The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-11-10

us at great speed.
I was wondering concerning this and
in my imagination, I already saw a
speeding destroyer before me. I discov-
cred at a relatively long distance behind
both lights another white light moving
along which lit up weakly the ocean
waves.
REFLECTION ON SURFACE
This reflection was from other lights
because they were approaching at the
same speed. 1t was not long before there
formed on the glass the outline of large
ocean steamer with its massive upper
works, which was rapidly coming closer
through the darkness of the night. The
white light was the reflection on the
waves which because of the large size
of the steamer could be seen at quite a
distance from the ship itself
We looked for few more minutes, and
we discovered four high tunnels and felt
sure that we had dead ahead of us a
Cunard steamer that was rushing toward
us with only the running lights show
ing
That made a ghostlike impression to
see this enormous black ship speeding on
us in the night. One doesn't necessarily
need to be a romantic dreamer in order
to begin to think of meeting the flying
Dutchnan. Humke expressed his feelings
in the following words:
Fellows what a man.
At full speed forward" and the ''rud-
der hard a-starboard," we avoid the
proud Cunarder while those of the crew
off watch come up to view the spectacle
In spite of the sharp lookout, nothing
came within our sight during the next
few days. AS the weather was contin-
ually fair, our return trip was more like
the voyage of quiet merchantmen in
peace times.
Now we could really appreciate the
comfortable and practicable arrangements
of the entire boat, and enjoy ourselves
in our nice little mess.
When we were at the table. the phono-
graphs played. and our excellent steward,
Stucke, with an Interchangeable and Sc
rene countenance placed before US bot
tie of excellent California wine, and we
were lying somewhere on the bottom of
the ocean while quite storm was rag
ing several meters above us. Then
didn't have too much ina gination if L
felt like a second Captain Memo, who, on
his Nautilus, dives down into the deep
and doesn't give rap about the So
called mastery of the seas.
Herewith have to make confession
that Use was on this return trip from
America had the opportunity to improve
before read Jules verne's Twenty Thou
sand Leagues Under the Sea-" but now
had the opportunity to get acquainted
with it; thanks to friend in Baltimore
who sent me copy of the book 1t was
spur and an example to follow, so l
read it with the greatest interest.
THE LAST ALARM
Besides this, what happened on our re-
turn trip is quickly related. We trav-
eled calmly and peacefully, turning at
times to avoid ships which we met at a
long distance. At this, We soon became
masters. We had generally fair weather
and calm seas and at one time a heavy
fog.
I was sitting in my cabin one afternoon
by the writing table, doing some work,
when heard the steersnaan in the nearby
Central repeat the command:
''Starboard, 90"
Soon thereafter port. 1917 This caused
me to hurry on deck before any report
had been given by the mate on duty.
There was a strange sight Round
about, as far as the eye could reach was
the ocean crowded with field of dark
petroleum barrels. floating around.
through which we had to pick our way
cautiously At the first minute, I be-
lieved we had happened into mine field
until the sharp cOrnered barrels char
acteristic form and their contents. some
of which was floating on the water
proved to me their innocent nature. At
any rate. we had to steer very carefully
through the obstructing collection, but
the field was too large to go around with
out losing much time in our course. The
number of barrels. which We saw. must
have been at least 1000. So we went
with half speed ahead-port-and then
starboard-and port again. for more than
an hours time. Also part of a wreck
could be seen so that it was easily un-
derstood a steamer had been lost or sunk
by an enemy.
Excellent practice for u.s." remarked
Krapohl. preparatory to slipping through
the English mine fields. I think we
can risk the return trip through the
English channel all right"
Gradually we had come inside the line
of the English patrol. The lookout was
doubled. Every one was at his post for
diving. Now and then we saw ships
which appeared, but we did not attract
their attention. We succeeded in passing
them safely by changing our course or
diving.
Once we made quick dive in order
not to be seen by small British cruz
ser. After an hours voyaging under the
water, we again arose. being at the
depth of II meters. but we saw through
the periscope another English steamer
and then went down to 20 meters. This
was repeated three times.
In the middle of the day, we came up
for good, blew, the water out of the div
ing tanks and started off at full speed.
~ y Ill