Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 54338-h.htm or 54338-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54338/54338-h/54338-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54338/54338-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/qshipstheirstory00chat Transcriber’s note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=). See transcriber’s note at the end of the book. Q-SHIPS AND THEIR STORY * * * * * * BOOKS ON THE SEA BY E. KEBLE CHATTERTON _HISTORICAL_ SAILING SHIPS AND THEIR STORY SHIPS AND WAYS OF OTHER DAYS FORE AND AFT: THE STORY OF THE FORE AND AFT RIG STEAMSHIPS AND THEIR STORY THE ROMANCE OF THE SHIP THE STORY OF THE BRITISH NAVY KING’s CUTTERS AND SMUGGLERS THE ROMANCE OF PIRACY THE OLD EAST INDIAMEN _CRUISES_ DOWN CHANNEL IN THE “VIVETTE” THROUGH HOLLAND IN THE “VIVETTE” * * * * * * [Illustration: Q-SAILING SHIP “MITCHELL” This was one of the most famous of all the Q-ships and rendered splendid service. The dummy deck-house on the poop concealed the after gun (see p. 67). _Frontispiece._] Q-SHIPS AND THEIR STORY by E. KEBLE CHATTERTON Author of “Sailing Ships and Their Story,” Late Lieutenant-Commander R.N.V.R. London Sidgwick and Jackson, Ltd. 3, Adam Street, Adelphi, W.C. 1922 TO ADMIRAL SIR LEWIS BAYLY, C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE IRISH COAST DURING THE STRENUOUS YEARS OF THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN, WHO BY HIS ENCOURAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE Q-SHIP SERVICE DID SO MUCH TO THWART THE OPERATIONS OF THE ENEMY AND TO PROTECT OUR MERCANTILE MARINE PREFACE The wonderful and brave story of ships and men here presented needs but the briefest introduction. The deeds will forever remain one of the most glorious chapters in the chronicles of the sea. No excuse is offered for adding another volume to the literature of the war, for the subject is deserving of greater attention than has hitherto been possible. Lord Jellicoe once remarked that he did not think English people realized the wonderful work which these mystery ships had done in the war, and that in these vessels there had been displayed a spirit of endurance, discipline, and courage the like of which the world had never before seen.