KEEPING THE TRADE ROUTES CLEAR 



very nice job," and it was " a very rough life," 

 they were all agreed on that point ; but there had 

 been nothing nice or easy in the fishing life to which 

 they had been accustomed. In the changed exist- 

 ence, however, there had to be added to the ordinary 

 risks of fishing the vastly increased danger arising 

 out of the war, the ever-present peril of the mine 

 in particular and the submarine and other enemy 

 craft. It was impossible to go to sea in home waters 

 or towards enemy and Allies' coasts without incur- 

 ring constant peril — and many a little vessel carried 

 on her work almost in the jaws of Germany. 



Of sweepers and patrollers that were lost in 

 carrying out their duties the number was large in 

 the first three years of war. Owing to the method 

 of work — these vessels operated in company — a 

 serious loss, when it took place, was known, and the 

 cause of it, mine, torpedo or gunfire, was ascertain- 

 able, but there were numerous instances of craft 

 disappearing and leaving no trace behind them. 



Some deep roar in the night would be heard, ac- 



apanied by a terrific flame, and it would be known 

 later, because a particular vessel did not return 

 from sea, that doubtless she had met her fate 

 through striking a mine. Or the explosion would 

 be seen and heard in the daytime, and there could 

 be no question as to the time and manner of a little 

 steamboat's fate. 



Such casualties were reported in connection with 



iceful fishing, as well as warlike operations. 

 Take the case of a Lowestoft smack which had gone 



147 



