Details of the mechanical development of the new mine itself have not been gone into, for obvious reasons. Justice to that part could be done only by those who were directly concerned in it, but I am glad of the opportunity to express appreciation of the valuable service which was rendered to our cause in the war by Commander S. P. Fullinwider, U.S.N., in seizing upon and developing the long-sought means for such an undertaking, and by Lieut. Commander T. S. Wilkinson, U.S.N., and the officers and designing engineers in the Bureau of Ordnance and at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., by their skill and ingenuity in designing mechanical features, when normal experimenting was impossible. As for the ships—the personal study which Captain J. D. Beuret (C.C.), U.S.N., made of the mine elevator problem was the foundation of its brilliant success, and the fact that, in the whole period of service, few alterations or improvements in the minelayers were found desirable, although suggestions were called for, is the best tribute to those who planned and carried out their conversion. Only very inadequate expression can be given here to my appreciation of the services of my staff, in particular Captain H. V. Butler, U.S.N., whose excellent conduct of the flagship, supported by the indefatigable care of his navigator, Lieut. Commander J. C. Cunningham, U.S.N., made it possible to approach and navigate close to unmarked minefields in the open sea. And I was fortunate to have one so thoroughly loyal and capable as Commander B. L. Canaga, without whose unremitting attentiveness, and tactful management of countless details under difficulties, our performance would have been far less creditable. Inseparable from our recollections will always be the excellent and friendly official and personal relations with the destroyer escort, especially when H.M.S. _Vampire_ led. Captain H. R. Godfrey, C.B., D.S.O., writes, “It was the determination of every officer and man in the 14th Flotilla, who had the honor of being entrusted with the screening of the U.S. Minelaying Force, that no preventable attack by enemy submarine or surface vessel should inflict damage on any ship of the Force.” It is but speaking for all of us to say, that is what we felt, from the first moment of that grey morning’s meeting on the day of arrival. NEWPORT, 15 June, 1919. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE 1. The Mine Force Ready 11 2. The Need and the Means 17 3. The Bases in Scotland 22 4. The Supply of Mines 25 5. General Supplies and Transportation 30 6. A Sample of Quality 33 7. Mine Assembling and Embarking 35 8. The First Minelaying Excursion 39