Thomas Sigismund Stribling

Name: The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle
Author: Thomas Sigismund Stribling

The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

Summary

“The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle”, published in 1917, is a work by Thomas Sigismund Stribling. It explores elements such as Madden, Vulcan and Panther.

Quotes from The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (Thomas Sigismund Stribling)

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ Madden realized he was seeing what every landsman dreams of seeing: a naval battle. For some inscrutable reason, Caradoc had headed the Vulcan clear around and now faced the enemy, like a rat terrier amid a battle of mastiffs.
Madden turned aft as the tug swung around to follow the fortunes of the Panther. He could see German shells exploding now and then on her decks; sometimes they would strike the sea and send up typhoons of water and weed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ Madden went flying to the right rail of the bridge to stare down at the imminent tragedy.
A dim shadowy bulk was hurtling through the blue water. Suddenly, just as the tug's prow swung athwart her course, the submarine lined up straight with the Panther. A great belching of bubbles wallowed up through the turbulent sea as a sign that the torpedo was launched.
A heart-stopping moment, in which the diving boat, the darting shadow of the torpedo, the blocking prow of the Vulcan was clear.
A titanic upheaval of water; volcanic fires leaping out of the heart of the deep ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ The sky above the Vulcan was filled with the drone of hurtling shells. They sounded as thick as swarming bees. The cannon fire of the approaching English ships mounted to a ragged roar. When the on-coming line was less than five miles distant, Caradoc shouted an order to Galton and the little tug swung around broadside on, displaying her warning signal like a billboard. Through the battle smoke, Madden saw an answering flag go up on the nearest ship. A cheer broke out from the crew at this recognition of their work. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ But now that gray, smoke-wreathed cruiser rushed on indomitably, flanked by her thundering consorts. The half-naked men on the Panther's decks looked curiously small in their huge rushing fortress. German shells battered her decks amid spangling green flames but could not stop her. As she overtook the Vulcan, the concussion of cannon fire and bursting shells grew so terrific it ceased to be noise. It resolved itself into blows, terrific air movements that smote Madden all over. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ The submarine! Sure enough, there was the submarine, silent stiletto, waiting beneath the sea to stab this fiery monster. Madden's heart leaped into his throat. Was it possible so slight an antagonist could engulf the battle cruiser?
The American turned and stared ahead over the shell-beaten sea with all his eyes. The littleVulcan was now racing along some half-mile in front of the English battle line, her warning signal still stretched between her splintered masts. She rushed at top speed, vibrating under the stress of her engines. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ With the utmost horror, Madden saw every tiny port spouting continuous flame in his direction. Steel frothed the sea all around the Vulcan. Missiles struck the little tug and glanced off with sharp musical twangs. The crew of the little boat, who swarmed on deck, wonderstruck at the battle of the giants, suddenly darted to cover with wild yells.
“They're crazy! They're daft!” screamed Madden. “Shooting at us! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ Bursting shells kept a constant glare around her. Her boiler and furnace rendered her hold untenable, for her crew came out of the smoke and formed orderly platoons on her crippled deck. Shells swept gaps through their files, but they closed again in regular formation, standing oddly erect on the tip-tilted deck. There was not a gun they could man, not a blow could they strike, yet the men stood firm in the steel cyclone sweeping across their shattered deck. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (1917)

“ Sudden tears filled the eyes of the American and dimmed the splendid sight. He turned impulsively to his friend.
“Caradoc! My God!” he screamed in his ear, “why don't they quit firing!”
“Their flag is still flying—no doubt the halyards are shot away!” ”

Thomas Sigismund Stribling

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Quotes from The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Battle (Thomas Sigismund Stribling)

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