The Sentinel=record., 1917-06-07

The British Port Base of the Amer ican Flotilla, Via London, June G. The American destroyers have com pleted their first month of active sery- Ice m the great war. They have been favored with excellent weather. big factor in antisubmarine warfare. with just enough squall and storm to put their seamanship to test. The favor. able weather conditions made their task of learning the technique of anti submarine warfare much simpler and easier.
 The American boats are assigned to work with the British squadrons. be- ing virtually assimilated into the British naval machinery here. A de. stroyer is usually out four or five days and then returns to port for two or three days coalmg and loading sup. plies. Thus every American sailor gets at least half a day shore leave practically every week.
 The Americans take their turn with the British boats in all routine work of patrol and convoy. The work al. though largely routine is interesting and the Americans have never yet found time hanging heavy on their hands. The lookout must be constant and eyes must be trained 10 an un- believable degree of keenness. The young Americans take seriously to this business of locating periscopes and daily reports of submarines sight. ed, of observations made, of wireless warnings, sent broadcast show that the American boats already are mak- ing a fine average of results.
 There has been no actual battle as yet between an American destroyer and the enemy although several re- ports show that U-boats have been sighted and have been compelled 10 beat a nasty retreat to the depths of the sea.
 A consignment to convoy a steamer Is considered especially important Several American liners can already testify to the vigilant work of the American destroyers as conveys. Oc, cas!onally @ fortunate liner finds her. self being escorted to port by Amer. can and British destroyers side by side, circling about her like twin sis. ters. a visible sign of the new ali, ance.
 Shore leave is generous on the American ships and the American sail or Is constantly in evidence in this village, in the countryside roundabout and in nearby cities, which is metro politan and pleasures are available. The people of the towns have taken the American sailors with spend. thrifty ways right into their hearts.
 "The American gets a dollar every time we get a shilling" is a common expression among the admiring British seamen. One of the American sailors found wasy of showing his populence in his habit Of always traveling first class on the railroad which takes him from the village up 10 the city, a trip of few miles The extra cost is only few pence, but the unheard of idea of common sailor travelling first class strikes the pOpulace as worthy
 
 travagance.
 In all the little inns and shops and further afeld evens well into the won. derfuly green countryside, and along the cliffs which remind the seamen of the Palisades along the Hudson an chorages one may any afternoon find groups of British and American sail ors drinking their tea and swapping yarns in true seamanly fashion. The American quickly acclimates himself to the afternoon tea habit and finds C an amiable and satisfactory substi- ute for other things with plenty of opportunity for confidential chats with his new allies
 There are other places where one may afmosi always find groups Of hlue uniformed Americans One is the