Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-09-18
BOCIIE SHIPPERS POOR
NJ SPELLING HIS UNDOING

" ana one X, and at another time with
"a U and two RS? And that express
sion, "Runs for British admiralty"
Would an English merchant skipper
talk about the British admiralty.
Would he not say, under admiralty
charter" or some such phrase?
The signal lamp of the unknown
vessel began to sc,ntillate again.
'Who are your" ran the simple
message. s.
There was certainly directness
about the question suggesting bluff
old English skipper.
"a British man-of-war," was our
answer. A little later we followed it
up by peremptory order to the stran-
ger to stop. When the signal lamp
began to flicker again, it seemed to
show just a trifle of hesitation.
Night of Suspense.
His meaning was plain enough. We
could have ordered him to stop when
we first sighted him, when we were
within range of the shore batteries,
and where there were British men-of-
war lying just round the corner inside
the harbor. He evidently suspected us
of being the German raider. All these
merchantmen were in state Of high
nervous tension. The mere fact of be-
ing ordered to stop was enough to
make him run as hard as he could. 1t
was clear that we could not overhaul
him. The only question was, had we
sufficient grounds Of suspicion to JUS
tify US in taking steps to compel him
to stop? No one cares to go to the
length of firing on strange merchant
man in the middle of the night unless
there are grave reasons for doing so.
And if this fellow was not British
merchantmen. as he protested, what
else could he be? He might be the
Wolf? 1t was at least a possibility. In
that case the prospect of an engage
ment opened up visions of glorious
death, but little else.
Wireless messages were sent to the
other ships of the patrol, stating the
circumstances, and the position, course
and speed. The first watch was over.
The officer who had been relieved had
dropped into the wardroom for a
cigaret before turning in. AS he lighted
up he remarked: 81 should like to get
hold of that old merchant skipper and
give him piece of my mind"
THE question:" observed one of the
pensive members of the mess, sis
whether he would understand your
language. They are not all good lin
GUSTS"
1t was an observation which clearly
needed simplifying.
IF you were an English skipper I'M
der the impression that you We're be
ing chased by German raider, would
you expect him to go on chasing you
for two hours without firing2"
The officer just relieved from the
bridge became meditative.
Spelled Alden with ct"
"There was something funny" he
said, "even about that last signal ask
ing us why we did not stop him ut
Alden. The signalman tells me that he
first spelled Alden with t. and then
corrected It,"
Even the technicalities of flag
wager may be fraught with impor-
lance. When n messenger came down
from the bridge to say that the ship
on the port bow seemed to be drawing
away from us, the captain sent back a
message to the officer of the watch to
put on the best speed he could. Tie
little ship began to throb with her ex-
ertions. while her funnel grew red-hot
Just before the morning watch the
moon went down, and darkness fell
upon the face Of the water. 1t was
evident that we had gained very little,
If at all, on the stranger. The captain.
leaning over the bridge rail, sung out
for the signalman.
make II you do not stop l shall
fire."
GAY. ay, sir"
Observation-Disclosures"