Replying to my greeting, the _Lion_ flashed from Vice Admiral Pakenham: I greatly regret that only a farewell signal is possible. You take with you not only my personal regards, but the gratitude and admiration of the Battle Cruiser Force and united wishes for a happy return to your country. As the squadron passed out of the harbor, the garrisons at the entrance turned out and cheered and one of the seaplanes that had patrolled for submarines while the squadron was planting on some of its excursions sailed over and around the _San Francisco_, each time nearer, until he swooped by with a roar and a wave of the hand, so near that his wing tip passed not 20 feet from the bridge. Three months afterwards came a letter from Vice Admiral Sir William C. Pakenham: I trust old friends on your side have enjoyed return to their own country, but we miss them much over here. When your Force steamed through Scapa, I thought Providence as well as skill must have been on your side to enable you to pass through a period of such dangerous service, and yet to take all home. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE HOME Until departure from Scotland, the squadron had been almost free from the influenza epidemic prevailing elsewhere so seriously, but during the ten-day stay at Portland some cases appeared among men returning from leave. Among 427 persons on board the _San Francisco_, there were 113 cases before the disease was finally checked. Enough officers and leading men escaped, however, to warrant sailing for home with only one day’s delay, but leaving 40 men in Portland hospital. A few mild cases developed on board the other ships, fortunately with no serious outcome. On Saturday, 14 December, the _Shawmut_ and _Aroostook_ sailed for the Azores, en route for Bermuda and Hampton Roads, their limited fuel radius making these stops necessary. The rest of the squadron followed on Tuesday, 17 December, taking the direct route. The rule of no homeward-bound pennants for less than two years’ absence being relaxed on account of exceptional conditions, all ships on leaving Portland flew long streamers—one so long and large from the _Roanoke_, a steam winch was needed to hoist it. Immediately encountering bad weather, for three days less than half the desired progress was made, and the _San Francisco_ had a serious breakdown of her steering gear. Several men were injured while steering by hand, which had to be discontinued, because the sea drove so heavily on the rudder. The ship was then steered by the screws alone for four days until temporary repairs could be made. Upon the weather clearing, it was decided to divide the squadron, allowing _Roanoke_, _Canandaigua_, _Housatonic_, and _Quinnebaug_ to continue the direct run, which their remaining coal and daily consumption warranted doing, while the _San Francisco_, _Canonicus_, and _Saranac_, with shorter fuel supply and larger consumption, proceeded by the Azores.