The American Army had begun to move overseas in a swelling tide of khaki and the transports came faster and faster. No sooner had the _Corsair_ seen the last of one group than another was waiting. On September 28th she left port to seek contact with the store-ships _City of Atlanta_, _Willehad_, _Artemus_, and _Florence Luckenbach_, and a British destroyer which was the senior vessel of the escort. Having found them, the subsequent proceedings were such as sprinkled gray hairs on the heads of the commander and the officers of the _Corsair_. The War Diary records it in this summary fashion: _September 29th._ _Noma_ signalled by blinker tube that _City of Atlanta_, the last ship of the convoy, was having engine trouble and could not keep position. Signalled to _Noma_ to stand by her. _Noma_ and _City of Atlanta_ dropped astern and disappeared in the darkness. [Illustration: THE GUNNER’S MATES AND THE LONG ROW OF DEPTH CHARGES READY TO PLOP OVER THE STERN] [Illustration: ANOTHER VIEW OF THE MINE TRACK, SHOWING THE Y GUN OR DOUBLE MORTAR] 3.32 A.M. Received radio from _Alcedo_, “_I have been rammed by convoy. Stand by._” Headed back to look for _Alcedo_ and found the _Willehad_ out of position and making the best of her way to rejoin. Communicated with the _Willehad_ by megaphone and was informed that she had fouled the _Alcedo_ but that the yacht had rejoined and was in position with the escort. During this détour, received from the _Noma_, “_I am proceeding with the City of Atlanta._” At this time a large convoy was observed standing to the northward and cutting off the _Noma_ and _City of Atlanta_ from our convoy. 6.15 A.M. Received from _Noma_, “_Lost City of Atlanta about_ 4.30 A.M. _in passing through large convoy. Is she with you?_” The _Noma_ was instructed to search for the missing ship and escort her in. 8.44 A.M. _Noma_ reported that she had found the _City of Atlanta_ and was proceeding to _Teignouse Channel_. So much for the routine of faithful endeavor, continual danger, and incessant vigilance! The month of October was very different. It was memorable in the _Corsair’s_ calendar because she fought a submarine, rescued many survivors of abandoned ships, and saw two fine transports torpedoed, the _Antilles_ and the _Finland_, with heavy loss of life. There was no more grumbling at the uneventful drudgery of war. The crowded activity began on the second day of October when this radio message was caught and decoded: To all Allied men-of-war,—from Land’s End: Picked up five men of French fishing vessel sunk by submarine. Five boats still adrift—twenty-one men. Position 39-JSD.