THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



105 



A STRING OF MINES ON THE DECK OE THE SAN ERANCISCO 



A few links in the American-forged chain which strangled the Prussian submarine snakes 

 in their nest. On each mine-laying excursion the American flotilla could carry a cargo of 

 live thousand of these mines (see page 96). 



toward hastening the construction, like 

 Perry's men building their own ships to 

 fight and win the battle of Lake Erie. 

 The only thing that really bothered us 

 was any delay in getting to the actual 

 mine-laying. 



• By June 6 all was ready for the first 

 excursion. As far as could be foreseen, 

 everything had been planned and ar- 

 ranged for. Courses and distances to be 

 steamed were listed, the formations of 

 the ships were prescribed for various 

 times, and a schedule was made for plant- 

 ing mines, accurate to the second. 



The instructions were complete as to 

 intentions, yet not so hard and fast as to 

 hinder action in emergency. All the cap- 

 tains had been in conference on board 

 the flagship San Francisco, and Captain 

 Godfrey, R. N., commanding H. M. S. 

 Vampire, the escort .leader, and I had 

 had a conference with Rear Admiral 

 Strauss, U. S. Navy, Commander of the 

 Mine Force. 



Departure was to be at midnight, the 

 two detachments to join at Cromarty 

 Buoy at 1 a. 111. The move was kept se- 

 cret, because news could be sent through 

 to the enemy in 18 or 20 hours — time 

 enough for an attack of some kind. 



THE HISTORIC DEPARTURE 



The eve of departure brings drizzling, 

 misty weather. On board the ships the 

 wise ones try for some advance sleep. 

 Midnight comes, and without signals or 

 lights or any noise but the clanking 

 chain, the flagship gets under way and 

 heads out. 



The signal quartermaster reports one 

 ship after another under way and follow- 

 ing. Fort George shows the signal for 

 an open gate, and as the second ship 

 passes out through the submarine net 

 they all form column astern and close up 

 to 500 yards apart. 



The full number of lookouts are at 

 their stations and warned to be alert, and 



