I am speaking to you to-day as representing the Squadron. It is very appropriate that, on this occasion of temporarily transferring the flag, I should get together the officers and crews of the two old war horses, _San Francisco_ and _Baltimore_, that have made our success possible. The work in the Northern Mine Barrage did not begin only a year ago. It began for a squadron of mining ships when the _Baltimore_ and the _Dubuque_ joined the _San Francisco_, in the middle of 1915. These old ships set an example that made the rest aspire to follow, to live up to the high standard and steady pace necessary to accomplish what we have done. To-day marks the end of the “Yankee Mining Squadron,” that did four-fifths of the Northern Mine Barrage. I do not need to tell you how highly mentioned our work has been. When the reports have been published, no doubt it will be highly thought of in this country and by all who read about it in the future. This success is due, not to any one of us, not to any few of us, it is due to all of us. I am very proud to have commanded such a force. It is a deep gratification to have such a success come as a result of the efforts we have made through four years. Naturally, I shall never forget, but I wish to let you know that you should never forget it. The Squadron is now reorganizing. Some of you may go to other duty, some may go out into civil life, where you will work during the conditions of peace which you helped to bring about. And now let me remind you of the principles on which we won success in our part in this war and on which we always did our work. Remember this! that the everyday things are the easiest to forget, and it is because we have carefully kept before us the importance of doing the everyday things right that we have earned success. We have not been afraid of work, we have never shied at any job. Every man has felt his part as important to do properly as any other man’s part, and as long as the work was to be done he has kept up his attention. That has been the main principle—not to slack down—that a job is not finished until it is done, and it is not done until it is done right. We have not sought the easiest way but the right way, and we have generally found that the right way was the easiest way in the long run. And further, that a job, to be rightly done, must be as good at the end and in the middle as in the beginning. We have not slackened. The 860th mine of the _Canonicus_, of the longest string ever laid, was as good as the first or the 300th or any other mine.