The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-08-05

from TIE torpedoed ship Or shps.
leaving the survivors TO their fate
temporarily AZ least The pur-
pose IS 10 curtail loss 10 an sbso-
ute minimum. Stationary ships
would provide too good a target
for even the poorest Of U-Doat
marksmen.
The commodore tuzeed a. Cap
tam L%eedscourt's sleeve. They
whispered together fer = few sec
onds before the captain spoke
again:
I have just been reminded.
gentlemen. that one n you ship
masters commands = trawler :"
He looked around the room. A
deep voice doomed from the far
corner.
Aye, sir, I command the Loeb
.Domond"
The Scots rich burr seemed TO
please the captain.
My compliments. sir. to your
self and the good Loeb Lomond.
m sure any vessel bearing so
stout a name would relish the task
II have in mind. Would YOU voI
unteer TO sail at the extreme rear
Of the convoy and pause to pick
up any survivors in case Of emer-
Igency? II is barely possible that
Ia submarine would risk staying
behind long enough to attack a
ltrawler-thst and the lowness of
Your vessel in the water would
make the target r poor one for
him. However, 1t is entirely vol-
untary and l cannot :"
The old tar was on his feet,
beaming like a harvest moon:
ON behalf of the Loeb Lomond.
sir, l accept the post. She's al
ways happy to help out the navy
The room echoed with deep
%throated, good natured laughter.
The friendly rivalry between the
two services was never so superb
ly evident. The captain flashed a
smile at the commodore.
And the navy is grateful" his
tone sobered. In conclusion, l
must point out to you that should
your vessel or vessels be over
taken by serious engine trouble. or
should faulty navigation or bad
weather cause you to lag behind
the convoy, you must proceed as
best you can to whatever port you
may choose. The escorts duty is
to remain with the main convoy
and s~trsgglers cannot be given
protection.
Somewhere around mid-ocean
a heavy escort from the Royal
navy, probably accompanied by
an aircraft carrier. will meet the
convoy. They will relieve the
Royal Canadian navy escort as
well as some of the Royal navy
ships assigned to special duties
from that point"
The commodore took over.
There is only one more matter
to bring before this conference.
You are under strictest secrecy
orders in being informed that we
have good reason to believe a very
%forceful attempt is to be made by
the enemy at some time during
this crossing to attack the convoy
and particularly the t~roopships.
Il cannot divulge any further
details but the information is suf-
~ficiently urgent TO prompt an order
from the admiralty that all
freighter captains be given fun
opportunity TO withdraw from the
convoy without any reflection
upon themselves. If they remain,
they must do so under complete
authority Of the escort command
and be prepared to sacrifice them
selves, If need be. for the safety
of the t~roopships. II any desire
TO withdraw. please do so now
He looked around the room. No
one moved. A salty smile wrin-
killed. the captains "sideboards
In which circumstance. gentle
men. I find nothing further TO oc-
Icupy this conferences attention
other than the happier business Of
joining IN a toast to our safe pas
sage together. II you will all step
into the lounge. you will find the
essential liquids awaiting your
pleasure"
10 Re Continued