Three-fourths of our first line dreadnaughts saw service in European waters. All the rest, first and second line, would have been taken over by Admiral Mayo if their presence had been required. [Illustration: FIFTH BATTLE SQUADRON JOINING THE BRITISH GRAND FLEET Led by Admiral Rodman's flagship, the U. S. S. New York, the American ships steamed into Scapa Flow amid an outburst of cheers from their British comrades. Inset: Admiral Hugh Rodman.] [Illustration: From the painting by Bernard F. Gribble SURRENDER OF THE GERMAN HIGH SEAS FLEET Admirals Rodman and Sims, on the deck of the New York, watching the procession of German ships on their last voyage, to their anchorage in the Firth of Forth. Then came the signal from the Commander-in-Chief: "At sundown lower your colors and do not hoist them again without permission."] CHAPTER XV "CINDERELLAS OF THE FLEET" SUBMARINE CHASERS BORE BRILLIANT PART IN ATTACK ON DURAZZO--SANK ONE SUBMARINE, DAMAGED ANOTHER, AND "THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THEMSELVES"--QUEER CODES FOOLED THE GERMANS--OVER FOUR HUNDRED "CHASERS" BUILT--STAUNCH LITTLE WOODEN CRAFT DID WONDERFULLY GOOD WORK IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. Cinderella was not the guest first invited, but when she arrived she became the belle of the ball. The little submarine chasers, originally designed to protect entrance to harbors, to patrol coasts and keep close to shore, won fame and admiration by their splendid service in Europe and America. These "Cinderellas of the Fleet" became eyes and ears of the anti-submarine forces, hunters rightly feared by the U-boats, whose commanders had at first looked upon them with ill-concealed contempt. Sub-chasers were particularly valuable as "listeners," the submarine detection devices with which they were equipped being vastly superior to those previously in use. Organized in "hunting units"--three to the unit, the commander in the center, with a "wing boat" on either side--they were real "chasers" of submarines. I am most grateful for the valuable service rendered by twelve submarine chasers under Captain Nelson, U. S. N., and Lieutenant Commander Bastedo, U. S. N., which I took the liberty of employing in an operation against Durazzo on October 2. They screened heavy ships during the bombardment under enemy fire; also apparently destroyed definitely one submarine which torpedoed _H. M. S. Weymouth_, and damaged and probably destroyed another submarine. During the return voyage they assisted in screening _H. M. S. Weymouth_, and in escorting enemy hospital ship which was being brought in for examination. Their conduct throughout was beyond praise. They all returned safely without casualties. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.