E 11 “proceeded” in the usual way, to the usual accompaniments of
hostile destroyers, up the Straits, and meets the usual difficulties
about charging-up when she gets through. Her wireless naturally takes
this opportunity to give trouble, and E 11 is left, deaf and dumb,
somewhere in the middle of the Sea of Marmara, diving to avoid hostile
destroyers in the intervals of trying to come at the fault in her
aerial. (Yet it is noteworthy that the language of the Trade, though
technical, is no more emphatic or incandescent than that of top-side
ships.)
Then she goes towards Constantinople, finds a Turkish torpedo-gunboat
off the port, sinks her, has her periscope smashed by a six-pounder,
retires, fits a new top on the periscope, and at 10.30 a.m.--they must
have needed it--pipes “All hands to bathe.” Much refreshed, she gets
her wireless linked up at last, and is able to tell the authorities
where she is and what she is after.
* * * * *
In due time E 11 went back to her base. She had discovered a way of
using unspent torpedoes twice over, which surprised the enemy, and she
had as nearly as possible been cut down by a ship which she thought
was running away from her. Instead of which (she made the discovery at
3,000 yards, both craft all out) the stranger steamed straight at her.
“The enemy then witnessed a somewhat spectacular dive at full speed
from the surface to 20 feet in as many seconds. He then really did turn
tail and was seen no more.” Going through the Straits she observed
an empty troopship at anchor, but reserved her torpedoes in the hope
of picking up some battleships lower down. Not finding these in the
Narrows, she nosed her way back and sank the trooper, “afterwards
continuing journey down the Straits.” Off Kilid Bahr something
happened; she got out of trim and had to be fully flooded before she
could be brought to her required depth. It might have been whirlpools
under water, or--other things. (They tell a story of a boat which once
went mad in these very waters, and, for no reason ascertainable from
within, plunged to depths that contractors do not allow for; rocketed
up again like a swordfish, and would doubtless have so continued till
she died, had not something she had fouled dropped off and let her
recover her composure.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account