FISHERMEN IN WAR TIME 



jj 



it. " It is so notoriously false as to be ludicrous, 

 he said. Germany began a policy of wholesale min- 

 ing in the North Sea and the Atlantic from the day 

 war was declared. Many neutral vessels were sunk, 

 and it was only by the exertions of the British Navy 

 that many more were saved. The mines were laid 

 on important neutral trade routes and far out at sea, 

 and no notice of their existence was given. It was 

 not until the beginning of November, 1914, that the 

 first British minefield was laid. The limits of the 

 danger area were at once announced to the whole 

 world, and every possible precaution was taken to 

 prevent any damage to neutral vessels. 



That official statement shattered the German lie 

 and was another proof of the exceptional danger to 

 which all ships at sea were exposed because of the 

 promiscuous sowing of mines by the enemy. Ger- 

 many ran little or no risk, because she had no ships 

 at sea ; but the danger to all other countries was 

 grave and became lessened or eliminated only 

 through the persistent skilled efforts of the army 

 of fishermen who were clearing the seas of enemy 

 mines. 



During his visit to the Grand Fleet in June, 191 7, 

 the King went on board a mine-sweeping trawler 

 which was moored alongside a big warship. From 

 the larger ship the King descended a wooden ladder 

 which led to the sweeper's deck, and there he in- 

 spected the crew. Having done this, he shook 

 hands with the skipper and talked freely with the 

 men, asking them various questions concerning 

 their work. 



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