> +<p class="pnext">Dick's father, enjoying a hard-earned fortnight's +leave after a strenuous time at the front, had +performed what he would have considered a desperate +task in pre-war days. He had actually driven his +own motor--a twenty-horse-power touring-car--from +Shropshire to Southampton. Luck, in the +shape of complete immunity from tyre troubles and +the two thousand odd things that might go wrong +with a car, had hitherto favoured him. Whereat +he became conceited with his powers as a motorist; +but it was pride before a fall, and Major-General +Crosthwaite found himself stranded with his three +companions somewhere in the vicinity of the little +Wiltshire town of Malmesbury.</p> +<p class="pnext">The eldest of the three passengers was Admiral +Trefusis Sefton, K.C.B. (retired), whose son Jack +was at that very moment engaged upon his +desperate venture of bringing the crippled <em class="italics">Calder</em> +across the North Sea. Residing near Southampton, +he had accepted Crosthwaite Senior's invitation to +spend a long week-end at the latter's house near +Bridgnorth, and the Major-General thought it was +a good opportunity for having a motor-tour by +fetching his guest from the south of England.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll take young George with me," wrote the +Major-General, "and there will be room in the car +for Leslie. They can't get into worse mischief than +if they were left at home, and one will be company +for the other."</p> +<p class="pnext">So George Crosthwaite accompanied his father +from Bridgnorth to Southampton. Shrewdly the +fifteen-year old lad suspected that the primary +object of his sire was to let his son see what an +expert driver Crosthwaite Senior had become.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leslie Sefton, also aged fifteen, jumped at the +invitation, and, in spite of various and oft-repeated +warnings from his parent not to skylark, his +exuberant spirits formed a sympathetic counterpart to +those of young George Crosthwaite.</p> +<p class="pnext">Declining his son's offer of expert advice and +assistance, the general divested himself of his coat, +rolled up his shirt sleeves, inserted his monocle in +his eye, and spent four precious minutes in deep +contemplation of the stationary car. Then he +applied rudimentary tests to half a dozen different +parts without locating the trouble, while the admiral +placidly smoked a choice cigar and meditated upon +the pleasing fact that he had never succumbed to +the motor craze.</p> +<p class="pnext">George and Leslie, seated on a bank by the +roadside, were discussing the merits and demerits of +various types of aeroplanes when the former's +parent interrupted the pleasant discussion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"George."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I want you to go into Malmesbury and get +them to send a car to tow us in."</p> +<p class="pnext">Young Crosthwaite, unlike either of the two sons +in the parable, prepared to obey. "Obey orders +at the double" had been dinned into his head from +time immemorial. On one occasion when the +colonel--as he was then--was entertaining a high +War Office official, George, in his alacrity to carry +out his parent's behests, collided with the portly +butler bearing a heavily-laden tray. But the +culprit's plea that he was fulfilling the oft-reiterated +order calmed the colonel's inward wrath (he dared +not "let himself go" just then) and earned a +substantial tip from the highly-amused guest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Coming?" asked George laconically, addressing +his chum.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather," was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">George threw his greatcoat into the car. As he +did so, his sharp eyes caught sight of a tap that +was turned off when it should have been turned on.</p> +<p class="pnext">Deftly he depressed the little lever, and, +somewhat to his parent's surprise, "tickled" the +carburetter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's no use doing that," said the discomfited +motorist. "Hurry up and be off. We'll be +stranded here all night if you don't bestir yourself."</p> +<p class="pnext">Crosthwaite Senior's astonishment increased when +the dutiful George climbed into the car and +released the self-starter. The motor fired without +a hitch.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove!" ejaculated George's parent, too +delighted to think of thanking his son. "However +did you manage it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Only turned the petrol on," replied George calmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have you been playing any tricks----?" began +the general, then resolved to repeat the question +at a more favourable private opportunity. "Jump +in, Sefton; we've wasted an hour already. Might +have been in Gloucester by this time. 'Fraid we'd +better put up in Malmesbury to-night."</p> +<p class="pnext">On the lowest gear, the car crawled slowly up +the stiff gradient leading to the little town, and +pulled up outside an ivy-clad inn within a stone's +throw of the imposing ruins of the abbey.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any news to-night, I wonder?" enquired the +general as the four sat down to a substantial supper. +"Suppose there's no chance of a late paper in this +out-of-the-way spot?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Fraid not," replied the admiral. "You see, +it is on a branch line. Decent weather, eh?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not so bad for our men in the North Sea," +remarked Crosthwaite complacently. "They've +had a long, rotten winter, although Dick never +complains on that score. Must be quite yachty +weather, I should imagine," he added, with the +memories of a certain pleasure cruise to the Baltic +in June flashing across his mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">He picked up a morning paper from a settee and +glanced at it. He had read the selfsame news +fourteen hours previously. Yet a paragraph had +hitherto escaped his notice.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove!" he exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's that?" enquired the admiral.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Suppose, after all, it's nothing much," observed +General Crosthwaite. "Masters of neutral steamers +arriving at Danish ports state that they sighted +numerous wrecks and hundreds of floating corpses. +Another Reuter yarn, I take it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"More U-boat frightfulness perhaps," hazarded +Admiral Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">And yet the report was a mild form of paving +the way towards the announcement of the Jutland +battle. This was on Friday. Already Germany +had claimed a glorious and colossal naval victory, +and the tardiness of the British Government in +giving the lie direct to the boastful Hunnish claims +gave, at least temporarily, a severe shock to +neutrals' belief in the invincibility of Britain's sea +power. Already American pro-German papers had +appeared with highly coloured accounts of Great +Britain's crushing naval disaster; cartoons +depicting John Bull's consternation at the return of the +battered British lion with a badly twisted tail spoke +volumes for the incontestable superiority of the +German navy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Happily ignorant of the disquieting rumours, +and, indeed, of any knowledge of the naval action, +the motorists slept soundly until eight on the +following morning.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Another fine day," declared Crosthwaite Senior +at breakfast. "We ought to be home by three in +the afternoon. Any papers yet?" he enquired of +the waiter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, sir, not until eleven," was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Must wait until we get to Gloucester, I suppose," +grunted the general. "One of the penalties +for stopping at a place on a branch line."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A fine little place, Pater," remarked George. +"Absolutely top-hole. Wish we were staying +here. There's an awfully decent stream down +there--looks just the place for fishing."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't beat the Severn for that, my boy," +declared his father, loyal to his native town and the +river that flows past its site. "Buck up, my boy, +and finish the packing. I want to see that that +petrol-tank is properly filled--no unsealed cans, +remember."</p> +<p class="pnext">George Crosthwaite was really a useful assistant +to his parent. Crosthwaite Senior frankly +recognized the fact, but forbore from giving his son, +personally, due credit, avowing that it was bad for +discipline to be lavish with praise.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Smart youngster, Sefton, my boy," he declared +in proud confidence to the admiral. "He has his +head screwed on the right way, although I suppose +I ought not to brag about it. Have to be careful, +though, that he doesn't kick over the traces just yet."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was nearly nine before the car was ready to +resume its journey. In high spirits, for the bracing +air and bright sunshine made a perfect day, the +party set off.</p> +<p class="pnext">Major-General Crosthwaite started at a strictly +moderate pace. He invariably did; but it was +always noticeable that, before he had covered many +miles, he accelerated the speed until it reached a +reckless pace bordering on fifty miles an hour. +Towards the end of his day's journey, he would +develop a speed that caused his sedate passengers +to quake with apprehension, and his youthful ones +to revel in the terrific rush through the air.</p> +<p class="pnext">Twenty minutes after leaving Malmesbury the +car, now running splendidly, bounded up the steep +ascent into old-world Tetbury. Here, taking a +wrong turning, the motorists had to retrace their +way, Crosthwaite Senior slowing down in order to +avoid a similar mistake.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently Leslie caught sight of a placard +displayed outside a news-agent's shop. In flaring +red letters were the words: "Big Naval Action +in the North Sea".</p> +<p class="pnext">Leaning over the seat he gripped his father's +arm. By this time the car was well beyond the shop.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's wrong?" bawled the admiral, for the +wind-screen had been lowered and the breeze was +whistling past his ears.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Big scrap in the North Sea--it's on the +placards," replied his son,</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heave-to, Crosthwaite!" exclaimed Admiral +Sefton. "Stop here!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The driver, imagining that something was amiss, +and that he had unknowingly run over something, +applied his emergency brakes, bringing up his car +all standing and at a grave risk to the tyres. +Leslie, taken unawares, shot forward, "ramming" +his parent in the small of the back with his head +and forcing the admiral against the dash-board.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What the----!" began the astonished Crosthwaite Senior.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost unconscious of the rough treatment by +his son, Admiral Sefton descended from the car. +Already George had executed a flying leap, and +was running towards the news-agent's shop.</p> +<p class="pnext">Returning with a handful of papers he met the +admiral half-way.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's 'The Day', sir!" he exclaimed, confident +in the belief that the long-expected struggle for +naval supremacy had been settled once and for all +in Britain's favour.</p> +<p class="pnext">Admiral Sefton grabbed the proffered paper with +super-energy, almost tearing the flimsy fabric with +his powerful fingers as he fumbled with the +recalcitrant leaves.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the look of eager expectancy faded from +his face, giving place to a dull, strained expression +of incredulity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come along, Sefton!" sang out Crosthwaite +Senior. "Don't be greedy with the good news. +Why, man----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We've got it properly in the neck, Pater," +announced his son. "Fourteen of ours, including +the <em class="italics">Queen Mary</em>, sunk."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But the enemy--the German losses are heavier +than ours?" enquired the general, snatching at the +paper George was holding.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two officers scanned the official report. +"Owing to low visibility"--was ever an Admiralty +dispatch issued with such halting excuses? A +straightforward admission of our losses, it is true, +but nothing to suggest that the Germans had +incurred similar or heavier casualties, or even that +the British navy had gained the day. And then +there was the perplexing statement that the +Germans had rescued a number of British seamen, +and no corresponding report to the effect that we +had saved any of theirs. Everything pointed to a +running fight in which the Huns were the pursuers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Admiral Sefton was dumbfounded. Had there +been a convenient wall, he might have turned his +face towards it and groaned in spirit. Instead he +set his jaw tightly and thought hard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you make of it?" enquired the general. +"Looks bad on the face of it, eh?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We must wait for further details," was his +companion's guarded reply. The journey was resumed, +but all the joy had vanished from the minds of the +party. No longer, the beautiful scenery appealed +to them; the crisp, bracing air and brilliant +sunshine called in vain.</p> +<p class="pnext">Down the steep "hairpin" road through Nailsworth, +and along one of the prettiest valleys of the +Cotswolds, the car literally crawled. General +Crosthwaite, contrary to his usual practice, was driving +slowly and listlessly. His keen zest had +disappeared. As he gripped the steering-wheel he +thought deeply, remembering that his son was +somewhere out there in the trackless, mine-strewn +North Sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">The admiral, too, was meditating. He would +dearly have liked to have paced to and fro, with his +hands clasped behind his back in true quarter-deck +style; but since the limits of the car made such a +proceeding impossible, and it was equally difficult +to alight unless the car stopped, he "sat tight" +and made a mental review of the battle, constructing +his theories upon the slender foundations +conveyed in the official report.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gradually his perplexities vanished. The firm +belief in the well-being of the navy that had gripped +his mind ever since those long-past <em class="italics">Britannia</em> days +was not to be shattered by a disquieting and +obviously incomplete report, even though it bore +Admiralty endorsement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hang it all!" he exclaimed, startling his +friend by bawling into Crosthwaite Senior's ear. +"Hanged if I'll go by that report. Just you wait, +my dear fellow, until supplementary information is +forthcoming. It's my belief the Admiralty have +something up their sleeve, and that we've won +hands down."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You think so?" asked the general eagerly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Think so! I know it," was the now decided +reply. "Carry on, Crosthwaite, full-speed ahead, +and we'll see what news there is when we get to +Gloucester."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hope you're right," thought the army officer. +Visions of a previous naval disaster--that of the +gallant Craddock's defeat off Coronel, the first news +of which came from German sources--urged that +such a thing as a naval defeat might be possible, +especially in view of the great part played by chance. +A misunderstood order might result in disaster. +A chance shot or an accidental internal explosion +might imperil the superiority of the British fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">But there was always the dominating factor--men, +not ships, win battles. The British seaman, +with the glorious traditions of centuries behind +him, is in every way superior to the brute who +mans the fleet of the Black Cross Ensign.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the general found himself mentally kicking +himself for not sharing in the admiral's optimism.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sefton's right," he concluded. "When we +get more news we'll find that all's well."</p> +<p class="pnext">At Gloucester the admiral sent off a telegram, +bought four different papers, scanned the bulletins +in the windows of the publishing offices, and found +himself little wiser than before; but at Worcester, +where the motorists stopped for lunch, they found +the outlook much brighter.</p> +<p class="pnext">Steps had already been taken to counteract the +depressing effects of the preliminary official +announcement of the Battle of Jutland. The loss of +the <em class="italics">Warspite</em> and <em class="italics">Marlborough</em>, both ships having +been claimed as sunk by the Germans, was +categorically denied, and a statement of the British +vessels, known to be sunk, given. Enemy ships, +aggregating in tonnage more than that of our +losses, were claimed only when definite reports of +their fate were received, from which it was now +evident that, far from being a German victory, the +honours rested with the fleet under Jellicoe's command.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the post office Admiral Sefton obtained a wire, +sent in reply to his telegram from Gloucester. It +was from an old shipmate, now holding an appointment +at Whitehall, and was as follows:--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Vessel in question has not returned to base."</p> +<p class="pnext">Without a word the admiral handed the buff +paper to his friend. Hardly a muscle of +Crosthwaite Senior's weather-beaten face moved as he +read the momentous but indefinite news, although +the "vessel in question" was the T.B.D. <em class="italics">Calder</em>, +and both men had similar personal interests in the +matter.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the moment private considerations held +supreme sway. The two men mutually extended +their right hands and exchanged sympathetic grips.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If they are knocked out, it was in the thick of +the scrap," declared General Crosthwaite. "I'll +stake my all upon that."</p> +<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Dulce et</em>----" began the admiral, then, coming +to the conclusion that he was a trifle premature, +he exclaimed: "Dash it all, Crosthwaite, strange +things happen at sea! They may turn up after all."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's the suspense," added Crosthwaite. "Look +here, I'll take the car right slap on to Edinburgh, +and go on to Rosyth. Are you game?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Carry on," said Admiral Sefton. "I'm with you."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvi-the-struggle-in-the-mountain-pass"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id17">CHAPTER XVI--The Struggle in the Mountain Pass</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Near the summit of Blackstone Edge, an +unfrequented road running at a height of between 1200 +and 1300 feet over the serrated Pennine Hills, five +men were lying upon the short, dark-green grass +in a slight hollow within ten yards of the highway. +There was little about their appearance that +demanded attention. A casual observer might in +pardonable error have taken them for a party of +Lancashire mill operatives out for a day's enjoyment.</p> +<p class="pnext">At intervals one of the party would roll over on +his side, produce a pair of prismatic glasses from +his pocket, and peer with considerable caution over +the ridge of the hollow, focusing the binoculars +upon the winding ribbon-like "slag" road that +ascended steeply from the town of Rochdale, the +factory chimneys of which were just discernible +through the murky Lancashire atmosphere. Then, +with a guttural grunt that betokened disappointment, +he would replace the glasses and relapse into +a stolid contemplation of his silent comrades. The +hot sun pouring pitilessly upon the heavily-clad +men did not tend to improve their physical +comfort. Several times they cursed the tormenting +flies, expressing their murmured epithets in the +German tongue.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last one of the men spoke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you sure that he is coming this way, +Hans?" he asked, addressing the man with the +binoculars. "Perhaps he has taken it into his +head to take the other road--the Stanedge Pass, +it is called."</p> +<p class="pnext">"These Englishmen are so pig-headed that they +rarely change their minds," replied Hans. "It is +often as well that they do not. I have it on +excellent authority that he leaves Liverpool at nine, +addresses a conference at Bolton at eleven, and +receives a deputation at Rochdale at two. Now, is +it conceivable that he would go a roundabout way +to Halifax when this is the shortest and easiest route?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"He may take the railway train," suggested +another of the band, as he shifted an automatic +pistol from his hip pocket, where it seriously +interfered with his ease, to his breast coat pocket.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Knowing our man as I do," declared Hans, +"I do not think it likely, unless his motor breaks +down over these atrocious cobbled roads. No, I +think we are soon to meet our expected visitor. +Now, are you all thoroughly acquainted with your +duties? There must be no failure. Even partial +success is not sufficient. Complete obliteration of +the man, a final disappearance, is what is required, +and what must be accomplished."</p> +<p class="pnext">A resolute chorus of assent rose from the four +subordinates. Their leader, levelling his +binoculars, studied the road for the twentieth time.</p> +<p class="pnext">The five were members of a German Secret Service +agency. Provided with registration cards, obtained +with the greatest ease, since no attempt had been +made to verify the particulars demanded by law; +speaking English with a flawless Lancashire +accent, members of a trade union, and fully +conversant with the peculiarities of industrial life, the +men were able to carry on their nefarious scheme +with little risk of detection.</p> +<p class="pnext">After a run of minor activities, an opportunity +was about to occur whereby they might render an +important service to the Fatherland. A high official +was engaged upon an industrial tour of Lancashire +and Yorkshire, with the intention of increasing the +already huge output of munitions from the factories +temporarily given over to the production of +war-like stores. The magnetic personality of the man +made the task an easy one to him, although others +less gifted would have encountered nothing but +opposition had they proposed the same conditions +to the independent operatives of Lancashire and +Yorkshire. He was one of the very few Government +officials who understood the northern +temperament. When others would have "rubbed them +up the wrong way", this level-headed statesman +was able to enlist the whole-hearted sympathies +of blunt and outspoken audiences. His persuasive +powers were worth an army corps to the +Commander-in-Chief of the British troops in France.</p> +<p class="pnext">The five Germans had laid their plans well. +Their proposed operations had met with full +approval from head-quarters at Berlin, and the result +of their efforts was anxiously awaited by the +German Government. Since abduction left a loophole +in the complete furtherance of the plot, Teutonic +thoroughness and frightfulness had devised a more +drastic plan.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the summit of the Blackstone Edge is a large +lake or reservoir, its unfenced sides shelving steeply +to a depth, in a certain place, of fifty feet. It would +be a comparatively simple matter to wreck the car, +murder its occupants if they still survived the fall +from the overturned vehicle, and topple the +wreckage into the dark waters of the mountain lake.</p> +<p class="pnext">A cloud passed athwart the sun. The sweltering +heat gave place to a piercing cold. The Huns +shivered in the cold wind and grumbled at the +keenness of the English June. Overhead three +gaunt crows flew, cawing dismally. With +Teutonic superstition one of the men called his +companions' attention to the ill omen.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nonsense, Otto!" protested the man known as +Hans. "The ill luck is directed against the man +for whom we are waiting so patiently. Ha! Here +comes the car."</p> +<p class="pnext">With their heads just showing above the ridge, +the five kept the approaching motor under close +observation. It was climbing rapidly, leaving in +its wake a cloud of dust that drifted slowly across +the deep valley on the left-hand side of the curve. +Presently an unmistakable rasping sound +announced the fact that the driver, finding the +gradient too severe, had let in the lowest gear.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you certain it is he?" asked one of the +Huns. "There are four in the car?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Did you suppose he would travel alone?" +retorted his leader. "That is he right enough--the +man in civilian clothes. The other is a military +staff officer. The red in his cap proves that. The +younger men are doubtless his secretaries--valets +perhaps. Yes, it is our man. Now, make ready."</p> +<p class="pnext">Giving a glance in the opposite direction in order +to make certain that no one was approaching from +the Yorkshire side of the Pass, Hans cautiously +placed a small battery within easy reach of his fat, +podgy fingers. From the battery ran a couple of fine +wires through the stretch of grass, terminating at +an inconspicuous greyish object lying in the centre +of the road in the midst of a scatter of loose stones.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the critical moment a touch upon the firing-key +of the battery and----</p> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">"Why are you so keen upon the East Coast +route, Crosthwaite?" asked the admiral. "It's a +jolly sight longer."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That I admit," replied the general. "But I +know it, which makes a vast difference. The Carlisle +road is jolly rough, especially over Shap Summit."</p> +<p class="pnext">"By the by, George, here is a little problem for +you," said Admiral Sefton. "Which is the farthest +west, Liverpool or Edinburgh?"</p> +<p class="pnext">George looked at Leslie for assistance. That +worthy, having heard the question put many times +before, took an astonishing interest in a policeman +at the street corner.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, sir," replied George, "Liverpool is on +the west coast; Edinburgh on the east----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Within a few miles," corrected the admiral. +"Therefore I should imagine that Liverpool is +more to the west."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then look it up on the map," exclaimed +Admiral Sefton triumphantly. "You'll find you're +wrong. That's why I couldn't understand your +father's intention of keeping to the East Coast +route until he explained his preference."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll do it quicker, too," rejoined Crosthwaite, +Senior. "Once we're clear of the outskirts of +Manchester we'll reel off the miles like winking. +Here you are: Rochdale, Halifax, Bradford, and +Harrogate, striking the Great North Road at +Boroughbridge."</p> +<p class="pnext">The journey was resumed, the admiral, as before, +sitting with Crosthwaite Senior, while George and +Leslie, comfortably ensconced in the rear seats, were +surreptitiously examining a formidable-looking +air-pistol that Leslie Sefton had smuggled into his +portmanteau.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was modelled after a Service weapon, having +the same weight and balance. The barrel was +rifled, and was capable of sending a lead slug with +considerable force and low trajectory from a distance +of fifty yards.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll take pot shots at rabbits on the way," +declared Leslie. "The governor won't hear the +sound. It makes very little noise, and the engine +will drown that. There'll be hundreds of bunnies +up there," and he pointed to the still-distant +outlines of the frowning Pennines.</p> +<p class="pnext">Up and up, out of the dreary manufacturing +district, the car climbed, until the moist smoky +atmosphere of the cotton-mills gave place to the +keen bracing air of the hills.</p> +<p class="pnext">Both lads, alive to the possibilities of using the +air-pistol, hung on to the side of the car, their eyes +roving the grass-land in the hope of spotting a +likely target.</p> +<p class="pnext">The car had been climbing on low gear, but now +the gradient became less. The travellers were +nearing the summit of Blackstone Edge.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly Leslie levelled the weapon, aiming at +what he took to be the body of a rabbit showing +above the top of a hillock. He was on the point of +pressing the trigger when a loud crash, followed +by a cloud of smoke and dust immediately behind +the car, almost caused the pistol to drop from his grasp.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's that?" exclaimed Admiral Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tyre burst, I'm afraid," replied Crosthwaite +Senior, momentarily expecting the car to swerve. +Applying the brakes he brought the car to a standstill, +with the engine still running, and prepared to +investigate the extent of the damage.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Huns' carefully-laid plans had gone awry +through Leslie Sefton's instrumentality. The lad +had mistaken one of the miscreants' caps for a rabbit. +Hans, under the impression that the attempt had +been discovered, and that one of the occupants of +the car was levelling a pistol at him, suddenly lost +his nerve. He depressed the firing-key of the +battery a second or so too late. Instead of the +detonation occurring immediately underneath the +motor, it expended its force harmlessly in the air.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove, Crosthwaite!" exclaimed the admiral +as a rapid fusillade was opened upon the stationary +car. "Modern highwaymen!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Keep down, lads," ordered the general sharply, +for the nickel bullets were singing overhead like a +swarm of angry bees. "Under the seat, Sefton. +Be sharp!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Never!" expostulated the admiral sturdily.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not you, I mean," almost roared his companion +by way of apology. "You'll find a Webley under +the seat. Look alive, man! It's loaded only in +one chamber."</p> +<p class="pnext">Leslie Sefton's first impulse was to duck, until +remembering that he still held a loaded weapon, +although it was but an air-pistol, in his hand, he +rested the barrel upon the padded back of the seat +and aimed at the nearest of the assailants.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was an excellent shot. The little bullet struck +Hans just above the right eye. With an oath the +German clapped both hands to his injury, dropping +his pistol as he did so, and began to dance round +and round in agony.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Four to four now," exclaimed the lad, taking +into no account the fact that the supposed highwaymen +were all well armed. He jerked back the +barrel of the air-pistol and inserted another pellet, +the zest of the fight gripping him with the utmost +intensity.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Crosthwaite Senior had let in the +clutch, and had succeeded in turning the car in the +direction of the attackers. Altogether unprepared +for this manoeuvre, the four separated, two making +to the right, and the others, keeping close together, +edging away to the left, still maintaining a hot and +erratic fire.</p> +<p class="pnext">Bending low behind the wind-screen, the plate-glass +of which was already "starred" in several +places by the impact of the bullets, the general +urged the car straight in the direction of the men +on his left. Even as he did so, the admiral, who +had discovered the loaded revolver, blazed away on +his left, with the result that Otto lost all present +and future interest in the welfare of the Fatherland.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Lucky shot," exclaimed Admiral Sefton +modestly. "Very lucky shot. In the centre of +his fat forehead, by Jove!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Only on rare occasions, since those far-off days +when he was a young lieutenant, had the retired +naval officer handled a revolver, but his skill and +deadly precision remained. Leisure hours, spent +with his favourite dog and gun amidst his preserves, +had done much to keep the hardy admiral's eye as +bright and his hand as steady as of yore, when his +revolver practice was the envy of his messmates on +the old gunnery-ship Excellent.</p> +<p class="pnext">Ejecting the empty cartridge case, the admiral +loaded all six chambers. Then, ready to resume +the encounter, he again levelled the weapon, at the +same time protesting audibly that the first shot was +a mere fluke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Giving scant heed to his friend's remarks, Crosthwaite +Senior kept the car full in the direction of +his particular quarry. Over the low bank bordering +the road the heavy vehicle mounted, lurching +dangerously as it did so. Only by sheer chance +did it escape being capsized, as the offside wheels +rose three feet clear of the soft, grass-grown soil.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dash it all, Crosthwaite!" protested the admiral. +"Fairly spoiled my shot that time. Easy ahead, +man, or you'll have us all overboard."</p> +<p class="pnext">Loud yells from another of the Huns showed +that the admiral's second shot, if not so deadly as +the first, had "scored an outer". Leaving his +companions to continue the treacherous attack, the +wounded man ran as fast as he could, still bellowing +with pain, and holding his coat tails with both hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">Only two Huns remained. Wildly firing, they +stood their ground until the car was within a few +feet of them.</p> +<p class="pnext">In his keenness Major-General Crosthwaite had +not taken sufficient notice of the nature of the +ground. Mounting a steep hillock, the car swerved +and toppled completely over, pinning the admiral +beneath the chassis and throwing the other +occupants headlong upon the turf.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a flash the two Germans seized their opportunity. +One, levelling his automatic pistol, fired +point-blank at the prostrate general, the bullet +passing completely through his uplifted arm and +flattening itself against his silver cigar-case. Before +the miscreant could load again--it was the last +cartridge in the magazine--George flung himself +upon him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The remaining Hun, finding that his automatic +weapon was likewise empty, and mindful of Leslie's +brandished air-pistol, was chary of closing with the +lad. Incautiously, young Sefton levelled the pistol +and fired, the pellet merely penetrating the +German's coat and waistcoat, and inflicting a slight +scratch on his chest.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a trice, the Hun guessed the comparatively +feeble nature of the British lad's weapon. He +knew that seconds would have to elapse before the +air-pistol could be reloaded. Mentally comparing +his size with that of the fifteen-year-old youth, he +came to the conclusion that it was safe to close.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leslie, far from declining the unspoken +challenge, threw himself at his opponent, and two +pairs of desperately earnest antagonists were locked +in deadly combat. It was long odds, for, with +Crosthwaite Senior helpless with a bullet through +his arm, and the admiral imprisoned beneath the +overturned car, no help seemed likely to be +forthcoming from that direction. To make matters +worse, Hans, the leader of the gang, having +quieted down after the first acute pain, had seen +how things stood, and, recovering his pistol, had +cautiously approached, seeking a favourable +opportunity to turn the already-wavering scale.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvii-safe-in-port"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id18">CHAPTER XVII--Safe in Port</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Throughout the long-drawn night the survivors +of the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew battled manfully against +increasing difficulties in their efforts to save the +destroyer from foundering. The faulty bulkhead, +shored and barricaded with tightly-packed +hammocks and other canvas gear, required constant +watching. The pumps were working continuously, +relays of men undertaking the arduous task in the +high-spirited manner that pervades the navy, +especially when confronted with danger and peril.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not once during the hours of darkness did Sefton +quit the remnants of the bridge. Without the aid +of navigating instruments, save the inadequate +compass, the destroyer's course could not be +maintained with the customary precision. Variation +and deviation--factors carefully guarded against in +ordinary circumstances--were affecting the boat's +liquid compass, but to what extent Sefton knew +not. With a vague idea that he would "fetch" +the Firth of Forth, the sub held on, the grinding +revolutions of the remaining propeller dinning into +his ears the knowledge that the old <em class="italics">Calder</em> was +momentarily, but slowly, approaching the shores +of Britain.</p> +<p class="pnext">A cup of unfragrant tea, sweetened with +condensed milk, and a biscuit which was strongly +scented with a peculiarly acrid smell, were +gratefully accepted by the wellnigh exhausted sub. The +man who brought the refreshments to the bridge +had not thought it necessary to explain that he had +scraped the sodden tea from the floor of the +shell-wrecked officers'-pantry, or that he had been +compelled to wash the salt water from the biscuits and +toast them in the stokehold.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once more the waves had subsided, and an +almost flat calm prevailed. Overhead a few stars +shone dimly through the haze. Not a light was +visible; all around, sea and sky blended in a dark, +ill-defined murk.</p> +<p class="pnext">At four bells the helmsman was relieved. He +was the seventh consecutive man whom Sefton had +seen taking his trick at the wheel, but still the sub +stuck gamely at his post. He would have given +almost anything to throw himself at full length +upon the dewy deck and sleep like a log, even for +a couple of hours, but such a privilege was denied +him. His wounds, too, although slight, were +beginning to feel painfully stiff. The sea-water, +penetrating his ragged uniform, irritated the abrasions +almost beyond endurance. He yearned in vain for +a hot bath and a change of clothing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How goes it now?" enquired a tired voice, +hardly recognizable as that of Dr. Stirling. +"Where are we?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Somewhere in the North Sea, old bird," replied +Sefton, with a forced laugh. "Do you happen to +have a prescription for an eyelid prop, Pills? My +optics seem on the point of becoming bunged up."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tell it not in Gath," quoted the surgeon. +"I've just made a discovery--worth at the present +moment more than untold gold. Egyptian, man, +real Egyptian, and the only ones to be found on +board."</p> +<p class="pnext">He proffered his silver case. Sefton seized one +of the cigarettes with avidity. For hours he had +longed in vain for a smoke. His own supply had +vanished. Several hundred, having fallen through +a jagged rent in the ward-room floor, were lying, +a sodden pulp, in the water that surged in the +ship's bilges.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks awfully!" he exclaimed gratefully.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bit of luck," continued Stirling. "Found the +case in the wreckage of the beer barrel. I don't +think the stuff's affected them. Case seems pretty +tight. Thought I'd come on deck and have half a +dozen whiffs with you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Crouching under the lee of the canvas screen +that had been rigged up to replace the demolished +storm-dodgers, Sefton carefully struck a match. +Almost before the cigarette was alight, a jarring +shock made the <em class="italics">Calder</em> tremble from her shattered +bows to her jagged taffrail. Immediately +afterwards the remaining engine began to race with +frightful rapidity.</p> +<p class="pnext">Dropping the cigarette like a hot cinder, Sefton +sprang to his feet, fully convinced that the +long-expected catastrophe had occurred, and that the +bulkhead had given way. Stirling, his first +thoughts for his patients, scurried down the +bridge-ladder and ran aft to where the double line of +wounded men lay, each covered by a hammock +to protect him from the night dews and drifting spray.</p> +<p class="pnext">A minute passed. There was no impetuous +inrush of water. The bulkhead was still holding. +The engine-room ratings had shut off steam, and +the horrible, nerve-racking clank of the racing +machinery ceased.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Propeller fouled some wreckage, sir," reported +a petty officer. "Blades stripped clean off the +boss I'll allow."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man was right in his surmise. The last of +the four propellers had struck some partly +submerged object, with the result that the destroyer +was no longer capable of moving through the +water under her own power. All she could do +was to drift helplessly with wind and tide.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a deafening hiss, a heavy cloud of steam +released from the now useless boilers escaped +skywards. The overworked engine-room and stokehold +staffs were at last at liberty to "stand easy".</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly a beam of dazzling white light flashed +through the darkness. Impinging upon the cloud +of steam, its reflected glare illumined the scene on +deck as clearly as if it had been broad daylight. +Then, with a quick, decisive movement, the giant +ray was depressed, until it played fairly upon the +battered hull, throwing every object into strong +relief, and literally blinding the men with its dazzling +glare.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What ship is that?" shouted a deep voice +through a megaphone, the sound travelling +distinctly across the intervening water.</p> +<p class="pnext">A couple of cables' lengths from the stationary +<em class="italics">Calder</em> was a large destroyer, with her search-light +directed upon the object of her enquiry.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton's reply was inaudible. The direction of +the wind and the lack of a megaphone prevented +his words from being understood. Again the +challenge was repeated.</p> +<p class="pnext">Standing erect in the full glare of the +searchlight, and apart from his companions, a petty +officer semaphored the desired information.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand by to receive a hawser," commanded the +lieutenant-commander of the unknown destroyer. +"We'll take you in tow."</p> +<p class="pnext">The vessel was T.B.D. <em class="italics">Basher</em>, one of the inner +patrol of destroyers operating between St. Abb's +Head and Spurn Point. Pelting along at 20 +knots in the darkness, her first intimation of the +proximity of the crippled <em class="italics">Calder</em> was the hiss of +steam from her boilers. Prepared to open fire at +an instant's notice, she trained her quick-firers +abeam and switched on her search-lights, only to +discover that she had fortunately fallen in with a +"lame duck" from the Jutland battle--a craft +whose absence was beginning to give rise to +considerable apprehension on the part of the British +Admiralty.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You'll tow better stern-foremost, I fancy," +shouted the <em class="italics">Basher's</em> skipper, as he noted the +extent to which the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was down by the head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," agreed Sefton. "There will be less +pressure upon the bulkhead for'ard. It has been +giving us some anxiety."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is Crosthwaite on board?" enquired the +lieutenant-commander of the rescuing craft.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Badly wounded," was the sub's reply. "We +had it fairly hot for a time. Can you give us any +details of the result of the action, sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes; we gave them a terrific licking," said the +skipper of the <em class="italics">Basher</em>. "The rotten part was that +the Huns got away during the night. Still, they +won't come out again in a hurry. They've been +very busy ever since sending out fantastic claims +to a decisive victory over the British fleet. On +paper they certainly beat us hollow, but the funny +part about it is that Jellicoe made a demonstration +in force off the Bight of Heligoland yesterday, and +the beggars funked the invitation. By the by, the +sea's fairly calm. We'll run alongside and +tranship your wounded. It will save a lot of bother if +you have to abandon ship."</p> +<p class="pnext">Adroitly manoeuvred in the darkness, for the +search-lights were now screened lest a prowling +U boat might take advantage of the motionless +British destroyers, the <em class="italics">Basher</em> was made fast to +her disabled consort. Carefully the wounded men +were transferred, Dr. Stirling, at the sub's request, +going with them, since the <em class="italics">Basher</em> was one of a +class of destroyers without the services of a medical man.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was one exception. Crosthwaite resolutely +declined to leave his ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">"She's brought us through thus far," he declared, +"and I'll stick to her until we fetch home. +Where are we now?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton was unable to reply until he had enquired +of the <em class="italics">Basher's</em> navigating officer the position of the +ship. The answer was somewhat astonishing; the +<em class="italics">Calder</em>, when picked up, was forty-five miles from +the mouth of the Tyne.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A precious fine piece of navigation," remarked +the sub ruefully. "I was trying to make the Firth +of Forth, and instead I find myself barging into +the Northumberland coast."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Might have done a jolly sight worse, old man," +said Crosthwaite cheerfully. "You're a brick, Sefton!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub flushed like a schoolgirl, and, bolting +from the shell-wrecked ward-room, made for the bridge.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All clear aft?" shouted the <em class="italics">Basher's</em> +lieutenant-commander.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Aye, aye, sir," was the reply from a petty +officer stationed at the after capstan, round which +the towing-hawser had been made fast.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Cast off fore and after springs," continued the +officer, telegraphing for "Half ahead, port engine".</p> +<p class="pnext">Very cautiously the towing-craft forged ahead, +turning sixteen points in almost her own length. +In the darkness the manoeuvre was fraught with +anxiety, for, had the slack of the hawser fouled the +<em class="italics">Basher's</em> propellers, the destroyer would have been +as helpless as the craft she was endeavouring to save.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length the wire hawser began to groan as, +under the increased strain, it rasped through the +fair-lead. Ever so slowly, yet surely, the <em class="italics">Calder</em> +gathered stern way in the wake of her consort, and +presently she was nearing the Tyne at a rate of +7-½ knots.</p> +<p class="pnext">With her helm lashed amidships, and without +means of steering, the partly waterlogged craft +yawed horribly, sheering alternately four points +to port and starboard of the towing-vessel. Yet +it was the only practical means of getting the +destroyer into port. Had she been towed bows +first, the already-weakened for'ard bulkhead would +assuredly have collapsed under the additional +pressure of water.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We may fetch Tynemouth," thought Sefton, +as he watched the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> erratic movements, "but +she'll never be able to ascend the river. She'll be +barging into the banks and playing the deuce with +everything."</p> +<p class="pnext">He could think of nothing to check the damaged +destroyer's behaviour. A scope of the cable +trailing from the hawse-pipe might have served, had +not anchors, struck by several projectiles, been +immovably jammed in the hawse-pipes.</p> +<p class="pnext">The same problem also confronted the skipper of +the <em class="italics">Basher</em>, but he quickly settled it by wirelessing +for a tug.</p> +<p class="pnext">Dawn was just breaking when the <em class="italics">Calder</em> arrived +off Tynemouth. A powerful paddle-tug was lashed +alongside, and the voyage up the river began.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the busy shipyards on either side of the Tyne, +the night shifts were still hard at work turning out +new vessels for the British navy at the rate of one +and a half a week, in addition to effecting urgent +repairs to ships damaged in action or by floating mines.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Lads," shouted a burly iron-caulker in +stentorian tones, "here be a German prize bein' towed +up t' river."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Garn!" retorted his mate. "German prize, +my aunt! You don't see no German flag a-flyin; +under that British ensign. She's one of our plucky +'uns. Give her three times three, mates!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The cheering, caught up with redoubled energy, +greeted the battered <em class="italics">Calder</em> throughout the whole +length of her progress up the river. Her wounded +lieutenant-commander, lying helpless in his bunk, +heard the inspiring sound. He knew what it +meant. A load had been lifted off his mind. His +command was safe in port.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviii-too-late"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id19">CHAPTER XVIII--Too Late!</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Eight days' leave--both watches."</p> +<p class="pnext">The welcome order was given to the survivors of +the <em class="italics">Calder's</em> crew with a promptitude that betokened +official regard and appreciation of the plucky +destroyer's ship's company.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Calder</em>, safe in dock, was handed over to the +care of the shipyard authorities. At high pressure, +the task of getting her ready for sea once more +would occupy the best part of two months, so badly +had she been knocked about.</p> +<p class="pnext">When in dry dock, a discovery was made that +showed how narrow her escape had been from +instant destruction. A large-sized German torpedo +was found in her flooded forepeak, its head +flattened against the inside of the bow-plates. Fired +at a distance of a few yards, it had passed +completely through the thin metal hull, and, failing +to penetrate the other side, had remained trapped +in the waterlogged compartment. Examination +showed that the safety-fan in the head of the weapon +had not had sufficient time to revolve and liberate +the firing-pin. A difference of a few yards would +have been enough to transform the innocuous +missile into a deadly weapon, capable of shattering +the <em class="italics">Calder</em> like an egg-shell.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having written up his report to the Commander-in-Chief, +seen Crosthwaite safely into a shore +hospital, and dispatched a telegram to his home +announcing his safe return, Sefton bathed and +turned in.</p> +<p class="pnext">Six hours later he was up, feeling considerably +refreshed. All that had to be done in an official +sense had been carried out, and he was free to +proceed on well-earned leave.</p> +<p class="pnext">A steam pinnace landed him and his scanty +belongings on the Gateshead side of the river. +Clad in mufti, since his uniform was little more +than a collection of scorched rags, the sub made +his way towards the station.</p> +<p class="pnext">Perhaps, now that the arduous period of responsibility +had passed, Sefton was feeling the reaction. +At any rate his usual alertness had temporarily +deserted him, for, on crossing a crowded thoroughfare, +he narrowly escaped being knocked down by +a passing motor-car.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why don't you look----?" began the owner of +the car; then: "Bless my soul, Sefton! Whoever +expected to see you here! Thought you had been +done in, 'pon my soul I did. Where's the <em class="italics">Calder</em>? +And how's old Crosthwaite?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The speaker was Sub-lieutenant Farnworth, +Sefton's old shipmate on board the <em class="italics">Hammerer</em>, +where both had served as midshipmen during the +earlier stages of the war.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They slung me out of the submarine service," +said Farnworth, after Sefton had briefly replied +to his friend's enquiries. "Why? Oh, merely +a bit of bad luck! Crocked my leg, don't you know."</p> +<p class="pnext">Farnworth was too modest to give details. He +had vivid recollections of a dirty day in the North +Sea, with submarine E-- lying awash, and a hostile +mine foul of her bows. The plucky young officer, +assisted by a couple of equally resolute seamen, +succeeded in freeing the submarine from the +unwelcome attentions of the metal globe, but in so +doing the mooring-chain had surged, fracturing +Farnworth's thigh as the heavy mine dropped clear.</p> +<p class="pnext">It took three months at Haslar Hospital, followed +by six weeks at Osborne, to set matters right, but +the sub's leg was permanently shortened. To his +great relief, Farnworth was not invalided out of +the Service, although unfit for sea. He was given +a good billet in the Intelligence Department, his +district covering the Tyne ports, Hull, and Liverpool.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a powerful car at his disposal, Farnworth +was in clover. His sole regret was his inability to +tread the planks of a British war-ship. The call of +the sea was strong. He would willingly have +relinquished his "cushy job" to be in command of +the slowest little torpedo-boat flying the White Ensign.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm keeping you," said Sefton at length.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not at all," said Farnworth, with a grin. "It's +Government petrol I'm using, you know, and I'm +not due at Liverpool until eight to-night. Do it on +my head, so to speak. And you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just off to the station, old man," replied Sefton. +"Want to get home to-night."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Southampton? I doubt it, old bird. You've +missed the express to King's Cross. No, I'm not +to blame. It had gone long before you tried to +commit hara-kiri under my car. Look here; hop +in and I'll drop you at Manchester in plenty of +time to pick up the through train."</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton accepted the invitation with alacrity. +Being whisked through the air in a comfortable +car was infinitely to be preferred to being cooped +up in a railway-carriage after a tedious wait in a +draughty station.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ninety odd miles to Halifax was covered in +two hours and a half, for, on the open road, +Farnworth let the car all out, only slowing down while +passing through the big industrial towns that lay +on his route.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now for a ripping stretch of country," exclaimed +Farnworth enthusiastically. "Something to blow +the cobwebs away, don't you know. I always take +this road in preference to the Hebden Bridge way. +It's steeper, but the car can do it hands down."</p> +<p class="pnext">Up and up, with very little reduction of speed, +the high-powered car climbed. Sefton, drowsy for +lack of sufficient sleep and from the effects of the +strong air, failed to share his companion's +enthusiasm. Lulled by the rhythmic purr of the +motor-car, he was fast becoming oblivious to his +surroundings when Farnworth gave him a violent +shake with his disengaged hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's wrong?" enquired Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Scrap," replied his chum laconically. "Something +more than a dog-fight. What?" he muttered +under his breath as he pulled up.</p> +<p class="pnext">Twenty yards from the road was an overturned +car. Close to it lay a khaki-clad figure, while +engaged in a desperate struggle were two pairs of +interlocked combatants. Approaching them with +stealthy steps was a short, thickset, bullet-headed +man holding an automatic pistol.</p> +<p class="pnext">This much Sefton took in with a glance as he +leapt from the car. Fatigue and sleepiness had +vanished in an instant. All he realized was that a +party of motorists was being molested by a gang of +armed roughs, and that was enough.</p> +<p class="pnext">With Farnworth limping close at his heels, +Sefton ran to the rescue. An encouraging shout +from his companion caused the armed ruffian to turn.</p> +<p class="pnext">Brandishing his pistol, he shouted a warning to +the two new-comers to "clear out and mind their +own business".</p> +<p class="pnext">Undeterred by the sight of the weapon, the two +subs bounded forward. A couple of bullets whizzed +past Sefton's head, one of the pieces of nickel +chopping a slice out of the lobe of Farnworth's +left ear.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Hans could fire again, the deep report of +a heavy revolver rang out, followed by a bluish +puff of smoke from underneath the overturned car.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clapping his hands to his side, the German spun +round three times and collapsed to the ground.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he passed, Sefton kicked the fellow's pistol, +sending it flying a dozen yards. If the Hun were +playing 'possum, the sub meant to take no +unnecessary risks.</p> +<p class="pnext">In ten seconds the struggle was over. A +powerful blow from Farnworth's clenched fist made +George's assailant relax his grip on the lad's throat +and fall like a log.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leslie's antagonist, who was fast choking the +plucky lad into a state of insensibility, broke away, +and, with a yell of terror, fled for his life, hotly +pursued by Jack Sefton. Realizing that he was +being outstripped, the miscreant made straight for +the lake and plunged in.</p> +<p class="pnext">Vainly the sub waited for him to rise to the +surface. Either the man's head had struck against +some hard substance at the bottom or else he had +become entangled in the weeds.</p> +<p class="pnext">Greatly to Jack's surprise, he found that it was +his young brother who had put up such a game +struggle with his burly antagonist, and that Dick +Crosthwaite's father and brother were of the party. +Still greater was the sub's astonishment when he +heard a well-known voice exclaim,</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bear a hand, Jack. It's not at all comfortable here."</p> +<p class="pnext">With assistance the admiral was extricated from +the wreckage, little the worse for his adventure.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hang it all, my boy," exclaimed Admiral +Sefton, "we were coming to look for you. We +heard the <em class="italics">Calder</em> was overdue."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Didn't you get my wire, sir?" asked Jack. "I +telegraphed directly we got ashore."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Considering I've been three days on the road," +replied his father, "my postal address isn't of much +use. Hulloa, Crosthwaite, what have you got?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing much," declared the general. "A +clean bullet-wound. Thought I'd been plugged +through the chest. The shock knocked me out. +By Jove! That was a narrow squeak."</p> +<p class="pnext">He held his cigar case up for inspection. The +bullet had penetrated the lid, and had flattened +itself against the back, a bulge proving by how +little the missile had missed making a complete +perforation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The rascal has spoilt two of my choice cigars," +announced Crosthwaite Senior wrathfully. "What +was the object, I wonder? By George, Sefton, I +see ourselves let in for a coroner's inquest."</p> +<p class="pnext">While Jack and the admiral were attending to +George and Leslie, neither of whom showed any +signs of serious injury, Farnworth examined the +bodies of the three men. Two were stone dead--silent +testimonies to the accuracy of the admiral's +aim. The third was unconscious, the blow from +Farnworth's powerful fist having stunned him. Of +the others, one had been drowned, while the +remaining member of the gang--the one wounded by +the admiral--was at that moment limping painfully +over the hills, and putting a safe distance between +him and the scene of his rash and foiled exploit.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove, old man," exclaimed Farnworth, in +the midst of his task of examining the contents of +the dead man's pockets. "See what you make of this?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He held up a sheet of soiled and creased paper, +covered with closely-written flourishing writing, +for Jack Sefton's inspection. "German, by the +powers!" he added.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Partly in cipher and partly in ordinary +writing," declared Sefton. "These fellows are Huns, +right enough, but what is their object?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Farnworth did not reply. He was intently studying +the minute penmanship. Suddenly he started +to his feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The swine!" he ejaculated furiously. "Look +here--these three words--all as plain as a pike-staff."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, what does it mean?" asked the admiral, +his attention drawn to the discovery by Farnworth's +exclamation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A diplomatic mission is leaving a certain port. +By this time the vessel detailed to convoy the party +may have sailed. The spies knew this: this paper +proves that. Either they or their accomplices have +designs to interfere with the plan."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A bold surmise on your part," remarked +Admiral Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hope I'm mistaken, sir," replied Farnworth. +"We'll have to be on the move at once."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's your plan, old man?" enquired Jack +as the party set to work to convey the wounded +general to the waiting car.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Make for the nearest telegraph office," was the +prompt reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And these?" enquired the admiral, indicating +with a comprehensive sweep of his hand the +overturned motor and the three motionless forms of +their former assailants.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can wait, sir," replied Farnworth. "We'll +send the police and a break-down gang to clear up +the business. All ready, Jack?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Away glided the car, descending the curved road +at terrific speed. Approaching the bottom of the +pass, another car was encountered going in the +opposite direction. It contained the high +personage who probably owed his life to the blunder the +Germans had made in mistaking Crosthwaite's +party for his. In complete ignorance, the +occupants of the two cars passed. The Government +official was never to learn how close he had been +to a foul death by assassination on the desolate +Blackstone Edge.</p> +<p class="pnext">Over the rough setts of Rochdale, Farnworth's +car tore, until the young naval officer slowed up to +pass through a dense crowd gathered round the +windows of a firm of newspaper proprietors, and +extending more than half-way across the street.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instinctively the occupants of the car looked at +the bold letters scrawled upon a large sheet of paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good heavens!" ejaculated the admiral, hardly +able to believe his eyes; "we are too late!"</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xix-the-smack-fidelity"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id20">CHAPTER XIX--The Smack "Fidelity"</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Be a sport, Jack!" exclaimed Leslie Sefton coaxingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And take a sort of busman's holiday, eh?" +rejoined the sub, regarding his young brother with +a tolerant smile. "Well--I'll see."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks awfully," was Leslie's comment. +Experience had taught him that Jack's "I'll see" +invariably ended in acquiescence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two months had elapsed since the eventful +encounter on Blackstone Edge. August was well +advanced, bringing with it a spell of gloriously +fine weather; and, since the young people must +needs have holidays, even in war-time, and the +Admiral felt in need of a rest after the strenuous +shooting-match on the bleak Pennine Hills, the +Sefton family had taken a furnished house +overlooking Poole Harbour.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sub-lieutenant Sefton had been temporarily +appointed to the Portsmouth Naval Barracks, +pending another term of service afloat. His fairly +frequent periods of week-end leave, he invariably +spent with his parents, since Poole was within easy +railway distance of the senior naval port.</p> +<p class="pnext">Young Leslie was in his element. Before he had +been at Poole more than three hours he had already +chummed up with the owners of several pleasure +craft. But a few days of sailing in a landlocked +harbour soon whetted his appetite for a trip beyond +the bar, and for the present his wishes in that +direction were thwarted. Owing to the war-time +conditions, no pleasure-boat or yacht was permitted to +leave the spacious inland cruising-ground.</p> +<p class="pnext">Time after time, Leslie watched with yearning +eyes the brown-sailed fishing-fleet steal past the +patrol-boats guarding the entrance, and glide +seaward to the fishing-ground off the Dolphin Bank. +For the most part, the boats were manned by +grey-bearded stalwarts and young boys, worthy +descendants of Harry Page, Thompson, and other Poole +fishermen whose prowess against the French is still +remembered by the inhabitants of the Dorset +seaport. Already the British navy had claimed almost +every able-bodied fisherman of fighting age, and +nobly the men had responded to the call, leaving +grandfathers and grandsons to work the boats in +the open waters of the English Channel.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last Leslie found an opportunity. Getting on +the right side of old "Garge" Cottenham, owner +and master of the five-ton smack <em class="italics">Fidelity</em>, he +prevailed upon that worthy to allow him to make an +all-night trip to the fishing-grounds.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unfortunately the admiral did not see eye to eye +with his energetic son. Even Leslie's declaration +that he would be assisting in a work of national +importance by helping to provide the nation's food +left him unmoved. As a last resource the lad +appealed to Jack, who had just arrived upon the +scene for the week-end.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Isn't the harbour good enough for him?" asked +Admiral Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You don't get the lift of the open sea, you +know, Pater," replied the sub. "Leslie's got the +old instinct, you see."</p> +<p class="pnext">"S'pose so," admitted his parent. "A couple +of centuries of sea life is bound to tell, eh? All the +same, I don't like the idea of the boy knocking about +in a smack. He'll get into a dozen scrapes, and +end up by tumbling overboard and getting mixed +up in the trawl. Now if I were there to look after +him----"</p> +<p class="pnext">The admiral paused. Had old Garge Cottenham +extended the invitation to him, the bluff old +sea-dog could not have resisted the call of the +sea--e'en were it through the medium of a five-ton +smack. Between the man who in the splendour +of a gold-laced uniform had directed the +movements of a fleet and the other who grasped the +tiller of a grubby fishing-boat existed a common +tie--that mysterious and overpowering freemasonry +of the sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">On second thoughts, Admiral Sefton remembered +his comfortable bed and well-ordered repast, +comparing them with the discomforts of a night afloat +and relatively hard fare.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here Jack stepped nobly into the breach.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps the kid wouldn't object if I went with +him," he suggested. "Not keen on it, you know, +but----"</p> +<p class="pnext">And so it came to pass that when Leslie coaxed +his big brother the latter capitulated.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But what if your fisherman pal declined to ship +me with him?" he added.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No fear," replied Leslie. "I'll make that all +right; only don't tell him you're an officer."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, for why?" enquired the sub.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know exactly," was his brother's reply. +"Somehow I fancy Old Garge doesn't like naval +officers."</p> +<p class="pnext">Wherein Leslie was correct. Years ago Skipper +Cottenham had fallen foul of the +lieutenant-in-charge of a revenue cutter, and the memory of +the meeting still rankled.</p> +<p class="pnext">After lunch Leslie made his way to the quay, +returning in an hour's time with the information +that Old Garge didn't object (he was not over +anxious to avail himself of a supposed amateur's +offer of assistance), and that the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em> would cast +off at seven o'clock that evening.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clad in an old pair of serge trousers and a +brown sweater, and carrying an oilskin coat that, +despite the maker's guarantee, stuck tenaciously +wherever it was folded, the sub accompanied +his wildly-excited brother to the steps, where +a boat was in readiness to convey them to the smack.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the boat was a freckled, chubby-faced, +flaxen-haired youngster of about thirteen, whom Leslie +introduced to his brother as Tim, great-grandson +of the owner and master of the registered +fishing-boat <em class="italics">Fidelity</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em> lying?" enquired the sub, +after the youngster had sculled the heavy boat for +nearly two hundred yards.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Down Stakes," was the mysterious reply. +"Us'll see her in a minute or so, when us gets +round t'bend."</p> +<p class="pnext">Working the long single oar vigorously, and +aided by the strong ebb tide, Tim quickly urged +the heavy boat along.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There he be," he announced. "Third in the +row from here."</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton looked in the direction indicated. The +fishing-fleet was already making preparations for +a start. Most of the boats had their mainsails set. +Two or three had already slipped moorings, and +were gliding down the main channel under the lee +of the wooded Brownsea Island.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the practised eye of a true seaman, the sub +realized that, in spite of her sombre garb of grey +paint, mottled with tar marks, the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em> was +"all a boat".</p> +<p class="pnext">With a sharp entry and fine run aft, noticeable +despite the squat stern and heavy transom, the +smack showed every promise of speed combined +with stiffness. Built with a view of encountering +the short steep seas of Poole Bar, she was typical +of the weatherly boats that have justly earned a +splendid reputation for seaworthiness.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Evenin'!" was Old Garge's greeting. "Come +aboard. Look alive, Tim, an' make fast the boat's +painter. Then do 'ee cast off. There's Bill +Moggridge an' Peter Wilson under way already. Us +mustn't let 'em get across t' Bar ahead of the +<em class="italics">Fidelity</em>."</p> +<p class="pnext">Quickly, as the result of much practice, young +Tim cast off the heavy mooring-chain from the +bitts, and trimmed the head-sails. Heeling slightly +to the light south-westerly breeze the smack gathered +way, leaving hardly a ripple in her wake as she +glided almost noiselessly through the calm water.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub revelled in the movement. Vividly it +recalled long-past days in the <em class="italics">Britannia's</em> cutters, +racing in the landlocked estuary of the Dart. +Since then opportunities for fore-and-aft sailing +had been few and far between. Contrasted with the +terrific vibration of a swiftly moving destroyer, the +gentle movement was peaceful and soothing.</p> +<p class="pnext">A short spell of close-hauled work, as the smack +tacked towards the entrance, was followed by a run, +full and by, down the buoyed channel to the bar +buoy. From the heights above Studland a stiff +breeze swept down, causing the water to foam at +the <em class="italics">Fidelity's</em> sharp stem.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That be good!" ejaculated Old Garge. "Us +be overtakin' them," and he nodded in the +direction of the two boats that were still leading by +less than a cable's length. "Wind'll drop afore +long, I's afraid."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It will go down with the sun," said Sefton. +"But we'll get the first of the east-going tide +outside."</p> +<p class="pnext">The skipper of the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em> stared at his guest. +Already he had come to the conclusion that the +tall bronzed young fellow was no mere landlubber. +The sub's deliberate pronunciation of the word +"tackle" during a previous conversation had told +him that.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Patrol," announced the skipper laconically, +indicating a steam trawler as she rounded the +detached chalk pinnacle known as "Old Harry". +"She's there to keep Garmin submarines away, +you know. Ever seen a Garmin submarine, mister?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have you?" enquired Sefton, countering the +old fellow's curiosity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Only one, and 'er was no good to nobody," +replied Old Garge. "They sunk 'er away down +Christchurch Bay. Seed the navy chaps a-getting +her up, only the patrol boat ordered me away. +That was away back last summer. Since then they +submarines 'ave given this part a wide berth."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'd like to see one getting properly strafed," +declared Leslie. "What would you do, Jack, if +one showed its nose up just now?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Chuck it," ejaculated the sub good-humouredly. +"We're supposed to be on the way to the fishing-ground, +not chasing U boats. Hallo! There's +The Needles Light."</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the sun had set in a haze of vivid +crimson. Against the dark grey of the eastern +sky, the coastwise lights of The Needles and +St. Catherine's were beginning to assert their presence +in the rapidly waning twilight. Contrary to +expectation the breeze still held, although under the +shadow of Hengistbury Head, bearing three miles +to the nor'ard, a number of fishing-craft lay +completely becalmed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Evenin', Peter!" shouted Old Garge cordially, +as the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em> drew ahead of the hitherto leading +boat. Peter waved his arm in reply. His response +was not so cordial, seeing that his boat had been +outstripped, greatly to the glee of Leslie and young Tim.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the next quarter of an hour all hands were +busily engaged in paying out the nets. Then, +under triced-up mainsail, the smack floundered +slowly through the water, towing the length of +fishing-gear astern.</p> +<p class="pnext">The first haul produced very indifferent results. +Leslie began to think that it was poor sport, since +the catch consisted of less than a dozen medium-sized +whiting and a couple of small bass. Nor did +the second cast fare much better.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Tes this east'ly wind we've a-been havin' that's +done the mischief," explained the skipper of the +<em class="italics">Fidelity</em>. "I thought when it veered we'd be in +luck. Howsomever, we'll have another shot."</p> +<p class="pnext">Again the nets were paid out, and the smack, +hampered with her tow, stood off in the direction +of the distant St. Catherine's Light.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mighty slow, isn't it?" confided Leslie to his +brother. "Wish Old Garge would up nets and +make for home. Sailing's all right, but this almost +bores me stiff."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Patience!" rejoined Sefton. "This is your +choice. How would you care to go fishing for +months, blow high, blow low? No matter whether +it be summer or winter, you've got to go on +fishing--fishing for a brute that will bite you pretty hard +at the first favourable opportunity."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You mean submarines?" asked the lad. "I +should like to see one. It must be fine sport."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not on board this hooker, though," added the +sub. "Give me something that can hit back."</p> +<p class="pnext">Force of habit made the young officer glance to +windward. He would not have been altogether +surprised had a pair of twin periscopes appeared +above the surface of the moonlit water. After all, +he reflected, there wasn't much chance of that. +The fishing-ground was well out of the recognized +steamer tracks. A U boat, especially in the +English Channel, where she ran an almost momentary +risk of destruction, would not waste time over the +shallow Dolphin Bank to look for insignificant +fishing-smacks. Still, Hun submarines did erratic +things sometimes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the sub laughed at his fancies. The +possibility was so remote that he ridiculed the +suggestion.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Old Garge had disappeared under +the half-deck. A wreath of smoke from the dilapidated +iron chimney, and the banging of several iron +utensils, announced the fact that he was preparing +some sort of repast. Tim, mechanically sawing +the tiller to and fro, kept the smack on her course.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Fidelity</em> was now well to the east'ard of the +rest of the fleet. A couple of miles separated her +from the nearmost of the brown-sailed boats, whose +dark canvas showed up distinctly in the slanting +rays of the moon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're giving them the slip, aren't we?" enquired +Leslie, indicating the still busily engaged smacks.</p> +<p class="pnext">Tim glanced over his shoulder.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Granfer," he called out; "we'm a long way +down t' east'ard. Shall us up nets?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; you just carry on," replied Old Garge, his +voice muffled in the confined space. "I'll be with +you in a minute. I'm fair busy just now."</p> +<p class="pnext">Another half-hour passed, but the skipper still +remained out of sight. The wind had now dropped, +and the smack, with her main-sheet slacked right +off, floundered heavily, dipping her boom-end at +every roll. Already the day was breaking beyond +the chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight. Momentarily, +the search-lights from The Needles Channel +batteries were growing fainter in the grey dawn.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Isn't it grand!" exclaimed Leslie, inspired by +the sight of daybreak at sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub merely shrugged his shoulders. Untold +spells of duty as officer of the watch had made him +regard the spectacle with complete indifference.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the next instant Jack Sefton's lassitude fell +from him like a discarded mask, for, at less than +a hundred yards on the <em class="italics">Fidelity's</em> port quarter, +appeared the pole-like periscopes of a submarine.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xx-captured"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id21">CHAPTER XX--Captured</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">For a few seconds the optics of the submerged +craft remained trained upon the isolated smack. +Although the submarine was forging slowly ahead, +the periscopes rose no higher out of the water. +Evidently those in charge of the vessel were not +anxious to rise to the surface until they had +satisfied themselves that it was fairly safe to do so.</p> +<p class="pnext">His attention attracted by his brother's fixed +gaze, Leslie sprang to his feet and grasped the +weather shrouds.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's that, Jack?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What you wanted to see--a submarine."</p> +<p class="pnext">"One of ours?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hope so," replied the sub laconically; but he +had great misgivings on that score. Had it been +a British submarine making for Portsmouth, she +would almost certainly be running on the surface, +in order to make her number before approaching +the heavily-defended Needles channel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Wildly excited, Tim forgot that he was steering +and, putting the helm down, allowed the smack to +gybe "all standing". The thud of the heavy boom +as it swung across and brought up with a violent +jerk, had the effect of making Old Garge emerge +from the cuddy in a state of nautical profanity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What be you up to, you young lubber?" he shouted.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Submarine, granfer," replied his youthful relative.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No excuse for gybing," continued the skipper. +"Do you mind what you are up to. Where be she?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He shaded his eyes, expecting to see one of the +British "C" or "E" class running awash. +Instead, he saw only the tips of the periscopes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Drat it!" he ejaculated. "'Tain't for no good. +Anyways, we're too small for her to trouble about we."</p> +<p class="pnext">Apparently his conjectures were correct, for, with +a feather of white foam, and a sullen swirl well in +the wake of the periscope, the submarine +disappeared wholly from sight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Er's afeard of fouling our nets," declared Old +Garge. "Now, if we gives the patrol-boat notice, +an' that submarine is done for, there's fifty pun' at +least for me. A matter of a couple o' months back +my friend Peter----"</p> +<p class="pnext">But what happened to Peter was a story that Jack +Sefton was not permitted to hear, for with a quick, +unhesitating motion the submarine reappeared at +less than three cables' lengths ahead of the smack. +Shaking herself clear of the water, she displayed +the unmistakable outlines of a German <em class="italics">unterseeboot</em>, +although no number was visible on her +grey conning-tower.</p> +<p class="pnext">With remarkable celerity an officer and half a +dozen seamen appeared from below, while at the +same time a quick-firer was raised from its +"housing", for'ard of the conning-tower, and trained +upon the luckless <em class="italics">Fidelity</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Steadily the U boat approached within hailing +distance, then, making a half-circle, slowed down +on a parallel course to that of the smack.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fishing-boat ahoy!" shouted the German +officer. "Cut adrift your nets and run alongside, +or I'll have to sink you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Old Garge gave a gasp of astonishment and +looked enquiringly at Jack Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Them nets cost a sight o' money," he exclaimed +ruefully. "Now if I had a gun----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hurry, there!" came the stern mandate from the U boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You'll have to obey, I fancy," said the sub. +"There's no escape. Perhaps they'll let you off, +as the smack is only a very small one. If you give +them any lip they'll cut up rough."</p> +<p class="pnext">Deliberately Old Garge cut the trailing line of +nets, bent the outward part to a life-buoy and cast +it overboard. As he had remarked, nets were +expensive affairs, and he was not going to cut them +adrift without a means of recovering the gear +should the Huns let him off lightly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Back your head-sails, Tim!" ordered the +skipper, at the same time putting the helm hard +down and allowing the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em> to come up motionless +into the wind, within a couple of yards of the +bulging side of the U boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Throw us a line!" was the peremptory greeting.</p> +<p class="pnext">Agilely a fair-haired unter-leutnant boarded the +smack, followed by three of his men. Giving a +cursory glance at the fish-well, he said something +in German to one of the seamen. In less than +a minute the night's haul had been transferred to +the captor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Low-down robbers!" muttered Old Garge +under his breath, but the unter-leutnant caught the +imprecation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have a care," he said sternly, "or we sink +your boat. What these men? You carry a large +crew for a little ship, Captain."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They are my men," declared Old Garge loyally.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps," drawled the German, then, suddenly +turning, he strode up to Sefton and his brother.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold your hand out!" he ordered.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leslie sniggered. In his opinion the uniformed +Hun ought to have added the words "Naughty +boy". The lad was enjoying the novel experience. +His one regret was that George Crosthwaite was +not present to share in the adventure.</p> +<p class="pnext">Critically the unter-leutnant examined Jack's +extended hand. In spite of the fact that it was +discoloured with tar, and reeked of fish, the sub's +hand showed that it belonged to a person not of +the ordinary working class. The long, tapering +fingers, manicured nails, and absence of horny +protuberances on the palm "gave him away".</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is your name?" demanded the German.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Smith," replied Sefton promptly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Again the irritating, dubious, and speculative +"Per-haps". The sub realized that he was in a +tight corner.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What this wound--how caused?" enquired the +unter-leutnant, indicating the white scar on the +young officer's wrist--the legacy of the affair off +Jutland. "Ach! Shell wound, hein? You are of +military age. Stand aside."</p> +<p class="pnext">In spite of the brown jersey and the soiled serge +trousers, the keen-witted Hun had come to the +correct conclusion, that the tall, bronzed man was +not a genuine smack hand. Not satisfied with the +self-styled Smith's replies, he decided to interrogate +his companion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Your name?" he demanded of Leslie, with a +fierceness that effectually quenched all further +inclination on the part of the youth to snigger.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Smith, too," replied Leslie. "He's my brother."</p> +<p class="pnext">Again a display of palmistry. Leslie's hands, +though grubby, were also unmistakably unused +to rough work.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How old?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fifteen?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You lie."</p> +<p class="pnext">"On my word of honour," declared Leslie.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No matter," rejoined the unter-leutnant. "You +old enough to fight. Suppose----"</p> +<p class="pnext">A hail came from the U boat. Herr Kapitan +had mounted the platform in the wake of the +conning-tower and was calling attention to the +mist that was bearing down in detached patches. +Already the rest of the fishing-boats were lost to sight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You go on board there," continued the German +unter-leutnant, indicating the submarine. Then, +turning to Old Garge, he added:</p> +<p class="pnext">"We let you go. Too much trouble to sink +your little fischer-boat, and you have no skiff. +Stop here one hour. If you move or make signal, +then we return and blow you to pieces. You onderstan'?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Without condescending to notice Tim, who was +watching the course of events with wide-open eyes, +the unter-leutnant signalled to the two Seftons to +board the submarine. Then, followed by his men, +the Hun regained his own craft.</p> +<p class="pnext">A minute later, with Jack and Leslie prisoners of +war, the U boat slid quietly beneath the surface.</p> +<p class="pnext">Old Garge obeyed instructions until the tips of +the periscopes vanished. Then he began to gather +in the mainsheet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Trim your heads'ls, Tim," he ordered. "Us'll +be off as hard as we can."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How about the nets, grandfer?" asked Tim.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can bide," declared the old man as the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em>, +gathering way, sped to give the alarm that another +U boat had been active in the Channel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Three-quarters of an hour later, the smack ran +alongside one of the patrol-boats operating in +Christchurch Bay, and reported the incident. +Quickly the news was wirelessed, and a regular +fleet of swift motor-boats was soon upon the scene, +while overhead a couple of sea-planes hovered, +in the hope of detecting the shadow of the U boat +against the white sandy bottom.</p> +<p class="pnext">But in vain. The unter-leutnant's threat that +he purposed remaining in the vicinity for an hour +was a mere piece of bluff. Without loss of time, +the submarine was running at her maximum +submerged speed in a south-westerly direction, intent +upon putting as great a distance as possible +between her and the hornets whose activities had +already taken a heavy toll from these modern +pirates of the Black Cross Ensign.</p> +<p class="pnext">U99 was one of the most recent type of <em class="italics">unterseebooten</em>. +Possessing a great radius of action, she +combined the roles of mine-layer and submerged +torpedo-craft. She was one of nine detailed for +operations in the English Channel, and, since the +passage through the Straits of Dover had long been +regarded as "unhealthy" by the German Admiralty, +the flotilla had been ordered to proceed and return +via the Faroe Isles and the west coast of Ireland.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although the U99 had disposed of her cargo +of mines without mishap--several of the German +submarines having been "hoist with their own +petards"--her efforts had not met with marked +success. Beyond torpedoing a tramp, and sinking +another by gun-fire, she had failed to carry out the +work of frightfulness that had been expected of her. +Having exhausted her stock of torpedoes, and +making only one effective hit, she was on her way home.</p> +<p class="pnext">After three hours of terrible suspense, when she +found herself enmeshed in a net somewhere off the +back of the Wight--a predicament from which she +freed herself by means of the specially-devised +wire-cutters on her bows--U99 was forced to come up +for a breather early in the morning. Provisions +were running short, and the sight of the solitary +fishing-smack tempted her commander to investigate, +with the result that Sub-lieutenant Sefton and +his brother found themselves in the unenviable +position of prisoners in the hands of the enemy. +More, they were cooped up in a wretched U boat, +faced with the possibility of being hunted by their +fellow-countrymen and consigned to Davy Jones +in the undesirable company of a crew of piratical Huns.</p> +<p class="pnext">No wonder that Jack felt like kicking himself for +having embarked upon the ill-starred voyage in the +smack <em class="italics">Fidelity</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, by Jove!" he muttered. "Here's a pretty +kettle of fish--and the lid on with a vengeance."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxi-u99"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id22">CHAPTER XXI--U99</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">During the first hour of their captivity Jack Sefton +and his brother were left alone, locked in a narrow, +ill-lighted compartment in the after part of the +submarine. Overhead they could hear the ceaseless +clank of the steering-gear, while the crowded space +within the hull echoed to the noisy clatter of the +propelling machinery.</p> +<p class="pnext">Outwardly calm, the sub was raging furiously. +Yielding to his sense of discretion, and realizing +the importance of reassuring his young brother, he +made a brave show at keeping up his spirits. On +several occasions he had found himself in a tight +corner, but now there was the humiliation of being +captured in a most ignominious fashion, without +being able to raise a hand in self-defence.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Upon my word!" he remarked. "Really, +Leslie, you will have something to remember. +Experiences like this don't fall to the lot of many +youngsters, you know."</p> +<p class="pnext">"More exciting than that scrap on Blackstone," +rejoined Leslie. "Even George would have to +admit that. Makes a fellow feel quite bucked. But +what do they intend doing with us, I wonder?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Events will prove that," replied the sub gravely. +"Recollect that we have to conceal our identity as +much as possible. These chaps must not be allowed +to find out that I am a naval officer. Hark!"</p> +<p class="pnext">A rasping sound, as the bolt securing the door +was shot back, interrupted the conversation before +Sefton had time to mature his immediate plans. +The metal panel slid open and a petty officer +appeared and spoke rapidly in German.</p> +<p class="pnext">Drowned by the noise of the machinery, the words +were inaudible, but by the man's gestures the +prisoners clearly understood that they had to follow +him. Along a narrow, steel-enclosed passage, then +through a maze of intricate machinery, the sub and +his brother were conducted, until they found +themselves in a small cabin almost immediately underneath +the grating that formed the floor of the raised +conning-tower.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You will at once take off your clothes," ordered +the petty officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">At this unexpected command the brothers looked +at each other in surprise. The order could not be +ignored, despite its apparent inconsequence. +However unwilling to submit to the indignity, the +prisoners obeyed promptly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Under the stern glare of the German petty officer, +Jack Sefton stripped off his brown jersey, shirt, and +singlet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rough luck!" he muttered. "Now these +brutes will tumble to it; my name is marked on +each of these garments."</p> +<p class="pnext">Which was exactly what the Huns were intent +upon finding out, for, giving a keen glance at the +tell-tale lettering, the petty officer without waiting +for the rest of the disrobing process made his way aft.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton was not long left in doubt, for presently +an officer in uniform corresponding to that of a +lieutenant-commander entered the cabin.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So!" he exclaimed triumphantly, as he thumbed +the pages of a British Navy List. "We fine bag +have made. 'Sefton, John B. G.' That not the +same as Smith, hein?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub vouchsafed no remark. He felt horribly +humiliated by his position and by the easy manner +in which he had been bowled out. Also, he realized +that now the chances of the prisoners being set on +board a passing vessel had been entirely knocked +on the head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We take you back to Zhermany," continued +the kapitan of the submarine. "Day after +to-morrow we land you at Wilhelmshaven at exactly +nine o'clock."</p> +<p class="pnext">The day after to-morrow--at nine o'clock. That +would be Monday, and at that hour Sefton was due +for "divisions" at Portsmouth Naval Barracks. +The irony of his position ate into his soul.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If not, you will be a corpse at the bottom of the +sea," rejoined the German pointedly. "Now get +your clothes on, and take good care to yourselves +behave."</p> +<p class="pnext">The kapitan quitted the cabin, leaving Sefton and +his brother to resume their garments. This they +did in silence, for Leslie had noticed his brother's +despondency and chagrin.</p> +<p class="pnext">Except for the periods when they were ordered +forward for meals, the prisoners were left severely +alone. Of the passing of time they had but a +remote idea, since the sub had wisely left his watch +ashore before proceeding on the ill-starred trip in +the <em class="italics">Fidelity</em>. Certain it was that, for nearly twelve +hours, U99 remained submerged, running on her +electric power.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then she rose to the surface. The petrol engines +were coupled up, and at an increased speed the +submarine proceeded, in what direction Sefton had +no idea. Without means of consulting a compass, +and confined below, he was in total ignorance of the +vessel's course.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length, dead-tired, for neither of the twain had +slept the previous night, Jack and Leslie threw +themselves down on the floor. There was no need +for bedding. The heat of the confined space was +too oppressive for that. For a long while the sub +tossed uneasily on his hard couch, finally dropping +off into a fitful slumber.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was awakened by a seaman shaking him +vigorously. For some moments he was unable to +realize his surroundings. Sleeping in the hot and +almost fetid air had benumbed his brain. He felt +fuddled, his eyes seemed strained and dim, his +throat burned painfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">"On deck for exercise," ordered the man, +speaking in German.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sefton staggered to his feet, feeling stiff and +cramped in his limbs. Leslie was still asleep, and +when disturbed took even longer than his brother +to be fully aroused.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove," thought the sub, "if the crew are +all like this, early morn is the time to catch them +napping! Well, here goes."</p> +<p class="pnext">The two captives followed their jailer through an +oval-shaped hatchway, gaining the deck by means +of a steel ladder.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lounging on the long, narrow platform were +more than a dozen men, some stretched upon their +backs, others lying with their heads pillowed upon +their arms, but in every case one hand was +outstretched to grasp the stanchions. The precaution +was necessary, for the boat was floundering heavily +in the long, sullen rollers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instinctively Sefton gave a glance in the direction +of the sun. It was now broad daylight. The orb +of day, high in the heavens, betokened the fact that +it was approaching the hour of noon. By the +direction of the shadows cast upon the deck, it was now +apparent that the U boat's course was a little east +of north. Away on the starboard hand was a +seemingly interminable range of frowning cliffs, the +nearmost being but two or three miles distant. +They were the rock-bound shores of Donegal.</p> +<p class="pnext">Holding Leslie tightly by the arm, for the lad +was not accustomed to the Atlantic swell, Sefton +marched him up and down the deck between the +after end of the conning-tower and the stern. +Although the limited promenade was still further +curtailed by the prone bodies of the crew, the latter +paid no attention to the two prisoners.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the platform surrounding the conning-tower +was the unter-leutnant who had ordered their +arrest. Scanning the horizon with his binoculars, +he, too, seemed indifferent to the presence of the +two Englishmen. With him, and stationed at a +small wheel in the wake of a binnacle, was a +quartermaster. The conning-tower hatchway was +closed, owing possibly to the spray that literally +swept the fore part of the submarine, and was flung +high over the domed top of the "brain of the ship".</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where are we now?" asked Leslie.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Off the Irish coast," replied his brother.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wish one of our destroyers would put in an +appearance," remarked Leslie wistfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub made no audible reply. His views upon +the matter, based upon actual experience, told him +pretty plainly that the captain of a British war-ship +would not be likely to ascertain whether there were +compatriots on board the craft he purposed to +destroy. Also, there had been fully authenticated +cases of the Huns locking the prisoners down +below before they abandoned the sinking ship. +Sefton did not mind running legitimate risks in +action, but he had a strong objection to being +"done in" by British guns.</p> +<p class="pnext">His reveries were interrupted by a shrill whistle +from the conning-tower. Instantly the somnolent +men were roused into activity. In less than thirty +seconds Sefton and his brother were tumbled below, +the decks were cleared, and the hatches closed.</p> +<p class="pnext">By the inclination of the floor of the compartment +that served as a cell Sefton realized that the +U boat was diving. Almost at the same time there +was a muffled detonation as a 12-pounder shell, +fired from a destroyer at a distance of 7500 yards, +exploded immediately above the spot where the +submarine had disappeared.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good heavens, she holed!" ejaculated the sub, +as the U boat quivered and dipped to an alarming +angle. Momentarily he expected to hear, above +the rattle of the machinery, the irresistible inrush +of water and the shrieks of the doomed crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">But in this he was mistaken. The nearness of +the explosion of the shell had urged upon the +submarine's kapitan the necessity for haste. Thrusting +the diving-planes hard down, he caused the U boat +to dive with unusual abruptness, never bringing +the vessel upon an even keel until she had +descended to a depth of twelve fathoms.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rest of the day was passed in utter monotony +as far as the prisoners were concerned. Although +it was two hours before the U boat dared to expose +the tips of her periscopes above the surface, the +greater part of the day was spent in running submerged.</p> +<p class="pnext">Towards evening U99 ascended, and, altering +course, stood in pursuit of a small tramp. After +a short chase, for the former had the advantage of +15 knots in speed, the submarine approached +sufficiently near to be able to fire a shot close to her +quarry.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost immediately the tramp slowed down +and hoisted American colours. It did not take +U99 long to range up alongside, and the unterleutnant +and half a dozen seamen proceeded on board.</p> +<p class="pnext">The prize was a Yankee, bound from Boston to +Liverpool with a cargo of warlike stores. +According to arrangements, she should have been met +and escorted by a patrol vessel; but, although the +latter was hourly expected, something had occurred +to delay her.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll have to sink you," declared the German officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">The "old man"--a typical New Englander--shrugged +his shoulders.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wal, I reckon yer can," he replied coolly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You don't seem concerned by the fact."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not I, stranger. This hyer ship an' cargo is +jest insured up to the hilt in 'The Narragut Marine +Assurance Company'. An' since the bulk of the +shareholders are Huns--wal, I guess it's 'nuff said."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ach! Then I suppose I must let you go," +exclaimed the baffled German officer. "If you fall +in with any British war-vessels you might tell them +that we have two Englishmen on board."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Maybe you'd care to let us give 'em a passage?" +hazarded the Boston skipper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If that had been our intention we should have +done so without asking a favour," rejoined the +unter-leutnant.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps you would care to examine the ship's +papers?" enquired the master. His keen eyes had +detected a small, swiftly moving object on the +horizon--the expected patrol boat. Cap'n Hiram +Goslow, although a tough Republican, was quite +in sympathy with the Allies. On previous voyages +he had fallen foul of the Huns, and the treatment +he had received still rankled. "Maybe you aren't +quite satisfied about the 'Narragut Marine Assurance +Company' stunt?"</p> +<p class="pnext">For the next half-minute the fate of U99 with +all on board trembled in the balance. The +unterleutnant, only too pleased to have the opportunity +of finding a flaw in Captain Goslow's statement, +was about to accept the invitation, when a warning +shout from the kapitan of the U boat brought the +boarding-party scrambling on board with the utmost +alacrity.</p> +<p class="pnext">To the accompaniment of a chorus of jeers and +laughter from the American crew, the submarine +submerged and was lost to sight.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although Jack Sefton and his brother were in +ignorance of the precise nature of the meeting with +the tramp and the imperturbable Captain Goslow, +they knew by the unwonted noises and the shutting-down +of the motors that something had transpired. +The sudden closing of the hatchways, and the +hasty dive taken, told the sub that once again the +ceaseless vigilance of the British navy had been +responsible for a bad quarter of an hour for the Germans.</p> +<p class="pnext">The kapitan's boast to the effect that his prisoners +would be landed at Wilhelmshaven at nine o'clock +was an empty one. Wildly exciting moments, when +the U boat found herself foul of a maze of steel nets, +delayed her progress, until at length U99 arrived +at a position forty-five miles N.N.W. of Heligoland.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here a wireless message was received, the +purport of which was not hailed with any degree of +enthusiasm by the weary and almost exhausted +crew. They were on the point of completing a +fortnight's cruise of strenuous discomfort, physical +exertion, and mental strain. Now, instead of +proceeding to Wilhelmshaven for a period of recuperation, +they were ordered to make for a certain +rendezvous and await the submarine depot-ship <em class="italics">Kondor</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Officers and crew knew what this meant. Heavy +losses amongst the German <em class="italics">unterseebooten</em> flotillas +had necessitated the U99 being pressed into an +extension of present service. She was to replenish +stores and torpedoes, and to be attached to the +submarine flotilla operating with the High Seas Fleet. +Evidently another big movement was contemplated +in the North Sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">Something had to be done to bolster up the +rapidly crumbling tissue of lies by which the +German Admiralty had gulled the Teutonic world. +Never in the history of naval warfare had a +victorious fleet been compelled to remain inactive in +its home ports beyond the period necessary for +revictualling, replenishing of warlike stores, and +making defects good. Nine weeks or more had +elapsed since the glorious victory off Jutland, and +still the Hun fleet clung tenaciously to its +moorings. Even the fat-headed burghers who frequented +the <em class="italics">bier-gartens</em> of Berlin began to realize that the +crushing defeat of the British in the North Sea had +not resulted in any increase of provisions or in the +abolition of the hated food tickets.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a fly in the ointment. Steps had to +be taken to counteract its baneful influence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost in desperation, several German Dreadnoughts, +accompanied by light cruisers and +destroyers, emerged from the Heligoland Bight. +Amongst them were the <em class="italics">Westfalen</em> and <em class="italics">Nassau</em>, +sister ships, whose scars received in the Jutland +fight had been hurriedly patched up in the +Wilhelmshaven dockyards. Escorted by several +Zeppelins, the Hun fleet steamed westward--not to give +battle, but to make an attempt to copy Beatty's +incomparable strategy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Night was falling when U99 made fast alongside +the <em class="italics">Kondor</em>. She was not alone. In the vicinity +were a dozen or more <em class="italics">unterseebooten</em> of a similar +type, awaiting wireless orders from the giant +airship that was scouting fifty miles or so in the +direction of the shores of Great Britain.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Up on deck!" ordered the petty officer in +whose particular charge the two Seftons had been placed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sub and his brother obeyed promptly. Had +they lingered, their movements would have been +accelerated by a kick from the Hun's heavy sea-boot.</p> +<p class="pnext">The transformation from the artificially-lighted +compartment to the rapidly gathering night made +it impossible for Sefton to take in his surroundings +until his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. At +first he was under the impression that the +submarine was berthed in harbour, until he discerned +the towering outlines of the sea-going depot-ship +and the absence of wharves and buildings.</p> +<p class="pnext">Far away to the eastward the horizon was streaked +with the rapidly-moving search-lights of a large +fleet. The skyward-directed rays were a direct +challenge to Beatty's squadrons. In unlike +conditions to those of the Jutland battle, the Huns +made no attempt to steal off under cover of +darkness. They had a set purpose in exposing their +position to the British fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove!" exclaimed Sefton. "The Huns are +out again. What's the game this time?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He glanced westward, half expecting to see the +misty outlines of the Grand Fleet silhouetted against +the last faint streak of crimson on the horizon, but +the sky-line was unbroken.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hurry, pigs of Englishmen!" ordered the +German petty officer, indicating a "Jacob's ladder" +that hung from the side of the <em class="italics">Kondor</em>. "We have +had enough of you. Soon you will see----" He +stopped abruptly, fearing that his words might be +overheard by the grim kapitan of the submarine.</p> +<p class="pnext">Agilely Leslie ascended the swaying rope-ladder, +the sub following close behind in case the +inexperienced lad should lose his hold. But young +Sefton acquitted himself wonderfully. The Huns +had no chance of a laugh at his expense.</p> +<p class="pnext">Contrary to their expectations, the two prisoners +were not conducted below. With an armed +seaman standing behind them they were stationed on +the raised poop, from whence they could see as +much of the operations as the feeble light permitted.</p> +<p class="pnext">Promptly hoses were coupled up, pumping +volumes of petrol into U99's tanks. Fully charged +accumulators were hoisted out and lowered down +the submarine's after hatchway, while the for'ard +hatch was opened to receive a dozen large +torpedoes closely approaching the British 21-inch +weapons.</p> +<p class="pnext">At midnight a wireless operator handed the +kapitan of the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> a message, the text of which +caused the officer to issue a string of orders. +Quickly the hawsers securing the submarine to the +depot-ship were cast off, and U99, forging slowly +ahead, picked up her station in line with the rest +of the flotilla. Then, at a given signal, the +submarines proceeded in a north-westerly direction, +while the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> steamed toward the invisible +German battleships.</p> +<p class="pnext">At this stage of the proceedings, Sefton and his +brother were ordered below, and placed in a cell on +the orlop deck, twelve feet or more below the +waterline. In utter darkness, for even the luxury of a +single light was denied them, they sat, listening to +the plash of the waves against the side, until sleep +came as a welcome relief to the strain of the day.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several times the sub awoke with a start. A +nightmare gripped him. Normally strong nerved, +the cramped and dark cell, and the almost certain +fate that awaited him should the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> be sunk, +filled him with vague terrors. In vain he tried to +rally himself. The ordeal of the shell-swept bridge +of the <em class="italics">Calder</em> seemed as naught compared with the +gruesome atmosphere of the below-water-line prison.</p> +<p class="pnext">The hours wore on, but the unexpected torpedo +attack was not forthcoming. No thunder of guns +broke the almost uncanny silence. No longer the +waves dashed themselves against the side plating +of the hull. Only a sullen, rolling motion and the +faint tremor of the twin propeller shafting betokened +the fact that the vessel was still under way.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxii-the-british-submarines-at-work"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id23">CHAPTER XXII--The British Submarines at Work</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">A succession of long-drawn hoarse cheering +aroused both Seftons from their light sleep. Leslie's +outstretched hands came in contact with his brother's +face, for, in the utter darkness, only the senses of +touch and speech made the twain aware of each +other's presence.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's that noise, Jack?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Only the crew getting excited about something," +replied the sub inconsequently. At the +same time, he felt pretty certain that something in +the nature of a successful naval engagement had +been responsible for the outburst of noisy +enthusiasm on the part of the German crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was not left long in doubt, for the door of the +cell was thrown open and a seaman bearing a +lantern ordered the prisoners to follow him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Arriving on the upper deck, the sub discovered +that the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> had undergone a transformation. +Everything that denoted her part as a fleet auxiliary +had disappeared. Aft she flew Swedish colours, +and a distinctive band encircled her wall sides, with +the words: "Gefle--Sverige" conspicuously +displayed. Most of the crew had discarded their +German uniform, and were rigged out in the +cosmopolitan gear usually favoured by merchant seamen.</p> +<p class="pnext">The crew had ceased cheering, but by their +bearing it was quite evident that they were still +labouring under the excitement of good news.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pointing to a notice pinned to a board on the +main hatchway, around which several men still +lingered, the seaman, who had been told off to +guard the prisoners, indicated that his charges +should acquaint themselves with the information.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's it all about, Jack?" asked Leslie.</p> +<p class="pnext">The message was the copy of a wireless report to +the effect that German submarines had been +successful in torpedoing two British cruisers of the +"Chatham" class.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you think it's true?" asked young Sefton +anxiously, when the sub had translated the report.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It may be a case of exaggeration," was the +reply. "Of course, it is possible. At any rate, +don't let these fellows see we are down-hearted. +Keep a stiff upper lip, old sport."</p> +<p class="pnext">Turning their backs upon the distasteful notice-board, +the two prisoners strolled to the side, their +guard following but making no attempt to prevent them.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Kondor</em> was not alone. About two miles on +the starboard hand, and steaming rapidly, were the +two Dreadnoughts that Sefton had noticed on the +previous day. Behind were three light cruisers, +while, still farther astern, six sea-going +torpedo-boats were tearing along in that close formation +beloved of German torpedo-flotilla officers.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the flagship passed, she threw out a signal to +the disguised <em class="italics">Kondor</em>, which was quickly acknowledged. +At the relative rates of speed, it was certain +that the battleships were overhauling the pseudo +<em class="italics">Gefle</em> hand over fist.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sub-lieutenant Sefton was witnessing part of +the strategy of the German High Seas Fleet. It +had ventured out with the express intention of +luring Beatty's squadron in pursuit, knowing that +the gallant Beatty would not decline the challenge. +But, with admirable discretion, the British admiral +made no effort to send the swift battle-cruisers in +pursuit, merely contenting himself by ordering the +light cruisers and destroyer flotillas to keep in touch +with the retreating Huns.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were risks of mines and torpedoes, but +these were unavoidable. By keeping well out of +the wake of the German ships, the danger of +bumping over a hastily dropped mine was obviated, +while a quick use of the helm would enable the +swift cruisers to minimize the chances of successful +submarine attack.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the early hours, the British light-cruisers and +destroyers encountered the <em class="italics">unterseebooten</em> +purposely detailed by von Hipper to intercept the +pursuing vessels. Three, at least, of the German +submarines were sent to the bottom by gun-fire or +by use of the ram; but, unfortunately, the +<em class="italics">Falmouth</em> and <em class="italics">Nottingham</em> fell victims to torpedo +attack.</p> +<p class="pnext">Even as Sefton was watching the retreating +warships, a column of water was thrown high in the air +close to the port quarter of the German Dreadnought +<em class="italics">Westfalen</em>. Before the muffled roar of the +explosion was borne to his ears, the sub saw the +huge battleship reel under the terrific blow.</p> +<p class="pnext">Regardless of the consequences, he cheered +lustily; but, thrown into a state of consternation by +the magnitude of the disaster to one of their capital +ships, the crew of the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> made no attempt to +hurl the rash Englishman to the deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">Spellbound, they watched the throes of the +stricken Dreadnought, to whose assistance the six +German destroyers were making at full speed. As +for the rest of the German battleships and cruisers, +they steamed off as hard as they could, lest a like +fate should befall them.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Kondor</em> slowed down and stood by, making +no effort to close to the aid of the torpedoed ship, +while two destroyers circled aimlessly in a vain +search for the daring British submarine.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, very slowly, under her own steam, the +<em class="italics">Westfalen</em>, with a heavy list, crawled toward the +distant German shore, the four destroyers in her +wake ready to rush alongside, and rescue the +battleship's crew, should the vessel founder.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Think they'll get her back to port?" Leslie +asked excitedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Fraid so," replied his brother. "She shows +no signs of an increasing list. A lot depends upon +the condition of her bulkheads. When the +<em class="italics">Marlborough</em>----"</p> +<p class="pnext">Before the sub could complete the sentence, +another cloud of smoke and water shot up +alongside the damaged battleship. Lurching heavily, +this time to starboard, the <em class="italics">Westfalen</em> was hidden +from sight by a dense volume of steam and smoke +from her engine-rooms.</p> +<p class="pnext">The attacking submarine had evidently meant to +see the job done properly. Mindful of the risk of +being sent to the bottom by the attendant German +destroyers, the British craft had stealthily exposed +her periscope for a brief instant, yet sufficient for +her to send a deadly torpedo on its errand of +destruction.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the crew of the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> had come to +the conclusion that their prisoners had seen much +more than was desirable. Peremptorily Jack and +Leslie were ordered below. The latter, unable to +restrain his delight, pointed mockingly at the +boastful writing on the notice-board, receiving a +brutal kick on his shins for his temerity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't mind, Jack," remarked Leslie, when, left +alone by their captors, the sub examined the angry +abrasion on his brother's leg. "I'd let them give +me another hack without a murmur if I could see +another German battleship go the same way home."</p> +<p class="pnext">After a long interval, a meal consisting of very +dry tinned meat and hunks of black bread was +provided for the famished prisoners, the unpalatable +food being washed down with a pannikin of warm +and insipid water.</p> +<p class="pnext">The unappetizing repast over, the two prisoners +were again allowed on deck. By this time there +were no signs either of the stricken battleship or +her attendant destroyers. The <em class="italics">Kondor</em>, alone on +the wide North Sea, was steaming at about 12 knots +on an easterly course. The rest of the crew had by +now discarded their German uniforms. There was +nothing to denote that the vessel had ever sailed +under the Black Cross Ensign of the Imperial German Navy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly, and right in the frothing wake of the +<em class="italics">Kondor</em>, appeared two pole-like objects--the +periscopes of a submarine. Then, without the hesitancy +generally displayed by <em class="italics">unterseebooten</em> when about +to attack a merchantman, a British submarine of the +"E" class shook her conning-tower and deck clear +of the water. Her hatches were flung open, and a +number of duffel-clad seamen appeared. Quickly +a light signalling-mast was set up, from which two +flags fluttered in the breeze.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no mistaking the meaning of that +yellow square flag with the black ball, hoisted above +a triangular blue pennant with a white spot. As +plainly as if a shot had been fired across the +<em class="italics">Kondor's</em> bows, the signal "ID" told her to "stop +instantly or I will fire into you". Besides, it saved +ammunition, and the lieutenant-commander of the +submarine did not consider the prize worth powder +and shot.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the German skipper was not a man to own +that the game was up without making an effort to +save himself and his ship. A stumbling-block in +his way was Jack Sefton and his brother.</p> +<p class="pnext">At a sign four burly Huns threw themselves upon +the prisoners. For a full minute the sub resisted +stoutly, while Leslie put up a tough struggle against +odds. Others of the crew came to their compatriots' +aid, and, still struggling, the two captives were taken +below and locked in the cell in the for'ard hold.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiii-and-last"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id24">CHAPTER XXIII--And Last</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"There's a bit of a dust-up on board, sir," reported +Sub-lieutenant Devereux of Submarine E--, as the +British craft steadily overhauled the <em class="italics">Kondor</em>, whose +engines had already been stopped in response to the +peremptory signal. "Fellows scrapping like billy-ho. +I can just see their heads at intervals above +the taffrail."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They can scrap as much as they like while they +have the chance," remarked Lieutenant-Commander +Huxtable grimly. "You know your instructions, +Mr. Devereux? Any rumpus, then signal us, and +we'll give them our last torpedo."</p> +<p class="pnext">A canvas collapsible boat had been brought up +from below, and in this the boarding-officer and +five seamen, all armed, took their places. Both the +<em class="italics">Kondor</em> and the submarine were almost without way, +lying at two cables'-lengths apart, E--'s two +quick-firers covering the prize as the boat made for the +German vessel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Devereux was received with well-feigned affability +by the soi-disant Swedish skipper, a politeness that +the sub thought fit to reciprocate, at least for the +present.</p> +<p class="pnext">But when Devereux had examined the supposed +<em class="italics">Gefle's</em> papers his manner underwent a change.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks for letting me see them, Herr Kapitan," +he remarked, "but now I must ask you to order +your crew below and consider yourself a prisoner of +war. I warn you that at any attempt at resistance +your ship will be sent to the bottom."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But----," began the astonished Hun. "I--I +do not understand. This Swedish merchant-ship. +You mistake make."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps," drawled the sub. "If I have, I'll +take full responsibility. If you can satisfactorily +explain to the British naval authorities why you +were surrounded by Hun submarines yesterday, +why you supplied them with munitions of war, why +you were then His Imperial Majesty's ship <em class="italics">Kondor</em>, +and why you are now the s.s. <em class="italics">Gefle</em>----."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Donnerwetter!" ejaculated the German skipper +furiously, then, before Devereux could interpose, he +dashed out of the chart-house and shouted to one of +the officers stationed aft.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost immediately a muffled explosion was +heard, and the <em class="italics">Kondor</em>, giving a violent shudder, +began to settle by the stern. Rather than +surrender, their captain had given orders for a bomb +to be exploded in the after hold.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We have cheated you, Englishman!" he +exclaimed in a shrill falsetto.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a wild rush for the boats. Hastily +those in davits were lowered, with the result that +one was capsized, while in the confusion a German +seaman leapt headlong into the submarine's +collapsible boat and overturned it.</p> +<p class="pnext">To do him credit, the kapitan made no attempt +to quit the bridge. Regarding the British officer +with a leer of triumph, he waited while the +panic-stricken men got clear of the doomed ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, having witnessed the swamping of +her dinghy, E--had approached with the intention +of taking off her boarding-party.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's that?" exclaimed Devereux, as, during +a temporary lull in the clamour, the sound of a +voice appealing for help was borne to his ears. The +words were shouted in unmistakable English.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Someone cooped up down below, sir," declared +one of the submarine's crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">Devereux looked enquiringly at the German +skipper of the <em class="italics">Kondor</em>. The latter too had heard +the shout. The self-assurance and air of +contemptuous indifference faded instantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You murderous swine!" ejaculated the sub. +"What dirty game have you been up to? Come +along down below with me."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Hun, trembling violently, clung desperately +to the bridge rail. The risk of going below and +being taken down by the sinking ship was nothing +compared with the fear of a just retribution.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not a suitable occasion for arguing the +point. Devereux, a huge, loose-limbed fellow, was +a giant beside the little, podgy Hun.</p> +<p class="pnext">Wrenching the kapitan's hand from the rail, +Devereux dropped him to the deck like a sack of +flour, then, skipping down the bridge ladder, he +picked him up and carried him, screaming and +struggling, down the companion.</p> +<p class="pnext">Guided by the sounds, the sub bore his captive +for'ard, two of the submarine's crew following their +youthful officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already the stern of the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> was almost level +with the water, while her decks inclined at a steep +angle. Above the noise of the inrushing water and +the hiss of escaping steam, could be heard the now +frantic appeal for help.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the door of the cell Devereux was confronted +by a grave problem. The place was locked, and +the kapitan, asserting truthfully that he did not +possess a key, was clamouring incoherently that +the mistake in overlooking the fact that there were +prisoners below was not his, but that of some of +his subordinates.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand aside there!" shouted Devereux to the +inmates of the cell.</p> +<p class="pnext">Whipping out his revolver he sent a bullet crashing +through the lock, then, heedless of the cry of +agony that came from the German skipper, he +charged the splintered door with his shoulder.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the half light he was dimly aware that two +people were scrambling between the debris.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any more?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," was the reply, as the two rescued men, +assisted by the sailors, reeled along the sloping +alley-way to the ladder.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having seen the would-be victims of German +<em class="italics">Kultur</em> safely on their way to the upper deck, +Devereux realized that it was quite time to make +good his own escape, for the water was beginning +to surge for'ard along the sombre orlop deck. As +he turned to make his way aft he became aware +that the kapitan, moaning dismally, was staggering +in the opposite direction, whence there was no +outlet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where are you off to, you blithering idiot?" +shouted the young officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a couple of strides he overtook the Hun, +gripped him round the waist, and carried him on +deck. Then, to his surprise, Devereux found that +the kapitan's face was streaming with blood. A +sliver of lead from the bullet that had demolished +the lock of the cell had struck him in the right eye, +completely destroying the optic nerve.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't say I feel sorry for you," thought the +sub-lieutenant, recollections of the cold-blooded +cruelty of the Hun vividly in his mind. Nevertheless, +still holding the injured skipper, he leapt +overboard, whither the rest of the boarding-party +had preceded him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Strong as he was, Devereux had a hard tussle to +swim to the submarine. Caught by vicious eddies, +swirled to and fro like a straw on the surface of a +mountain torrent, he was almost exhausted when +hauled into safety.</p> +<p class="pnext">Giving a glance over his shoulder as he was +assisted to the deck of his own craft, Devereux +saw that the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> was making her last plunge. +Throwing her bluff bows high in the air, she +disappeared in a smother of foam and a pall of black +smoke mingled with steam.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, to his surprise, upon going aft to report to +his commanding officer, Devereux found Huxtable +shaking, like a pump-handle, the hand of one of +the men he had rescued.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove!" exclaimed the astonished Devereux. +"Blest if we haven't----! Why, it's Sefton!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Guilty, m'lud!" replied that worthy.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And Crosthwaite--he wasn't on that hooker?" +asked Devereux anxiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, thank heaven," replied Sefton fervently. +"He's still in hospital. This is my young brother. +I've got to blame him for this business, the young +rascal. It was a narrow squeak for the pair of us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was," assented Huxtable gravely. "We +spotted the <em class="italics">Kondor</em> yesterday and kept her under +observation."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then you bagged that Hun battleship?" enquired Sefton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, worse luck," replied the lieutenant-commander +of E--. "She altered helm just as we +were having a shot at her, and some other fellows +did the trick. Mustn't complain, though. We are +all members of the same co-operative society in the +trade. The <em class="italics">Kondor's</em> crew? A few hours in the boats +won't hurt them, and I'll wireless our destroyers. +They are too villainous a crew to slip out of our +hands. Come below, old man, and we'll rig the +pair of you out in dry kit. With luck, you ought +to be in Pompey again within twenty-four hours."</p> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Pacing the diminutive quarter-deck of +H.M.T.B.D. <em class="italics">Boanerges</em>, as she swung to the first of the +flood-tide, were two naval officers. It was too dark +to distinguish their features, even in the red glow +of their cigarettes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Three months had elapsed since the desperate +struggle on Blackstone Edge. The <em class="italics">Boanerges</em>, a +brand-new destroyer recently delivered from the +Clyde, had just commissioned at Portsmouth for +service with the Grand Fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My dear Boxspanner," remarked the taller of +the twain, "I've come to the conclusion that life +ashore isn't worth the candle. In common +parlance, I'm fed up. The last straw is the abominable +petrol tax. Just fancy, the blighters allow me two +gallons a month----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You weren't on leave for more than three weeks, +Pills," interrupted the engineer-lieutenant.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just so; that's the rub. I could have done +with a three months' allowance, and used the lot +in a week. By the way, talking of that new +carburetter----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Boat ahoy!" came a hoarse hail from the +fo'c'sle as the lynx-eyed look-out detected a dark +object approaching under oars towards the destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Aye, aye!" was the orthodox reply, given in +clear, decisive tones.</p> +<p class="pnext">The boat was brought smartly alongside the +accommodation-ladder, and a young officer came +briskly over the side. Jack Sefton, "sub" no +longer but a full-fledged "luff", as the two gold +rings, surmounted by a curl, on each of his sleeves +denoted.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well?" enquired Boxspanner eagerly. "Have +you seen Crosthwaite?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Saw him this afternoon," was the reply. +"Passed the medical board with flying colours. +He's reported fit for duty on the 8th."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good business!" ejaculated Stirling fervently.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And," continued Sefton, "I'm in the know. +Our owner's due for promotion. He'll be given +a light cruiser; and unless I'm very much +mistaken we'll have Crosthwaite as our skipper before +long."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Quartermaster!" said Sefton, as he turned to +descend the companion-ladder.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sir," replied that worthy, already known to our +readers as Thomas Brown, A.B., but now a +promising petty officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"See that I am turned out at 5.45."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Aye, aye, sir."</p> +<p class="pnext">The three officers disappeared below. The +quartermaster smiled grimly as the faint words of +the chorus of "They don't run corridor cars on our +branch line" caught his ear, followed by an +emphatic "Chuck it, old bird."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Proper jonnick they are, every mother's son of +'em," muttered P.O. Brown, as he walked for'ard. +"Chaps as us fellows would go through 'ell with, +if we ain't done so already," his thought reverting +to that memorable action in the North Sea when +the Huns fled before Jellicoe's armed might.</p> +<p class="pnext">And thus we say "Adieu," or perhaps "Au +revoir," to three gallant gentlemen who had so +worthily played their parts in upholding the +honour of the White Ensign with Beatty off Jutland.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> +<div class="backmatter"> +</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39489 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |