Twelve months later, on September 15th, 1919, there was an interesting sequel on board the _Carmania_, which had then returned to the Cunard Company’s service. A piece of plate which belonged to Lord Nelson, and was with him at Trafalgar, was presented to the ship in commemoration of her very gallant fight. Twenty-four of these pieces of plate came into the possession of the Navy League who asked the Admiralty to allocate them to various ships. The _Carmania_ was the only merchant vessel to receive this honour. In notifying the Company of the presentation, the General Secretary of the Navy League stated that “the Navy League realises that while every unit of the fleet has rendered service in accordance with the best traditions of the Royal Navy, _H.M.S. Carmania_ has been able to render herself conspicuous amongst her gallant comrades, and in accepting this souvenir, the Navy League trusts that you will recognise it as an expression of gratitude to the glorious fleet of which that ship was so distinguished a representative.” The veteran Admiral, the Hon. E. R. Fremantle who was present, stated that there never was a single ship action which reflected greater credit, both on the R.N. and on the Mercantile Marine, and more especially on the R.N.R. It had very aptly been compared with the fight of the _Shannon_ and the _Chesapeake_. [Illustration: “CARMANIA” SINKING “CAP TRAFALGAR”] Captain Grant was unfortunately unable to be present, but in a letter read at the function he claimed that “this action was the only one throughout the war in which an equal, or as a matter of fact, a slightly inferior vessel annihilated the superior force.... I shall always feel proud of the fact that it was my great good fortune to command a ship in action in which the glorious traditions of the British Navy were upheld by every soul on board.” Captain Barr, who retired from the Company’s service in 1917, said that the Captain of the _Cap Trafalgar_ put up a very gallant fight. “I do not know his name,” he said, “but he is the only German I would care to meet.” CHAPTER III Carrying On _The lofty liners in their pride Stem every current, every tide: At anchor in all ports they ride._ _The menace of the berg and floe, The blindness of the fog and snow. All these the English seamen know._ _And still they calmly jog along By Bay and Cape, an endless throng. As endless as some dog-watch song._ MORLEY ROBERTS.