The Fleets Behind the Fleet: The Work of the Merchant Seamen and Fishermen in the WarGeorge H. Doran Company, 1917 - 88 pages What follows is not written to praise our merchant sailors and fishermen. They are indeed worthy of all praise. But we looked for nothing else than that they would in every circumstance of trial and danger show themselves to be what they are, peerless. At what date or on what occasion in their history have they failed? From a fierier ordeal a firmer courage and a harder resolution have emerged, as we believed it would. Of this the world is already very well aware. Their friends know it and their foes. What remains then is not to praise them but to instruct ourselves. Our vision has been limited. We knew that in the Navy lay our strength, but in our thoughts we defined it as the Royal Navy. Till these troubled years the Merchant Service had for many Englishmen only a shadowy existence. For the first time it has come acutely home to us that "the sea is all one, -the navy is all one." |
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Admiral aeroplanes Allies Alnwick Castle anchor armed attack Avocet Bale battle battle-plane blow blown bombs bridge Britain British ships Captain cargo Channel chief officer's boat coast collier commander courage craft crew cruisers danger Dardanelles deck destroyer drifters East enemy engines explosion fighting fleets fire fireman fishing floating gear Geordie German Grand Fleet guerre de course hands harbours hundred island killed knots land less manœuvre maritime resources Mercantile Marine Merchant Navy merchant sailors Merchant Service merchantmen miles million mine-sweepers mines nation naval power never North Sea ocean officer patrol peace perhaps port Queen's old Sailor rescued round Royal Naval Reserve Royal Navy sail sailors and fishermen saved sea anchor sea-faring shells shot sinking skipper steamer story submarine surface survivors sweepers things thought timidity tion to-day torpedoed trade routes transport trawler Venezia vessel voyage warfare weapons wind wounded
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Page 84 - She showed no periscope — just a conning tower as she lay there — silent and sinister. In about 10 minutes the Alnwick Castle plunged bow first below the surface; her whistle gave one blast and the main topmast broke off; there was a smothered roar and a cloud' of dirt, and we were left in our boats, 139 people, 300 miles from land.
Page 35 - It is doubtless a most important secondary operation of naval war, and it is not likely to be abandoned until war itself shall cease; but regarded as a primary and fundamental measure, sufficient in itself to crush an enemy, it is probably a delusion, and a most dangerous delusion, when presented in the fascinating garb of cheapness to the representatives of a people...
Page 89 - ... Line, for New York for horses. A considerable swell was running, and in our enfeebled state we were unable properly to manoeuvre our boat; but the French captain, M. Paul Bonifacie, handled his empty vessel with great skill and brought her alongside us, sending out a lifebuoy on a line for us to seize. We were unable to climb the ladders, so they hoisted us one by one in ropes, until the 24 live men were aboard. The four dead bodies were left in the boat, and the gunners of the Venezia fired...
Page 35 - The harassment and distress caused to a country by serious interference with its commerce will be conceded by all. It is doubtless a most important secondary operation of naval war, and is not likely to be abandoned till war itself shall cease ; but regarded as a primary and fundamental measure, sufficient in itself to crush an enemy, it is probably a delusion, and a most dangerous delusion, when presented in the fascinating garb of cheapness to the representatives of a people.
Page 35 - ... regarded as a primary and fundamental measure, sufficient in itself to crush an enemy, it is probably a delusion, and a most dangerous delusion, when presented in the fascinating garb of cheapness to the representatives of a people. Especially is it misleading when the nation against whom it is to be directed possesses, as Great Britain did and does, the two requisites of a strong sea power, — a wide-spread healthy commerce and a powerful navy.
Page 88 - After that had gone round, amidst much cursing and snatching, we could see that only one more issue remained. One fireman, Thomas, was dead ; another was nearly gone ; my steward, Buckley, was almost gone; we tried to pour some milk and water down his throat, but he could not swallow. No one could now eat biscuits ; it was impossible to swallow anything solid, our throats were afire, our lips furred, our limbs numbed, our hands were white and bloodless. During the forenoon, Friday 23rd, another fireman...
Page 88 - Friday, 23, by the French steamer Venezia of the Fabre Line, for New York for horses. A considerable swell was running, and in our enfeebled state we were unable properly to manoeuvre our boat; but the French captain, M. Paul Bonifacie, handled his empty vessel with great skill and brought...
Page 86 - Some pitiful appeals were made for water. I issued an extra ration to a few of the weaker ones only. During the night of WednesdayThursday the wind dropped for a couple of hours and several showers of hail fell. The hailstones were eagerly scraped from our clothing and swallowed. I ordered the sail to be spread out in the hope of catching water from a rain shower, but we were disappointed in this, for the rain was too light. Several of the men were getting lightheaded and I found that they had been...
Page 87 - Our water was now very low, and we decided to mix condensed milk with it. Most of the men were now helpless, and several were raving in delirium. The foreman cattleman, W. Kitcher, died and was buried. Soon after dark the sea became confused and angry. I furled the tiny reef sail and put out the sea anchor. At 8 PM we were swamped by a breaking sea and 'I thought all was over. A moan of despair rose in the darkness, but I shouted to them to ' Bale, bale, bale ! ' and assured them that the boat could...
Page 89 - ... boat, and the gunners of the Venezia fired at her in order to destroy her, but the shots did not take effect. I earnestly hope that the other five boats have been picked up, for I fear that neither of the small accident boats had much chance of surviving the weather I experienced. At present I have not regained fully the use of my hands and feet, but hope to be fit again before my arrival in England, when I trust you will honor me with appointment to another ship.