The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-07-17

Vice Amiral lie Comtc de vervi,liD
smiled from Cherbourg with feet oi
such ships M fairly entitled him Ia
challenge the English feet Of Vice Ad.
mlrni Oakcs for the mastery Of the
narrow seas.
The latter, more than willing TO try
out the matter, at once put to sen In
n heavy gale Of wind, his capital ships
weighing anchor In succession with
long intervals between them 40 ns Ia
spread n broad clue to intercept the
French. Bluewnter with his division
brought np the rear. The rear admiral
was ohscssed with the idea that DO
Vcrvillin's course had something 10 do
with the pretender's effort and his
conscientious scruples threw him into
n plicous state Of indeclslon. Tho
vice admiral was not troubled by any
such subtle rnmishy. lie only saw
the enemy whom II was his duty TO
bent when, where aud how he could.
After sor'cq ~ The most brilliant
tactical mnncuycrs ana a successful
minor engagement with the whole
French feet by his division nlonc-ihe
two divisions had got separated In the
mad gale and Blucwater hnd called his
own ships around hiin--the vice nd
mIrnl found himself with five ships In
the vicinity ri the French who were
Just double In number. Far away TO
windward the morning disclosed the
five ships NJ the rear admirnrs divI-
sion slowly standing down toward his
superior under easy snil.
Bluewater was stIll In his state Of
painful indecIsIon. Az soon M within
signal distance. by using n private and
personal code. he sent the following
pleading dispatch TO his conslderntc
superior:
"God sake--make no signal-engagc
not"
This signal plunged Oakes, fully
juniors mind. into the most terrible
dilemma. without the assistance of
Bluewater's division he could not hope
To engage the enemy with the least
chance Of success. On the other hand
should he now withdraw without fight.
Ing he would have failed In his duty
and would have been professionally
rilned--and rightly. His mind was NJ
once made up. Attack he would and
must.
Would the friendship between the
two admIrnls stand the test he i'm
posed upon ~ Did the younger care
more for Onkes and England than for
the young prince and rranccf A short
time would determine. Magnnnimpus-
~ refrninlng from making any cmbnr.
rnsslng signal to hts friend. which
might force his hand un,imely. Oakcs
boldly led down upon the waiting
French line nnd with HIS nve ships
brought them to close nction. The
French were quick "a take advantage
of the opportunity given them by the
hcsItations of the English rear nd.
miral. Holding Oakes with Ave of hts
ships to leeward he vervillin threw
the other i've under Des Prex, his
contrc amiral on the windward side of
the English doubling On them. placing
them between two fires.
Although Ontcs' division fought
with the fury ~ despair the end was at
hand when the oppoitmnc arrival Of
B.ucwnter. who could not stand see
lng his friend pounded 10 pieces and
who threw political considerations 10
the wind and bore down on the
triumphant French under press az
sail. completely changed the issue and
wrestcd victory from def.nt. An OF
which II set forth Ia succession OF
sea pictures of surprising grandeur.
Bluewnter, remorseful over his In
ccriitude. actually carried the French
rear ndmlral's ship by boarding nt the
head Of his men. receiving q mortal
wound In the attack by way OF expla,
tion.
Space allows me only 10 mention
the masterly descriptions Of ship
maneuvering and thrilling sea fighting.
I can only refer to some of the we'll
drawn characters Ia the story; the
two splendid ndmirals. their captains.
the officers and seamen. especially old
'fbif'NE' tut NAtWufut
lineated out Of n large experience with
a sure hand. And the great ships them
selves are Imbued with personality 40
dear 10 seaman's heart.
The touching scene at the close Of |
the book. In which Oakcs. old. iDfirm, |
forgetful, praying before the tomb of |
Bluewater In the great abbey OF West |
recalls the last hattie the |
two had fought and with NIL OF his for |
mer fire and fcrvor describes again
those moments Of suspense preceding
the glorious victory, fifty rounds out
the tale. And then death unItes him
with the friend he had loved and lost.
have read the book score or more
of times with ever increasing Joy.
,nvy anyone who takes shin for the
irst time TO saII and fight with these
-wo great masters Of the sea.
Copyright. 1918 by Post Publishing Co..