Brighton Boys with the Submarine Fleet Read online

  CHAPTER IX

  VIVE LA FRANCE!

  Ted ran aft to the engine room to get a fuller report on the newdanger that confronted the _Dewey_. There he found that what BillWitt had said was only too true. Either portions of the flying steelfrom the exploded mine had punctured the skin of the submarine, orelse the plates had been loosened by the detonation. The oil wasleaking away at an alarming rate and there was no way here in theopen sea to get at the leak. The _Dewey_ would have to go intodrydock before the repairs could be made.

  "But we can navigate with our batteries, can't we?" Ted inquired ofSammy Smith, who had come out of the wireless room to better acquainthimself with the _Dewey's_ newest tale of woe.

  Sammy was not at all comforting.

  "I understand the batteries, are pretty well exhausted," he said."They were just going to recharge when we ran into that mine. Blainesays we have only enough juice to last us two hours, moderate running."

  He paused for a moment as Ted grasped the significance of the situation.

  "Furthermore," Sammy continued, "we cannot dive to any considerabledepth."

  "With that leak in the reservoir plates Cleary and Blame say it wouldbe foolhardy to go down very far for fear the _Dewey_ would spreadwide open and we would be flooded."

  It was disquieting news, and Ted hurried forward to talk it over withJack. As he passed the control station he saw Cleary and Binns inanimated conference with the chief engineer. He surmised they weredebating the best course under the circumstances.

  In the bunk room Ted found Jack had revived considerably under theinfluence of hot bouillon and strong coffee provided by Jean Cartier,and a change of clothing with a stiff rub-down that had done wondersfor him.

  "Monsieur is a brave man; he wins the American Croix de Guerre forsaving the life of his commander so bravely," Jean was saying as Tedreappeared upon the scene.

  Jack was trying hard to be modest.

  "I'm feeling fine again, chum," was his rejoinder in response to Ted'squery. "Come along. I'm going to look in on 'Little Mack.'" Andgrabbing Ted's arm he walked off with him to the lieutenant's quarters.

  They found McClure now conscious, but very faint from his ordeal. It wascertain that he could not assume command of the _Dewey_ for some time.

  The boys clambered on deck to unlimber a bit. Executive OfficerCleary was in charge. In the commotion attendant upon the collisionwith the mine and the rescue of the submarine commander the disabledGerman cruiser had been forgotten. There was now no trace of the doomedship nor of the English "limey" that had been standing by.

  "What do you suppose we will do now?" asked Ted.

  "Reckon we'll have to drift around awhile and wait for somebody tocome along and give us a lift," said Jack hopefully.

  Night came on, but there was no response to the wireless call of the_Dewey_. Once a "limey" was spoken, but signaled in return that shewas speeding to the assistance of a Scandinavian liner that hadreported being under the shell fire of a German U-boat.

  Jack was ordered to turn in right after evening "chow" despite hisinsistence that he was perfectly recovered from his dip in the sea.Ted was to report to the conning tower at four bells for duty on watch.

  All night long the _Dewey_ tossed in a rough sea. At the appointedhour Ted took up his station as lookout in the conning tower. He hadinstructions to maintain a sharp watch for enemy ships and to keepActing Commander Cleary informed on all wireless registrations. Thehours passed slowly.

  Presently a storm rolled up out of the North Sea. Forked lightningand the distant rumble of thunder heralded its advance. The breezeincreased to a gale before long and the sea became rough and angry.

  Awakened by the tossing of the little craft and the ominous thunder,Jack appeared in the conning tower. Saluting the ship's executiveofficer, he declared he was feeling quite recovered from his strenuousdip in the sea of the previous day and quite ready for any service.Jack, accordingly, was posted at the reserve periscope. Ted was atthe observation ports in the tower and Officer Cleary at the otherperiscope.

  As the storm increased in fury the _Dewey_ was buffeted about like anegg shell.

  Ted was nursing a severe bump on the head, having been dashed by therocking of the boat against one of the steel girders. Hanging on tosupports, the crew of the _Dewey_ were having a hard time saving lifeand limb as they were tossed to and fro by the fury of the storm.

  When at last dawn broke over the troubled waters the gale began tosubside. Even then it was impossible to lift the hatches and go ondeck because of the rough sea. Waves mountain high were rolling overthe submarine, and to open the conning tower was to invite certaindisaster. There was nothing to do but wait.

  Toward six o'clock Ted made out a long rakish-looking craft that hadcome up out of the southwest. When it was reported to Officer Clearyand he had looked critically at the vessel for some time he declaredfinally that it was a destroyer, but yet too far off to hazard anyguess as to its nationality.

  He decided to submerge slightly and watch the craft for a while and,if it proved to be a German warship, to submerge entirely and takechances on the leaky fuel reservoirs. The _Dewey_ sank at hisdirection until the conning tower was under water.

  "It looks like a French vessel," declared the acting commander to Jacka few minutes later as the warship came nearer.

  He studied the approaching ship for a few minutes. "We will raisethe lid of the conning tower and unfurl the Stars and Stripes fromthe periscope pole," he said finally.

  "If it is a French destroyer we will soon find out; if it proves tobe a German vessel let's hope we will have time to submerge and givehim a torpedo. Will you take the flag aloft, Mr. Wainwright?" askedthe _Dewey's_ officer.

  Saluting, Ted took the proffered flag and declared he was ready tostart forthwith.

  Making a slip knot of the line, he motioned for the hatch to be liftedand raised himself out of the turret as the lid swung upward.

  The waves were dashing against the projection of steel and lashedtheir salty spray over the lad as he wrapped his legs about theslippery pole and began to climb. It was difficult work as thevessel lurched in the turbulent sea, but Ted persevered and succeededin throwing the noose over the end of the pole above the eye of theperiscope. Sliding deftly back again, unfurling the flag as he came,he was soon safe again in the conning tower.

  Maneuvering about for a few minutes in a frantic effort to attractthe attention of the unknown ship, the _Dewey_ was finally rewardedby the boom of a gun that was followed almost immediately by thebreaking out of the tricolor of France.

  "Vive la France!" shouted the excited group in the conning tower ofthe _Dewey_. The cry spread throughout the hold and there was greatrejoicing among the badly battered seasick prisoners within thestranded submarine.

  Still on guard against trickery, the destroyer approached warily withall guns trained on the _Dewey_. Jean Cartier was called into theconning tower and as the destroyer drew within range poured a volleyof joyous French expletives into the megaphone that had been thrustinto his hand. In short order the submarine had completely establishedher identity and acquainted the commander of the destroyer with thecondition of affairs aboard the _Dewey_.

  The French vessel proved to be the La Roque, and her commander gladlyconsented to tow the disabled American vessel into an English port.Commander McClure was made as comfortable as possible and the voyageacross the North Sea begun.

  The disabled submarine weathered the trip very well and was deliveredsafely at an English base by the La Roque after an uneventful voyage.

  Granted a shore furlough, Jack and Ted jumped a train and went up toLondon for their first visit in the famous city. For several daysthey took in the sights of the great metropolis, seeing, amongother things, a wonderful reception accorded American troops fromthe States marching in review before King George on their way tothe front, visiting Westminster Abbey and other notable places,looking in on the House of Commons for several h
ours and visitingthe American embassy.

  Letters awaited them from Brighton and they read with interest of theenlistment of more of their chums in the various branches of theircountry's service. Not the least important of their surprises was agreat box from home filled with warm clothing, cakes, candies, and"eats" aplenty.

  When they reported back again at their ship they found that the _Dewey_,slightly damaged, had been put into drydock and repairs were goingsteadily ahead. To their great joy they learned that LieutenantMcClure had not been injured seriously and was convalescing in anearby hospital. They visited "Little Mack," who by now had heardthe whole story of his rescue. Tears dimmed the eyes of the littlecommander as he expressed his thanks to Jack and Ted for their pluckypart in hauling him back to safety after the fateful mine explosion.

  By the time the repairs to the _Dewey_ had been completed LieutenantMcClure was able to assume command of his gallant little ship.

  Soon came orders for the _Dewey_ to proceed to sea again. This timethe submarine was to act jointly with a convoy protecting the passageof troopships across the English Channel to Calais, and thence intoaction off Zeebrugge against the German destroyers making that porttheir rendezvous.