If the vessel spoken is a valuable vessel, and is bound to a port on the west coast of France, below Latitude 48° 30′ North, she may be escorted. The fact that you have taken her under escort is to be sent to the Base by radio, _in code_, in following manner: Example: “BALTIC UNDER ESCORT, BOUND TO——” When acting as escorting vessel, keep on exposed bow of convoy and about 1200 yards ahead of her. Insist that all vessels zigzag day and night. Escorting vessels to break joints when courses are changed. Leave patrol and return to Base in time to arrive at or about scheduled time. [Illustration: A WET DAY FOR THE DECK WATCH] [Illustration: FRENCH AND UNDERHILL ARE DOLLED UP FOR THE CAMERA] Calls for assistance from vessels will be answered and in case of disaster crews are to be rescued if possible. Report rescue of survivors by radio in order to receive instructions. Ordinary cruising speed of the faster vessels should be at least twelve knots. Fires should be kept under all boilers. The slower vessels should maintain a speed of nine knots or over. Ships returning from patrol will signal, using numerals, the amount of coal and water needed. Coaling may commence upon arrival in port or be done the day after arrival. When it was desired to have the _Corsair_ find and escort some particular ship or assemblage of them through part of the danger zone, such instructions as the following were sent to her commander: _United States Patrol Squadron, Flag Office Brest, France, 27 July, 1917_ Group Operation Order No. 2. Force:—Group D.—CORSAIR, APHRODITE. American convoy, speed 12 knots, escorted, should arrive Saint-Nazaire 27 July. Make preparations so that it can be piloted to destination without anchoring and without stopping at sea. Saint-Nazaire has been informed. Proceed in company as far as practicable, 28 July, to a position about 50 miles west of Belle Isle, relieving _Kanawha_ and _Noma_. Communicate with and join convoy. Radio FFK and FFL for IL (use AFR) the probable hour of the entrance into the Loire. Pilot the convoy as far as G’d Charpentier where river pilots will be ready. Unless otherwise ordered, steer to pass south of Belle Isle. The convoy must not stop at sea or anchor. The _Corsair’s_ log-book and the official War Diary, which was sent as a record to the Navy Department, are so laconic and technical that one might conclude the Breton Patrol to be lacking in all adventure. They serve to check up the yarns spun by the crew, however, and have the merit of accuracy. Omitting the daily entries of courses, position, and speed which could interest nobody, the commander’s record of the first cruise out of Brest reads like this: _July 14, 1917._ Under way from Brest for patrol area. Spoke to British steamer _Ardandeary_ bound for Falmouth with general cargo.