The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-07-05
ADMIRAL MAYO UNDER FIRE DURING
BRITISH NAVAL ATTACK ON 0STEND
Commander Of Atlantic Fleet Watched Smelling Terror From Bridge
of Broke-Admira Made Many Trips to Europe During
the War Played an Important Part in Drec
ton of Naval Part of War.

bombs were dropped by this unexpect-
ed visitor, but the troops along the
road opened up lively machine gun
fire. all of which went over the heads
of the distinguished inspection party
and again brought them in the line Of
fire.
"At this time the British navy was
operating against the land guns at
Ostend. Part of its attack was made
from the Terror, a monitor of the old
fashioned type, somewhat similar to
our Amphitrite, which was anchored
about fourteen miles from the shore
batteries of the Germans.
admiral Mayo. accompanying three
English high officers, boarded the Brit
ish destroyer Broke. 1t will be re
called that the Broke, Captain Evans
commanding, at this time had re-
markable record Of engagements with
the U-boats. Encountering at one
time six of the enemy submarines. she
accounted for herself so skillfully and
courageously that her log shows that
at rate of about two minutes apart
she sank three of them. Had II not
been for shot temporarily disabling
her engines, she would, from past per-
formances, have continued to have
made way with the remaining trio. As
1t was, she escaped after bagging three
and writing glorious page in her log.
"The Broke proceeded to where the
Terror was anchored. An air patrol
came out. Destroyers kept moving up
and down before the monitor, throwing
a smoke screen about her The Broke,
which at this time was flying Admiral
Mayo's flag, joined the party. The ad-
miral was on the bridge with Admiral
Jelllcoe and the destroyer's skipper.
On the forecastle were Commander
Moves and Commander Babcock of Ad.
miral Sims staff.
Watches From Bridge.
1.-THE German batteries opened fire
at 14-mlle range, began lively she'll
ing of the Terror, throwing splashes
close to the Broke and the other de-
stroyers which kept moving UP the
line. Throughout the firing Admiral
Mayo remained ON the bridge, making
close observation OF the enemy's
work. The attack finally ceased with
out any direct hits being made by the
Germans.
Feeling a little more at ease. the
party returned, and taking British de.
stroyers went across the channel to
Dover. The excitement all over, but
still with the thrill OF having been In
the midst of the very lively engage
ment, Admiral Mayo and the party
boarded the train for London. They
had hardly got fair start when the
alarm for an air raid was sounded
Raiding parties coming from German
territory were known not to waste
any time ON Dover and having flown
over the land followed the railroad
tracks to London.
"All lights were extingulshed, every
thing was down to whisper. and the
party was again under the guns of the
enemy. Then came all clear and the
American visitors continued their jour-
ney to London with the real experience
of having been under fire.
Admiral Mayo has never mentioned
his experience of having been directly
under the enemy's guns when they
were directed from land to forces at
sea, but his own war diary no doubt
carries rather vivid series of remi-
niscences with some observations and
perhaps some recommendations that
would be interesting to read"