CHAPTER X
THE RAID SUCCESSFUL
The platoon which was commanded by Commander Adams was officiallydesignated as No. 1; that commanded by Frank as No. 2 and that commandedby Commander Hastings as No. 3.
Units were now landing rapidly and No. 7 platoon succeeded in placingheavy scaling ladders in positions, and then formed up to support Nos. 9and 10 platoons. Numbers 11 and 12 platoons were dispatched along theparapet, and reached the lookout station, where they were checked.Commander Adams and his men, who had again united with the partiescommanded by Frank and Commander Hastings, were some forty to fifty yardsahead of them, and both parties could make no headway along the exposedparapet. Meanwhile No. 5 platoon, which had been recalled from itsadvanced position, with Nos. 7 and 8 platoons were forming up on the Molefor an assault on the fortified zone and the 4.1-inch battery at the Molehead. This attack was launched, but before it could be developed thegeneral recall was sounded.
There was a cheer from the men. They knew by the sounding of the recall atthis moment meant that the expedition had been a success. Otherwise thefighting on the Mole would have continued.
The units fell back in good order, taking their wounded with them. Thepassing of the men from the Mole on to the parapet by means of the scalingladders was rendered hazardous by the enemy opening fire at that portionof the Mole. Several ladders were destroyed.
The men were sent across in small batches from the comparative shelterafforded by long distance fire from the battleships. Such rushes were madeas far as possible in the intervals between the bursts of German fire.
The landing parties re-embarked in the manner which they had left theirships--climbing to the deck of the Vindictive and then proceeding to theirdeck of the Vindictive and then proceeding to their various ships by smallboats.
This undertaking was hazardous, too, for enemy shells were falling allabout. Nevertheless, the most of the men reached their ship in safety, andfrom the flagship came the signal to retreat.
Upon returning to the Brigadier, Frank surveyed his own men. There hadbeen few casualties among them. Less than a dozen men had been killed andleft behind. Of wounded Frank counted fifteen. Immediately he ascended tothe bridge to report to Jack.
Jack greeted his chum with a smile. Although the Brigadier had been in themidst of the battle, and many German shells had found their marks aboardher, Jack was as cool and unruffled as before the battle started.
"What luck, Frank?" he asked.
"Good," Frank replied. "We held the Mole until ordered back. And you?"
"The best of luck. I've stuck tight to the Vindictive through the heat ofthe battle, and I believe our guns have done some damage."
"And the block ships?" asked Frank.
"They have been sunk at the mouths of both harbors, I am informed. Theraid has been a complete success."
At that moment came the recall signal from the flagship.
"See," said Jack, "there's proof of it. If we had not been successful, therecall would not have been sounded yet. There is still plenty of time ifwe needed it, and our damage has not been great enough to leave the jobunfinished."
Jack was right. The harbors of Ostend and Zeebrugge had been effectuallysealed. No longer would enemy U-Boats make nightly raids into the NorthSea, only to scurry back to their bases when it grew light. As a submarinebase, Zeebrugge was extinct. So, for that matter, was Ostend.
That the success of the British expedition had been a severe blow to theGermans goes without saying. No other single feat since the beginning ofthe war had done so much to dishearten them; and there is little doubtthat the sealing of their submarine bases did much toward hastening theend of the war.
British losses in the raid had been severe. The Vindictive, which had ledthe attack, had literally been shot to pieces and it was a miracle how sheremained afloat. The Brigadier, also, had suffered severely, but hercondition was not so bad that a few months in drydock would not besufficient to make her whole again.
A dozen or more of the little motorboats and coastal patrol vessels hadbeen sunk, and the loss of life had been heavy. Several others of thedestroyers had been badly damaged, but there was not one of the largervessels sunk or crippled so badly that she could not return to her homeport.
It still lacked an hour of daylight when the allied fleet drew off, itswork accomplished; and behind in the ports now sealed, the anger of theGermans flared forth anew.
The damaged British ships were immediately put into drydock in Britishports, and Jack and Frank at once returned to Dover to report to LordHastings. The latter greeted the lads with outstretched hands.
"It was a gallant exploit," he exclaimed, "and I am sure both you boys hadimportant roles to play."
"I guess we did, sir," Frank admitted. "At the same time, I'm glad to besafely back here again."
"I suppose, sir," said Jack, "now that the enemy submarines caught outsideare without bases, there is little fear of their attempting thetrans-Atlantic trip?"
"On the contrary," said Lord Hastings, "they are more likely than ever todo so."
"But they must have a base, sir," protested Frank.
"Not necessarily," smiled Lord Hastings.
"Then how will they replenish their supplies of food and fuel?"
"Well," said Lord Hastings, "if they can snare a victim every three orfour days it should be enough. From a merchant ship they can get all thefood and fuel they need before sinking her."
"That's so, by George!" Frank exclaimed.
"It stands to reason," said Lord Hastings, "that those submarines whichwere not bottled up in the harbors have been warned not to return. Now,it wouldn't surprise me a bit if they headed directly for America."
Jack grew thoughtful.
"It's too bad," he said at last, "that the Brigadier was so crippled thatwe cannot resume our interrupted voyage."
Lord Hastings smiled.
"I understand she is in pretty bad shape," he said. "So you don't thinkyou can go now, eh?"
"I'm afraid not, sir. A fellow can't cross the ocean except in a ship."
"True enough. But why are you in Dover now?"
"Why, sir?" Jack exclaimed. "Because we were instructed to report to you."
"Exactly," said Lord Hastings; "and in your pocket, I presume, you havethe same packet of papers the admiralty wishes turned over to SecretaryDaniels of the American navy department?"
Jack clapped a hand to his coat pocket.
"By George! I had forgotten all about them," he said.
"So I imagined. But it is my guess that the navy department still wishesthose papers delivered."
"You're right, sir. Here, I'll turn them over to you, sir."
Lord Hastings waved the packet away.
"Keep them," he said quietly.
"But--" Jack began.
"Great Scott," Frank put in at this juncture, "you must be getting denserevery day, Jack."
Jack wheeled on his chum.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Why, can't you see that you are still expected to deliver the papers?"
Jack sank suddenly into a chair.
"Now why didn't I think of that?" he muttered.
"And I suppose, sir," said Frank to Lord Hastings, "that another ship isto be put at Jack's disposal?"
Lord Hastings nodded.
"Exactly," he replied.
Jack was on his feet again immediately.
"What ship, sir?" he asked eagerly.
"The Essex, a sister ship of the Brigadier."
"By George! That's fine, isn't it?" exclaimed Jack.
"And do I go along, sir?" Frank wanted to know.
Again Lord Hastings nodded.
"You do," he replied, "together with the officers and crew of theBrigadier who survived the recent engagement. Your compliment will befilled from other vessels damaged in the raid."
"And where is the Essex now, sir?" asked Jack.
"Here," replied Lord Hastings, "in Dover. You are to go ab
oard thisevening."
"I can't get there too quickly to suit me," declared Jack.
"Same here," Frank agreed.
"Now, remember," enjoined Lord Hastings, "that I still am desirous of yourdelivering to Secretary Daniels the document I gave you."
"Is the Admiralty still unconvinced of the likelihood of submarinesreaching American waters, sir?" asked Frank.
"It is, but you know my opinion has not changed."
"I begin to agree with you, sir," said Jack. "At first I'll admit I wasskeptical, but the way you explain the matter it sounds reasonable."
"Well," said Frank, "I hope we get there in time to spoil their plans."
"Amen to that, my boy," said Lord Hastings. "But, I'll detain you nolonger. You both probably are anxious to get a look at your new vessel."
"But we have no sailing orders, sir," said Jack.
"You will have before morning," was Lord Hastings reply. "I don't like tohurry you off, but the truth is I'm busy and will have to get down towork."
"Sorry we have detained you so long," said Jack. "Goodbye, sir."
They shook hands all around, and the lads wended their way to the harbor,where they soon were put on board their new ship.
"And now," said Frank, "while we had a good time and all that, I hopethis voyage won't be interrupted."
"My sentiments exactly," Jack agreed. "I want to have another look atAmerica."