Our Navy in the War   By: Lawrence Perry (1875-1954)

OUR NAVY IN THE WAR

by

LAWRENCE PERRY

Illustrated

New York Charles Scribner's Sons 1919 Copyright, 1918, by Charles Scribner's Sons Published October, 1918

[Illustration: From a photograph by C.R. Eagle. ATLANTIC FLEET STEAMING IN LINE OF BEARING.]

THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE HON. JOSEPHUS DANIELS

A NEWSPAPER MAN WHO BROUGHT TO HIS TASK AS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY THOSE GREAT QUALITIES OF MIND AND CHARACTER WHICH FITTED HIM TO MEET WITH SUCH SIGNAL SUCCESS THE IMMENSE PROBLEMS WHICH THE WAR IMPOSED UPON HIS OFFICE. TO HIS FAR SEEING VISION, HIS BREADTH OF VIEW, HIS FREEDOM FROM ALL BIAS, HIS JUDGMENT OF MEN AND OF AFFAIRS, AND TO THE STERN COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS ARE DUE TO DAY THE MAINTENANCE OF THOSE HIGH TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY OF WHICH AMERICANS HAVE EVER BEEN PROUD.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

CHAPTER I

First Experience of Our Navy with the German U Boat Arrival of Captain Hans Rose and the U 53 at Newport Experiences of the German Sailors in an American Port Destruction of Merchantman by U 53 off Nantucket Our Destroyers to the Rescue Scenes in Newport German Rejoicing The Navy Prepares for War

CHAPTER II

Our Navy Arms American Merchant Vessels Death of our First Bluejacket on Service in the War Zone Vice Admiral Sims We Take Over Patrol of Waters of Western Hemisphere The Naval Advisory Board of Inventions Work of this Body Our Battleships the Largest in the World Widespread Operations

CHAPTER III

First Hostile Contact Between the Navy and the Germans Armed Guards on Merchant Vessels "Campana" First to Sail Daniels Refuses Offer of Money Awards to Men Who Sink Submarines "Mongolia" Shows Germany How the Yankee Sailorman Bites Fight of the "Silvershell" Heroism of Gunners on Merchant Ships Sinking of the "Antilles" Experiences of Voyagers

CHAPTER IV

Destroyers on Guard Preparations of Flotilla to Cross the Ocean Meeting the "Adriatic" Flotilla Arrives in Queenstown Reception by British Commander and Populace "We are Ready Now, Sir" Arrival of the Famous Captain Evans on the American Flag Ship Our Navy a Warm Weather Navy Loss of the "Vacuum"

CHAPTER V

British and American Destroyers Operating Hand in Hand Arrival of Naval Collier "Jupiter" Successful Trip of Transports Bearing United States Soldiers Convoyed by Naval Vessels Attack on Transports Warded Off by Destroyers Secretary Baker Thanks Secretary Daniels Visit to our Destroyer Base Attitude of Officers Toward Men Genesis of the Submarine The Confederate Submarine "Hunley"

CHAPTER VI

On a German Submarine Fight with a Destroyer Periscope Hit Record of the Submarine in this War Dawning Failure of the Undersea Boat Figures Issued by the British Admiralty Proof of Decline Our Navy's Part in this Achievement

CHAPTER VII

How the Submarine is being Fought Destroyers the Great Menace But Nets, Too, Have Played Their Part Many Other Devices German Officers Tell of Experience on a Submarine Caught in a Net Chasers Play Their Part The Depth Bomb Trawler Tricks A Camouflaged Schooner Which Turned Out To Be a Tartar Airplanes German Submarine Men in Playful Mood

CHAPTER VIII

Perils and Triumphs of Submarine Hunting The Loss of our First War Ship, The Converted Gunboat "Alcedo" Bravery of Crew "Cassin" Struck by Torpedo, But Remains in the Fight Loss of the "Jacob Jones" Sinking of the "San Diego" Destroyers "Nicholson" and "Fanning" Capture a Submarine, Which Sinks Crew of Germans Brought Into Port The Policy of Silence in Regard to Submarine Sinkings

CHAPTER IX

Our Battleship Fleet Great Workshop of War Preparations for Foreign Service On a Battleship During a Submarine Attack The Wireless That Went Wrong The Torpedo That Missed Attack on Submarine Bases of Doubtful Expediency When the German Fleet Comes Out Establishment of Station in the Azores

CHAPTER X