New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-13

mans in their preference for the still
waters Of the Kiel Canal.
Living out 20 sea were the most
heterogeneous collection Of war vessels
Imaginable. There were converted
steam trawlers acting as mine sweep
ers, dcstroyers of all types. light cruis-
ers 81 every known variety. All were
waiting with steam up ready to start
again at a moments notice. Some had
Just come in and were signalling 70 the
commander the story of their latest
adventures.
On our left lay queer looking ves-
sci, with strange structure on her
deck. She was the mother ship OF the
seaplanes. Near by was great, al
mos. square. erection. real triumph
Of ugliness. which set every one Won
dering how 1t possibly eontrived TO
float. An officer explained il was
floating dock for cruisers. and as we
approached hundreds Of workmen be-
came visible. These were hammering
rivets as though their lives depended
upon 1t.
Saucy Arcthusa Near.
The motor launch pulled up, almost
with a jerk, alongside Of a weather
beaten cruiser glance at the side
showed 10 70 be the vessel which per-
haps more than any other has aroused
the pride Of the British people. 1t was
the Arethusa to be accurate, the
"saucy" Arethusa.
Without disrespect 70 her famous
namesake, "saucy" is too mild term
to be applied TO this ship. Uncommis-
stoned when the war began, yet. three
weeks afterward, she bore the honors
Of the battle of Heligoland. Five actions
she fought on that day. She was the
leader Of the squadron. Taking all
risks, she bored in and sank the Mainz.
Badly Knocked about, she managed 20
regain harbor under her own steam. A
few weeks later again she was patrol
ling the North Sea.
When the Cuxhavcn raid occurred, on
Christmas Day, 1914, she was in the
thick Of it all. In the Dogger Bank bat
tie Of January "a, once more she was in
the thick Of the fghting, and a well
aimed torpedo from her gave the coup
de grace 10 the Blucher. Aboard this
ship il is impossible TO pay strict at
tention to her ornaments and the en-
zines. superior in power to most dread
noughts. The sole thought IS OF the
ship and the men who, in so short a
time. have achieved such glory.
Her wounds have healed now, but
the scars are visible Looking over the
wire rope that displaces the tafrail,
great patches and dents are visible on
the sides. The patches mark where the
enemy shells pierced the armor; the
dents denote the shots that glanced of.
An officer explained.
"You see" he said, Eve carry practi-
cally no armor. Our speed IS our anna
ment.'
He drew attention TO some other
hurts. Here a she'll hit an ammunition
tank and caused many casualties. The
coming tower showed many dents. Lit
tie holes everywhere showed where the
shrapnel had penetrated. A replaced
piece of the deck indicated where the
big fire took place.
Scared as she ia, the "Saucy Are
thusa" retains all the light-heartedness
OF youth. There is plate displayed on
her main deck, inserted there by order
Of Winston Churchill. IL contains the
old lines:
Come. all " oily sailor, bold
Whose hearts arr cis, IN honor's mould.
Willie Brifai's ya'or unfold
Hur.sl for me Arc'husa
Al row wee. driven The ~" ashore.
Never 20 fgff vifn Britors more,
L. each z.s-s 20 iis fag'rfc laSs.
health 70 the captain and officers tue.
Add al thai belong % 'he ioNial crew
on board the A-ethusa.
The Arethusa and her class will be
heard a good deal more of before the
war is over. Always ready, patrolling
the seas right up to Heligolsnd for five
DAYS out of the seven, it is due TO them
that England sleeps soundy at night.
That thought was uppermost in the
minds Of all the party az the launch
tore back 70 the land, over which a
brilliant red sunset presented start.
ling contrast to the murky waters Of
the North Sea