To Mr. Ellery Sedgwick of the _Atlantic Monthly_, under whose colours I had the honour to make my journalistic cruise, I am indebted for more friendly help, counsel and encouragement than I shall ever be able to repay. And I shall not easily forget the kindly offices and unfailing hospitality of Captain Luke C. Doyle of Washington, D.C., and Mr. Sidney A. Mitchell of the London Committee of the United States Food Administration. Lucky is the correspondent sent to the Navy! H. B. B. TOPSFIELD AND QUINCY, 1919 CONTENTS Preface I An Heroic Journey II Into the Dark III Friend or Foe? IV Running Submerged V The Return of the Captains VI Our Sailors VII The Base VIII The Destroyer and Her Problem IX Torpedoed X The End of a Submarine XI "Fishing" XII Amusements XIII Storm XIV On Night Patrol XV Camouflage XVI Tragedy XVII "Consolidation not Coöperation" XVIII Machine against Machine XIX The Legend of Kelley XX Sons of the Trident XXI The Fleet XXII The American Squadron XXIII To Sea with the Fleet XXIV "Sky Pilots" XXV In the Wireless Room XXVI Marines XXVII Ships of the Air XXVIII The Sailor in London XXIX The Armed Guard XXX Going Aboard XXXI Grain XXXII Collision XXXIII The Raid by the River XXXIV On Having been both a Soldier and a Sailor ILLUSTRATIONS "A destroyer is by no means a paradise of comfort" . . . _Frontispiece_ A flock of submarines and the "mother" ship in harbour American destroyer on patrol The last of a German U-boat To enjoy their leisure between watches these officers of an American destroyer lash themselves into their seats An American battleship fleet leaving the harbour Even a super-dreadnought is wet at times An American gun crew in heavy weather (winter) outfit FULL SPEED AHEAD I AN HEROIC JOURNEY