The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1916-12-15

sether with a sprinkle of rain and salt
spray. and the swish OF a wave coming
fnboard forward with the succeeding
splash against castings and guns, sound
ed in his ears.
Lieutenant Smith, r. n. officer of
the middle watch. thought a lot but
said nothing.
The night was pitch dark and the
contrast after the electric glare below
was binding.
Smith groaped his way forward,
choosing the right course and avoid
ing snares to the feet or shins by in
stinct and the accumulated experience
of two years in the ship.
The spray rising from the bow wave
and a beam sea swept down the battery
and sprayed its residue over the lee
side.
The residue met Smith. He thought
a Lot but said nothing.
Close in to the lee of castings and by
gunshield and torpedo tube he passed.
or collided with oilskinned figures.
some treading gingerly aft to take over
their watch, some 70 ling cheerily for
ward TO enjoy their watch below, while
some We're stationary, muttering fierce
~ at the slackness Of their reliefs.
1919 - taitlt the IdIAIiI REuI
tones of the b~oatswain's mate: "AH the
starboard watch-starboard watch to
night defense stations From the out
board came the noise of waves rolling
on to wave. threatening and constant
the song of the sea which poets. poor
fools. have lsuded- The sound made
Smith feel seasick.
He reached the end or the battery.
passing through a shower of spray at
its foremost end. and stumbled up the
ladder TO the forecastle deck. Here the
spray and seas which were coming in
continuously swlshed against him. and
the remnants Of a green sea" taken
in right for.ard played around his an
kles. He mounte another ladder to
the fore bridge, passing the captain,
sigualman II lookouts. and sought
the shelter of the charthouse. An inch
Of water lay on the deck here, swish
ing from side TO side with the roll Of
the ship.
Occupying half of the place was the
navigator; Smith stepped into the other
half. A chart of the North sea lay
spread out upon the table. The navi-
gator put his finger on the words,
North Sea looked at Smith. looked
round the c~harthouse. cTinched his
fists, raised them heavenwards, and
breathed heavily.
Lieutenant Smith. r. n. looked and
felt a lot but said nothing. The clock
showed 1855 p. m.
With a final glance at the chart TO
note the ships position. Smith opened
the charthouse door and stepped out.
He a short ladder to the
upper bridge, when the wind nearly re-
moved his sou'wester.
Half a dozen gun and se~archIight
control men were taking over the
watch: by the compass stood the offic-
er of the s to - watch.
"Tophole night, amt it?0 this pffic-
er said, as he observed his relief. smith
said nothing. They both ducked to-
gether as the ship flumped into q wave,
standing upright again as the spray
passed over to leeward.
Second ship of the line" said the o.
.. w. That's the flagship's stern
light there. Steering northeast, speed
is knots: d%estroyers sculling about on
either beam. guns and so forth as us
ual. Apply days-so long
Smith was reused TO speech. Half a
mo-let's have some Of that again" he
said. The late officer Of the watch
arhpifed his information; then. after
allowing a few nj for his relief to
pick up tho run of things. he gather
ed an empty thermos flask and a couple
Of other belongings and left the
bridge.
The sound of his footsteps as he went
down the adder reminded Smith Of a
funeral. To the northeastward, from
midnight to 4 a. m the squadron
steamed, ship stationed on ship. in an
ordered formation. For one unit Lieu
tenant Smith was responsible.
Smith said nothing.