THE FIRST SWEEPERS 



I am glad to be on board a trawler, amongst 

 you," his .Majesty is reported to have said, " and 

 pleased to see you all looking so well alter your 

 very hard work." 



Inquiring where the men came from, the King 

 was told that they hailed from Aberdeen and other 

 ports. 



" And have you had much success in catching and 

 sinking mines?" he asked, to which question a 

 young member of the crew replied that he thought 

 they had had their fair share. 



And how about submarines — any luck with 

 them?" the King continued. 



The lad replied, " No, sir, I'm afraid we haven't 

 had any of them down, yet." 



The King asked how they liked the life, and the 

 reply was, " Well, sir, it's a pretty bit rough, but 

 we manage to get through it." 



Another mine-sweeper was visited by the King — 

 a brave little ship on the wheelhouse rails of which 

 was boldly displayed the motto, " What I mine I 

 hold." The King was greatly interested in his in- 

 spection of the devices employed in sweeping for 

 mines. It was explained to him that the most recent 

 and perfected appliances had to some extent mini- 

 mised the very great dangers to which the men who 

 served in mine-sweepers were exposed. 



57 



