NATIONAL TRIBUTES 



The First Lord, in the same speech, referred to a 

 raid on a convoy in connection with which the Ad- 

 miralty had been severely criticised. This reference 

 was interesting not merely on account of the special 

 subject dealt with but also because it showed again 

 how ubiquitous and helpful fishing craft and fisher- 

 men were in the war. 



On October 16, 1017, the destroyers Strong! 

 and Mary Rose, with three small armed vessels, only 

 one of which was fitted with wireless, escorted a con- 

 voy of twelve ships bound from Norway to the Shet- 

 land Islands. During the night the small vessel which 

 had the wireless dropped back to screen a ship of the 

 convoy which had to stop owing to her cargo having 

 shifted. The convoy was then accompanied by the 

 destroyers, both of which were fitted with wireless, 

 as well as by two other small craft which were not 

 so equipped. 



Just as day was breaking on the 17th the Strong- 

 bcKc sighted two ships to the southward, which were 

 closing fast. Visibility was about two miles, and 

 the Strongbow, having challenged and received an 

 unsatisfactory reply, at once gave orders for action. 

 The enemy's first shot wrecked her wirele c s room 

 and did other damage, and though valiantly fought 

 by her captain and his officers and crew she was 

 sunk. 



The Mary Kn^r was immediately attacked by the 

 two ' rman vessels and blown up by a shot in her 

 magazine. 



The German ships, which were of a very fast 



175 



