Kenneth Ward

“ The three-inch guns mounted on most of the merchantmen, with an effective range of three miles, could tear the weak hull of a submarine to pieces at a single shot, and all would be sure to go down before help could arrive from the attacking steamer.
"The machinery seems to go very slow now," remarked Ralph.
"They may be cautiously coming to the top," replied the captain.
"Did you hear that peculiar noise?" said Alfred, as he laid his hand on the captain's arm.
"That was plainly a shot from a ship," said the captain.
"Do you think we could hear firing through all this metal?" asked Ralph. ”

“ The attendant left them without closing the door, and as the prisoners glanced about, nothing was to be seen of the stairway which led to the conning tower. Men were noticed at work, each being stationed at some particular machine or set of machinery. Then, with a bang, something like a trap door swung aside and the stairway was revealed, and a peculiar light streamed in through the hatch opening.
"It's the sun," said Ralph, in ecstacy.
"I never thought we'd see that again," said Alfred, almost overcome.
"May we walk around?" asked the captain, as he approached an under officer. ”

“ No; it is not necessary that America should declare war. Germany has done so by torpedoing your ships, and killing your citizens; that is an act of war; for every nation, and Germany itself, knows that its submarine war is illegal, and without any standing in International Law. ”

“ CHAPTER XIII THE RESCUE IN THE CHANNEL
"The boat is on the way," shouted the captain, as Ralph tried to direct himself toward the captain and Alfred.
"We were just in time," said Ralph. "How is Alfred?" he asked.
"Only stunned," replied the captain. "I think he hit the conning tower as the vessel up-ended."
"Poor fellows," said Ralph, "I suppose it's all up with them."
"They are gone beyond all help. But we did the best we could," answered the captain. "Here, take this fellow first," continued the captain, addressing the officer in charge of the boat. ”

“ Let me see; there are three men in addition to the commander, who need not be reckoned with in a contest. Fortunately, one of the men is a machinist, and the only other man except the sub-lieutenant, of any intelligence, is the doctor. I doubt if he would be a strong factor against us," said the captain.
"The fellow who had charge of the men carrying the boxes is nothing but a chump," said Ralph. "I wouldn't be afraid of him."
"I am considering more the character of the men who are able to handle the boat, and who know the intricacies of the mechanism. ”

“ As the commander remarked to the captain, after the latter reached the bridge, he felt sure that the speed alone, which he was able to make in an emergency, would baffle any attempt to reach his hull. It seemed so, for the vessel fairly skimmed the surface of the water, and left a trail which could be marked for miles.
Every one felt happy, and there was a feeling of security aboard that was shared by every one. ”

“ It would be a pretty hard job for a navigator in a submarine to calculate when the boat had passed sufficiently near to know the opportune time to come to the surface and give us the shot."
"But couldn't they come near enough to take a chance? They might come up 500 feet away or 2,000. At either distance they could land a torpedo, couldn't they?" asked Alfred.
"Quite true; but the submarine might not know whether we were armed or not, and it would not take the risk of exposure in that reckless manner," replied the captain.
"But we are not armed, are we?" asked Ralph. ”

“ This brought the vessel alongside the chaser. A slight turn to port, then forward, and they glided alongside l'Orient.
The crew had been lined up on the port side, and the captain at the end of the bridge raised his cap in salute as they passed by.
"Where are we going?" asked Ralph, as he saw the prow pointing to the south. "Are we going to France?"
"What are those funny things bobbing up there for,—that whole line?" asked Alfred.
"They are the floats for the torpedo nets," replied the captain. "We are now on our way to go through the gates, and thus avoid the nets." ”

“ Alfred was now in the tower, and Ralph, walking up backwards, had his head through the hatch opening, when a shot was fired. He dropped one of his revolvers, and Alfred quickly seized him by the shoulders and drew him up. The hatch cover came down with a bang.
"Are you hurt?" asked Alfred, as Ralph dropped down, but he was reassured as the latter arose. For the moment the captain's gaze was averted, when, quick as thought, the officer's hand touched a lever.
The captain smiled, as he said: "I am afraid the valve of the submerging tank will not work; I prefer running on the surface. ”

“ Confined as they were the air seemed to be pure and in abundance at all times, and while there was not the faintest signs of closeness, there was an eternal monotony,—an existence in which there was nothing to do but breathe and think. ”

“ I want you to be particular to observe every step he takes, and, as far as possible, note what he does at each place; do you understand?" said the captain.
"Perfectly," replied Ralph.
Together they descended. All were well aware that the lieutenant, the doctor, and the three wounded men were still in the dining galley, the door of which had been closed and locked by orders of the captain, after the last of the submarine crew reached the upper deck.
"I know one good place where a fellow can hide and still see what is going on," said Alfred. ”

“ Once on the bridge the captain said: "I take pleasure in introducing my companions on our [Pg 149] little jaunt; they are brave fellows, and are made of the right kind of stuff. I think you will hear from them if America gets into the fight."
"And America is bound to get in, for we have just learned that the first American ship has been sunk without warning," said the navigating officer, as he pressed the hands of the boys.
The captain took up the receiver, which communicated with the topmast. ”

“ The danger to them was just as great while on the surface of the water, for the guns mounted on most vessels at this time, would make the submarine a legitimate prey. One shot would be sufficient, for ingenuity has not yet found a way to quickly stop a leak in a submarine. Such a vessel, when once struck, dare not dive, for that would quickly fill the interior of the vessel with water. ”

“ After all, the ships had been sunk by an enemy which dared not show his face above the surface of the water.
[Pg 164] "Submarine sunk near the harbor of Brest and one off Cherburg," was the startling announcement of the wireless operator. "Five American ships have arrived at the Loire," was another message. "America is aflame with excitement, and demands action," came later.
"Is it possible that the United States will go to war?" asked Ralph.
"The United States is now at war," replied the captain.
"What? do you mean to say that the President has declared war?" asked Alfred in astonishment. ”

“ Idleness breeds discontent and mischief. It is upon the principle that constant work encourages contentment and makes for efficiency, that the Germans require the continued activity which was shown by the occupants of the submarine.
The vessel was manned by twenty-seven officers and men. The personnel being as follows: A lieutenant, a sub-lieutenant, two under or petty officers, a physician, a cook and two oilers, two first-class machinists, and seventeen helpers, or [Pg 77] seamen, although it was evident, as the captain expressed it, that few of the helpers had seen much sea duty. ”

“ Are all the vessels from England now armed?" he asked the captain commanding the vessel.
"Yes; fore and aft. We have found that but a small percentage of armed vessels have been sunk, and those which have guns at both ends are surely doubly armed," answered the commander.
The boom of the guns had brought every passenger on deck. The officers could not conceal the real state of affairs, but there was no sign of a panic. The officers did not even take the precaution to warn the passengers that they should apply or keep the life belts close at hand. ”

“ The motor buzzed, but no effect was produced on the boat.
[Pg 86] "That seems singular," observed Alfred.
"Not at all," answered the captain.
"Why not?" asked Ralph.
"The stern of the submarine is out of the water," answered the captain.
The power was shut off, and again turned on. It was now obvious that they were dangling in the water with the prow of the boat held fast in the entangling nets. As they glanced out the door they could see the faces of the seamen moving to and fro with terror depicted on their countenances.
"They may well fear the results," said the captain. ”

“ At a certain point there is an opening through the nets at one side, through which vessels can pass into the line between the two wire cordons. The opening in the other line of nets is not directly opposite, but a mile or so off to one side, so that in order to get to the opening in the other nets, it is necessary for the ship to sail along in the safety zone between the two nets, and make a turn at right angles to get out through the second opening. That method has been found to be most effective, and is called the safety lane," responded the captain. ”

“ Although instructions of a general nature had been issued by the captain after the vessel left port, he called the passengers together immediately after the excitement attending the appearance of the submarine had died away, and addressed them as follows:
"For the next twelve or fifteen hours we shall be in the danger zone, and it is imperative that each of you should at all times carry a life belt. I impress this on you not for the purpose of creating alarm, but because I know that people become careless. ”

“ I shall go up the stairway, followed by Alfred. While this is going on it will be your duty, Ralph, to watch the workers at the dynamo and the aft tank. They are the only ones who will be able to see the stairway clearly. If you see any look of alarm on their faces, or see that they notice what is going on, move around into the opening, and level both revolvers at them, without, however, making any sound. Hold them in that position until I raise the trap-door and warn the sub-lieutenant. Alfred will follow close and hold the trap-door from being sprung. ”

“ They did so, and found themselves in a compartment which did not seem to be more than five by six feet in size, and even in this small space mechanism was noticed. The moment the door closed they were in total darkness.
"This is a nice place to get into," said Ralph.
"I wonder if they are going to keep us cooped up like this without a light?" said Alfred.
After an interval of ten minutes a rumbling was heard, which continued, a rhythmic motion followed in unison with the sounds generated by the machinery.
"That is the propeller," said the captain. ”

“ Duneen's boats.
"It rather makes me feel good to think that we didn't get caught by either of the submarines," said Alfred. "I would hate to give them that satisfaction."
"But what's the difference, after all?" replied Ralph. "So long as they sink the ships, what matter does it make whether they do it by mines or submarines?"
"Yes; one is as bad as the other, both done against all law," answered Alfred.
The first boat to answer the signal was a French cruiser, which came up rapidly after the chasers arrived. ”

“ A submarine is absolutely in the dark when completely submerged," said the captain. "It must come to the surface sufficiently near to bring its periscope out of the water, and that would reveal its presence to us. ”

“ An aviator has a great advantage over an observer on a vessel, for the reason that the slightest movement of the surface of the sea, even though there may be pronounced waves, can be noted. If the submarine is moving along near the surface, the ripple is very pronounced, and the streak of oil which follows is very narrow. ”

“ Elton. "It is dreadful, but it is no worse for us than for others. I am glad the captain spoke as plainly as he did. We must understand and do our duty."
"Now, Mother, you and Auntie go to the ladies' room and stay there. If anything happens we will know where to find you," said Ralph.
"But I want you to come and stay with us," replied Mrs. Elton.
"We cannot do that," replied Alfred. "We have fine glasses and every one should be on the watch. ”

“ Now, when the under officer opens the hatch and comes down the hatch stairs, will be the time for you to come out of the room and take up your position at the forward corner of the room; that will completely hide you from the eyes of the officer. I shall then go into the room, the moment he reaches the last step, and [Pg 102] thus he will not suspect me. The moment he reaches the passageway opposite the door, I will hold him up with my revolver, and compel him to enter the room. The moment that is done you will push the door shut, as you will see that it has a spring lock. ”

“ They now realized, in a particularly pointed manner, that while the air in a submarine seems to be fairly pure, it is filled with the most noxious fumes, due to the petroleum and lubricants, as well as to the odors due to cooking, all of which cannot be gotten rid of, however constantly the air-circulating apparatus of the ship is in operation. ”

“ Having passed the cordon of nets the chaser turned and slowly steamed past the submarine. The lieutenant stepped to the side of the bridge and said:
"I suppose, Captain, you can now make the pier-head at Ramsgate, where you will get a ship to convoy you to the harbor. Good luck to you! Adieu!" ”