CHAPTER V 



WAR ON FISHING CRAFT 



Throughout the war the Germans did their utmost, 

 by ever}' means at their disposal, to destroy their 

 enemies' fishing vessels, and particularly British 

 craft. No consideration of humanity or law re- 

 strained them. They deliberately fired upon and 

 sank steam and sailing fishing vessels that were 

 engaged solely in fishing ; in very many cases they 

 forced crews to abandon their vessels and take their 

 chance of safety in the small boats ; and the}- com- 

 mitted acts which were equivalent to wilful murder. 

 In these operations the}- were as cowardly as they 

 were merciless, for no courage was needed to attack 

 a fishing vessel which had not so much as an old 

 blunderbuss on board. 



A cluster of fishing craft, peacefully at work, 

 offered a target which was wholly to the liking of 

 the commander of an enemy submarine or other war 

 vessel. His brave German heart throbbed exult- 

 antl}', for here was an adventure which involved no 

 peril that he could not easily avert, and the assur- 

 ance of much applause, and at least an Iron Cross. 

 He rejoiced if he sank fishing vessels wholesale — 



73 



