Hancock Harrie Irving - Dave Darrin and the German Submarines. Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea Monsters стр 25.

How it happened no one can ever tell; the cause none can guess with anything like certainty.

Did a chorus of despairing shrieks come from the bowels of that dying sea monster? There were those on the Logan who were sure they heard cries of terror.

Instead of sinking, the submarine continued on over and turned turtle. Her dripping hull glistened in the forenoon sun!

It was too much for the tensed nerves of the American sailor men.

Hurrah! they let loose. Hurrah! Hur

Stop that cheering! rose Darrins heaviest tones over the tumult. The enemy are dying.

Theyre only Huns! answered a voice from below.

But the cheering died away and Daves voice carried far as he answered:

I know theyre only Huns, and a bad lot, but they fought us well. Well cheer for the victory later, but not for the fate of men who are dying there.

Darrin then gave the order to steam in close and to stand by to rescue any swimmers who might appear in the water.

Twice the Logan circled the overturned enemy. Save for two of the men who had been shot away from the submarines gun platform, and who were dead, none of the enemy were to be found.

Now it was that the young commanding officer had an opportunity to turn about and see how it was faring with the other American vessels.

All firing had ceased. The fleet was proceeding on its way. Darrin was some distance astern of the rearmost ships of the troopship fleet.

Men, it looks as if our fight were over for the present, Dave called down in hearty cheery tones. From the bridge we cannot see the head of the fleet, nor can we hear the sound of firing.

Accordingly all speed was jammed on. The Logan, saluting the rearmost scout of the destroyer flotilla, steamed on to return to her own position in the line. As he passed a sister ship Darrin signalled:

How many transports lost?

Only the Castle City, we understand, came the response.

Any lives lost?

We dont know.

We lost two men.

Condolence, signalled the rearmost rear-guard craft.

Any naval vessels lost? Dave inquired.

None that we know about.

How many enemy submarines sunk?

Several; dont know the number, replied the other destroyer.

Now you may cheer in earnest, if you want to, Darrin shouted down from the bridge as the news was passed around.

And right royally did those jackies cheer. The rescued soldiers were now permitted on the Logans deck, and contributed their own quota of cheers.

Dan came up to the bridge with a paper in his hand.

The commanding general of the Army division will be asking for the names of soldiers on the various ships of the naval fleet who were rescued from the Castle City, Dalzell explained. So Ive taken the names of all the Army people we have aboard the Logan. Heres the list. It foots up seventy-seven enlisted men, with two officers.

Good enough, rejoined Dave. Keep the list until called for.

No sooner was the destroyer within signalling distance of the transport that carried Major-General Burton, than a wigwagged demand came for that list. It was received and checked up.

The American loss, to the Army, had been one troopship, one officer and five enlisted men; to the Navy, with no ships lost, four men had been killed, including the two on the Logan, and one seaman had been wounded.

The German loss in officers and men could only be guessed at. But it was definitely known that thirteen of the Kaisers submarines had been sent to the bottom.

However, Lieutenant-Commander Darrin observed, when he and his executive officer had considered the report, we are not yet through the Danger Zone.

We may have another battle stiffer than the one just concluded.

Tell me something! begged Danny Grin, his eyes gleaming. Out of the thirteen pests sunk four are placed to the credit of the Logan. Are we the people or something like it in this mornings job?

Now run along, Dave advised laughingly, and dont allow your head to be enlarged, either on your own account or your ships. The best we can claim, Danny-boy, is that we were very fortunate. As officers and men were no better than are to be found all through the Navy.

Theres one question Id like to ask you before I trot, Dan insisted, with one of his famous grins.

What is it?

It may have some bearing on future fight engagements, Dalzell continued, his grin slowly fading.

When will you find time to tell me what the question is? Darrin asked smiling.

How many submarines were probably engaged this morning?

I havent any more idea than you have. I was too fully occupied with our own affairs to be able to watch the whole field.

But that document led us to believe that about sixty would be engaged, Dalzell continued. The question is, how many submarines were pitted against the fleet this morning?

I dont know how many, Dave admitted. But I see your point. If the entire sixty were not engaged and I doubt if any such number attacked then we must look for a second mass attack.

Yes, sir, nodded Dalzell, now wholly the serious, subordinate naval officer.

The thing is worth taking up, said Dave. Ill signal Captain Rhodes on the flagship of the destroyer flotilla and find out what he has to say.