The sun., 1917-06-07
Destroyers' Work in First
Month Nearly Equal to
That of British.
MANY SUBMARINES SEEN
American Warships Often Con.
voy Ships From Ports on
This Side.

icAN FLoT1LLA, via London. June g.
The American destroyers have COM
pleted their first month OF active service
in the great war. They have been ia
vored with excellent weather, which is
a big factor in antl-submarine warfare.
Most Of the time they have had sunny
skies and smooth seas, with just enough
squall and storm to put their seaman
ship to test. The favorable weather con-
ditions made their task of learning the
technique OF anti-submarine warfare
much simpler and easier
There has been no actual battle as yet
between an American destroyer and the
I enemy. although several reports show
that r-boats have been sighted and have
been compelled to beat a hasty retreat
~ the depths OF the sea.
The American boats are assigned to
work hand in hand with the British
suuadrons. being virtually assimilated
into the British naval machinery here.
a destroyer is usually out for four or
fve days. and then returns to port for
two or three days while coaling and
loading supplies. Thus every American
sailor gets at least half a day shore
leave practically every week.
Take Turn. With British.
/ American boats take their turn with
the British boats in all routine work Of
patrol and convoy. The work, although
Z largely routine, is interesting and the
! Americans have never yet found time
! hanging heavy on their hands The
4 lookout must be constant and eyes must
! be trained to an unbelievable degree Of
! keenness
The young Americans take zeaiously
1 TO this business OF finding the periscoptc
needle In the nautical haystack. and
! daily reports of submarines sighted, OF
! observations made. OF wireless warnings
sent broadcast show that the American
boats are already making an average OF
results almost as satisfactory as the long
experienced British boats with which
they are operating.
An assignment 10 convoy a liner
from home" that Is. from an Ameri-
can port, Is regarded as an especially
| choice morrel. A transatlantic liner
which sights the American nag ap-
preaching to escort her TO hand never
fails to respond with a great waving
| OF fiags and handkerchiefs from her
, decks and there is a fine exchange OF
wigwag signals in lieu OF handshakes
| Several American liners can already
testify to the vigilant work OF the Amer
lean destroyers as conveys Occa sionally
a fortunate liner finds herself escorted
to port by American and British de-
! stroyers side by side. circling about her
like twin sisters. a visible sign of the
new era.
Ready on Arrival.
The American boats were ready for
! htFF yyYtrR
was something of a pleasant surprise
for the British naval men. 1t had beer
expected that some time would be nee.
ess2ry for certain installations and
fittings but the Americans had every.
thing in readiness and were al ono.
assigned TO work.
Shore leave is generous on the Ameri
can ships, and the American sailor 1,
constantly In evidence in this village
in the countryside roundabout and in q
nearby city. where more metropolitan
pleasures are available than in the re
stricted limits OF this little place Tn,
people of the towns have taken ths
American sailor and his strangely
spendthrift ways right into their hearts
The American sailor seems always u
have money, which is not SO straur,
pay is considerably higher than that q
the British tar.
The American gets a dollar ever,
time we get shilling" is a common ex
preston among the admiring British sea
men. One OF the American sailors ia
vorite ways OF showing his opulence II
his habit OF always travelling first clas
on the railroad which takes him from
tine village up 10 tine city, trim OF .
few miles. The extra cost IL only ,
few pence. but the unheard OF IDEA o.
a sailor travelling FIRST class strike,
the .popuiace as a startling and auds
cious mannuvre worthy the best ira
dition OF American extravaganza.
seldom Fooled Twice.
Local tradesmen who expected 10 nnf
the visitor an easy mark soon Learned
|, their mistake, however. for he is seldom
fooled twice and quickly learns TO de
mand value for his money Tea time IL
the village now has an American flavor
In all the little inns and shops, am
!. further afield, even well into the won
derfully green countryside and alon,
the cliffs. which remind the seamen o
. the Palisades along the Hudson anchor
, ages, one may find any afternoon group
, OF British and American sailors drinkin,
their tea and swapping yarns Tn
, American quickly acclimates himself I,
, the afternoon tea habit and finds IL a.
amiable and satisfactory substitute 70
, other things, with plenty OF opportunit-
for confidential chats with his ney
: allies on a thousand and one subject
, which his active mind has been turnin,
/, over since his arrival here,
WAR TREATIES OF