The Brighton Boys with the Submarine Fleet — John Shaqi
The Brighton Boys with the Submarine FleetDriscoll, James R.
General
The Brighton Boys with the Submarine Fleet
Driscoll, James R.
Submarines (Ships) -- Juvenile fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction
Yes, there was a slight dent---a broad scar---running obliquely across
the deck plates just aft the conning tower within a few inches of the
engine room hatch. The damage, however, appeared to be slight.
"Narrow escape," the lieutenant pondered.
"Zip! zip!" the wireless was sputtering as Sammy Smith flung a code
message into space in quest of other members of the allied navies.
Several times he shot out the call and then closed his key to await
a reply.
Finally it came---a radio from an American warship far out of sight
over the horizon.
"Take this radio to Lieutenant McClure," said Sammy, as he typed it
with the wireless receiver still to his ears, and wheeled to hand it
to Jack. The latter took the flimsy sheet and bounded up the aft hatch
to where his commander stood examining the hull.
"American and English cruisers and destroyers in running fight with
German raiding squadron. Give us your position. U.S.S. _Salem_,"
the message ran.
At once the _Dewey's_ latitude and longitude were rattled off to the
Salem. In reply came another radio from the scout cruiser, giving the
position of the raiding fleet and the pursuers, with this direction:
"Close in from your position. German fleet in full retreat headed
E.N.E. across North Sea. You may be able to intercept them!"
CHAPTER VII
IN A MINE FIELD
Without any further ado the _Dewey_ got under way. While the inspection
of the hull had been going on the submarine's batteries had been
recharged and she was ready again for further diving upon a moment's
notice. Lieutenant McClure climbed into the deck steering station---the
bridge of a submarine---and assumed charge of the electric rudder
control, the wheel of a submersible.
Jack and Ted were ordered onto the bridge with their commander and
instructed to keep a sharp lookout on the horizon with powerful
glasses. The wireless was snapping away exchanging messages with the
allied fleet and getting a line on the pursued raiders. The cool fresh
air felt invigorating after the night's cramped vigil in the fetid
air of the submarine.
When mess call sounded, Jack and Ted, relieved from duty, went below
to get some "chow" and snatch an hour or two of rest.
A radiogram was handed Lieutenant McClure while at breakfast giving
the position of the U.S.S. _Chicago_. A little later H.M.S. Congo, a
"limey," was spoken. Soon the sub was hearing the chatter of half a
dozen American and English warships.
Hastening back to the conning tower, Lieutenant McClure conferred for
a few moments with his executive officer and as a result of their
calculations the course of the _Dewey_ was altered. Headed due north,
it was the aim of the submarine officers to intercept the retreating
column of German raiders whom they knew now to be in full retreat,
hotly pursued by the allied squadron.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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