[Illustration: A TORPEDOED SHIP WHICH WAS SAVED BY BEING BEACHED] In fitting a standard patch, the size of the hole in the hull was first ascertained, then the patch was made, bolted into position, and the edges were made watertight with cement. Many ships had to be beached at the nearest spot in order to save them from foundering, and the standard patch was then fitted to enable them to reach port and undergo permanent repairs. Other ships still remained afloat after being torpedoed, and it was no uncommon sight to see the ship’s carpenters constructing a standard patch upon the deck. When the patch was finished, it was lowered over the side, the bottom edge being weighted to make it sink in an upright position, while the divers guided it into place and secured it with bolts and nuts. [Illustration: THE STANDARD PATCH WHICH WAS FITTED OVER THE HOLE IN THE SHIP’S SIDE. AS MAY BE SEEN, EACH TIMBER WAS BOLTED HOME AND THE EDGES WERE MADE WATERTIGHT WITH CEMENT. THESE PATCHES WERE OF GREAT SERVICE IN DEFEATING THE GERMAN SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN] Despite its temporary character, the repair was strong enough to enable the ship to journey to the dock set aside for her reception. Yet many a ship met various adventures on the way, and her journey to port was rather a protracted affair. One such case was that of a large vessel torpedoed by the Germans. Luckily, she did not sink immediately. Her bulkheads held and her captain was able to head for the shore until she touched bottom and settled down. Along came the salvage unit, and, ascertaining the damage, worked desperately to fit a standard patch. The patch was duly put on, the many bolts screwed up, and the vessel pumped out and towed off to port. The salvage officers were congratulating themselves on work well done when the unexpected happened. There was a dull explosion and a giant cascade against the side of the steamer. She had been caught a second time by a German submarine! Her nose was headed inshore and once more she touched bottom. Quickly as they could, the salvors tackled her, for she was not the only ship on the sea receiving the unwelcome attentions of the Germans, and the salvors were in constant demand all along the coast. They sized up the new damage, made another patch, drilled the holes in the hull, fitted a felt bed for the patch to rest against and screwed it tightly home. Then the pumps were set going, the damaged hold was emptied and her keel came up from the sandy bed in which it had been resting. The ship, which had survived two German torpedoes, continued her interrupted journey, but she had only been an hour or two on the way when another enemy submarine got her. Whatever the salvage men said and thought, they started to patch her up again, and in time they had the thrice torpedoed vessel continuing her slow journey to the dock where she was to be repaired.