124 CHALLENGER 



maintain her position in Convoy S.L. 98, which she had joined 

 for the voyage home. She therefore asked permission of the Senior 

 Officer of the 40th Escort Group escorting the convoy to 'make 

 all plain sail', and this granted, she hoisted her fore and mainsails. 



At sea in war-time the afternoon watch was often the most 

 peaceful and the younger officers were usually on watch through- 

 out the convoy and in the escorts. Finding time heavy on their 

 hands their eyes would turn to the strange sight of Challenger 

 with her well-filled sails and they would decide to send funny 

 signals to her Officer of the Watch. — '1 see the spirit of Nelson 

 is not dead' — 'Have you got your screw up?' But they little knew 

 that it was a strict rule of Commander Jenks that he should see 

 every signal that came into the ship, however paltry its import 

 might be. At this time of day he would often be snatching much 

 needed rest after a night shattered by the alarm gongs and illumi- 

 nated by snowflake rockets. By the time the signal reached the 

 cuddy this humour was definitely misplaced ! 



Fuelling at Londonderry, the ship passed north and east about 

 and reached Sheemess, where she paid oft her well-tried crew, 

 who had served Commander Jenks throughout two years of hard 

 surveying, and who had become welded into a great surveying 

 team. They went on their hard-earned leave, their crocodile skins 

 in their kitbags and a fine set of sailor's yarns from darkest Africa 

 to tell in their homely 'local'. 



Challenger was taken into Dockyard control for a major refit 

 for further service overseas. 



