FISHERMEN IN WAR TIME 



Dutch boats were sunk he answered that the Ger- 

 mans feared that the British would employ the 

 fishing vessels to mislead the Germans and destroy 

 them by submarine attacks. The sea, added the 

 captain, must therefore be cleared of them. 



****** 



The story which has been told shows something 

 of what the fishermen did during more than three 

 years of war ; how they worked, how they fought, 

 and how they suffered. It is a record, in so far as 

 may be, of the'ir patriotism and heroism, their un- 

 flinching loyalty to duty and their constant fight 

 with death. 



Amongst so many gallant doings it is hard to 

 choose the bravest ; yet there must come to mind the 

 deeds for which the Cross was given to Skipper 

 Watt, the faithfulness of the wireless operator of 

 the Floandi, who in the heat of battle was writing 

 up his log when he was claimed by death ; and per- 

 haps above them all will loom in solemn grandeur 

 the noble sacrifice of that true patriot and hero, 

 Skipper Thomas Crisp, who, with his dying breath, 

 ordered his confidential books to be thrown into the 

 sea, and, refusing to be a burden to the survivors 

 of his sinking smack, said to his son, " Tom, I'm 

 done. Throw me overboard." 



THE END. 



