A Sub and a Submarine: The Story of H.M. Submarine R19 in the Great War Read online

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  cover art]

  A SUB AND A SUBMARINE

  BYPERCY F. WESTERMANLIEUT. R.A.F.

  "No boy alive will be able to peruse Mr. Westerman's pages without aquickening of his pulses."--Outlook.

  Sea Scouts up-Channel; or, The Cruise of the _Spindrift_.

  The Wireless Officer.

  The Third Officer: A Present-day Pirate Story.

  Sea Scouts Abroad: Further Adventures of the _Olivette_.

  The Salving of the "Fusi Yama": A Post-War Story of the Sea.

  Sea Scouts All: How the _Olivette_ was won.

  Winning his Wings: A Story of the R.A.F.

  The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge: April, 1918.

  With Beatty off Jutland: A Romance of the Great Sea Fight.

  The Submarine Hunters: A Story of Naval Patrol Work.

  A Lively Bit of the Front: A Tale of the New Zealand Rifles on theWestern Front.

  A Sub and a Submarine: The Story of H.M. Submarine R19 in the GreatWar.

  Under the White Ensign: A Naval Story of the Great War.

  The Dispatch-Riders: The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclistswith the Belgian Forces.

  Rounding up the Raider: A Naval Story of the Great War.

  The Fight for Constantinople: A Tale of the Gallipoli Peninsula.

  A Lad of Grit: A Story of Restoration Times.

  LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, LTD., 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.

  ANOTHER AND ANOTHER SHELL SPED FROM THE SUBMARINE'SGUNS]

  A SUBAND A SUBMARINE

  The Story of H.M. Submarine R19in the Great War

  BY

  PERCY F. WESTERMANLieut. R.A.F.

  Author of "A Lively Bit of the Front""Under the White Ensign""Rounding Up the Raider"&c. &c.

  _Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson_

  BLACKIE AND SON LIMITEDLONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY_Printed in Great Britain_

  Contents

  CHAP.

  I. FLIRT'S INDISCRETION II. AN ULTIMATUM III. THE SUB'S STRATAGEM IV. BOUND FOR THE BALTIC V. THE STOWAWAY VI. THE ZEPPELIN HUNT VII. A DOUBLE BAG VIII. "ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN" IX. DRIFTING MINES X. THE "HAVORNEN'S" WARNING XI. CAUGHT IN THE NET XII. "AWAY DIVING-PARTY!" XIII. KAPITAN-LEUTNANT VON HOPPNER'S PROWESS XIV. THE WAY OUT XV. PICKING UP THE PILOT XVI. THE BATTLE OF MOON SOUND XVII. HIT XVIII. PINNED DOWN XIX. FORCED TO ASCEND XX. UNDER RUSSIAN ESCORT XXI. THE HOUSE IN BOBBINSKY PROSPEKT XXII. WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED XXIII. TRAPPED XXIV. FORDYCE'S TWO VISITORS XXV. "FLIRT, YOU'RE A BRICK!" XXVI. A FRIEND IN NEED XXVII. THE FATE OF KLOSTIVITCH XXVIII. RESCUED XXIX. THE CAPTURED CONVOY XXX. A DUEL TO THE DEATH XXXI. VON HOPPNER'S BOAST XXXII. "TAKEN DOWN A PEG" XXXIII. GOOD-BYE TO THE BALTIC XXXIV. HOME AGAIN

  Illustrations

  ANOTHER AND ANOTHER SHELL SPED FROM THE SUBMARINE'S GUNS_Coloured frontispiece_

  THE TOO FAITHFUL FLIRT

  AHEAD, ASTERN, ABOVE, AND BELOW, THE SHELLS BURST

  IT WAS MINDIGGLE

  "PASS UNDER MY LEE!"

  A SUBAND A SUBMARINE

  CHAPTER I

  Flirt's Indiscretion

  "Come here, Flirt! Heel at once!"

  Noel Fordyce had good cause to be anxious concerning his pet. It wasthe dog's first run with him for over five months, and, left duringthat period to well-meaning yet lax guardians, the animal had beenreported out of hand; while, in her great joy and excitement, Flirthad apparently forgotten the discipline imparted during puppyhood.

  Noel Fordyce, Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.R., was spending a fortnight'shard-earned leave at his parents' home on the outskirts of the navaltown of Otherport. For five months he had been on submarine patrolwork in the North Sea, including brief periods spent in a certainEast Coast port while R19 was replenishing stores and fuel.

  The Sub was a tall, broad-shouldered youth barely out of his teens.His complexion was dark; his eyes a deep grey that betokenedresolution and determination. His lips were full, and firmly set inrepose; but when he smiled he revealed an even set of white teeththat glinted in contrast to the mahogany tan of his weather-beatenface.

  He was in mufti. For one thing, it was a change to slip out ofuniform; for another, his uniform badly needed renewal. A strenuousperiod on board one of H.M. submarines is not conducive to longevityon the part of gold lace and blue cloth.

  Flirt was an Irish terrier, now in her second year. Fordyce wasdeeply fond of the dog, and she was devotedly attached to him; but,unfortunately, Flirt had already had her "first bite", and wasdeveloping a tendency to fly at persons to whom she took a dislike.

  Flirt obeyed the order to come to heel, but that merely aroused hersuspicions. Coming towards the Sub was a tall, loosely-built man,whose chief peculiarities were his abnormally sloping shoulders and ashuffling gait. Fordyce knew him by name, although he had neverspoken to him.

  He was Councillor Mindiggle, a retired "something in the City", whohad taken a house at Otherport a few months before the outbreak ofwar. Of a most plausible manner, and having strong Socialistic views,he soon gained a seat on the Town Council as a representative for aworking-class district of Otherport. Always carelessly and almostmeanly dressed, he nevertheless seemed well-provided with thisworld's goods, although he was reported to be a "near" man as far asspending was concerned.

  It was the sight of Councillor Mindiggle's shuffling feet that upsetFlirt. The dog never could tolerate a slovenly gait. Before Fordycecould stop her, she had flown at the man's legs, and was tearing downthe street with a piece of cloth between her teeth.

  "I'm awfully sorry," began the Sub. "I hope my dog hasn't bittenyou?"

  "Being sorry won't mend my trousers, Mr. Fordyce," replied theaggrieved man. "As for being bitten, I distinctly felt the brute'steeth. And it's not the first time she has flown at me. What have youto say to that?"

  "Of course what is done cannot be undone in this case," continuedFordyce, "but if I can make any reparation----"

  "The only reparation you can make is to have that dog destroyed,"interrupted Councillor Mindiggle. "What's more, I mean to take out asummons against you for not keeping a dangerous dog under propercontrol. Good morning!"

  The irate Mindiggle shuffled away, while Fordyce turned and walkedback to his home, whither Flirt had preceded him and, with the trophystill in her mouth, was awaiting her master.

  "What, back already?" enquired Mr. Fordyce. "Anything wrong?"

  "Yes, Pater," replied his son. "Flirt has flown at that Mindigglefellow. He must have hacked her some time ago or she wouldn't havegone for him like that," he added in defence of his pet.

  "That animal will get you into trouble," declared Mr. Fordyce; "or,rather, I get the worry of her, since you are away most of the time.It's a pity you can't take Flirt with you."

  The Sub had not thought of that possibility. A dog would lead a dog'slife indeed on board a submarine. But a more urgent problem offereditself.

  "Mindiggle swears he's going to take out a summons, Dad," hecontinued.

  "Then it's your funeral--or Flirt's," added his parent grimly. "FromMindiggle's point of view he's justified in taking steps, to remove apublic danger. I don't want our name to figure in the localpolice-court report, and you don't want to lose Flirt. So the bestthing you can do is to allow Mindiggle to cool down a bit, and thencall and see him. He may relent."

  Noel Fordyce took his father's advice. Already he had sufficientexperience of human nature to know that a man is in his best humourafter a good mea
l; so that evening he called at the councillor'shouse, prepared to eat humble pie for the sake of his canine chum.

  He was shown into the councillor's study, a large, well-furnishedroom, the window curtains of which were closely drawn. Over theroll-top desk was the only electric light that was switched on. Theglare shone directly upon a small packet, tied with cord, and sealedwith red wax. The Sub could not help noticing the address. Thewriting was in Russian characters, and was as follows:--

  RUSSIA, PETROGRAD, BOBBINSKY PROSPEKT, 19, M. VLADIMIR KLOSTIVITCH.

  Noel Fordyce could both read and write the Russian language. Inpre-war days he was in the Royal Seal Line, the vessels of whichplied between Newcastle and St. Petersburg, and, since the study ofRussian was regarded as a valuable adjunct to promotion, the lad hadstudiously applied himself to master the manifold intricacies of thelanguage.

  After keeping his visitor waiting a considerable time--Mindigglerightly guessed that it was a supplicatory call--the victim ofFlirt's animosity entered.

  "Quite enough mischief done," replied Mindiggle guardedly in answerto Fordyce's enquiry. "But I may change my mind about that summons.You mentioned the word 'reparation'. Well, you can do me a service;sort of wheel within wheels, don't you know."

  "In what way?" asked the Sub.

  "You are leaving for the Baltic in submarine R19 in about fifteendays' time," asserted Mindiggle bluntly.

  For some seconds Fordyce was completely taken aback. Submarine R19was certainly under orders for Cronstadt, but the secret was supposedto be known only to the Admiralty and the officers immediatelyconcerned.

  "What makes you say that?" he asked.

  The man shrugged his shoulders and looked the Sub fixedly in the face.There was something uncanny in the look. Fordyce felt as if thosesteely eyes were focused on a point in the back of his brain.

  "What I have said is so," replied Mindiggle. "Now, to continue.Knowing you are bound for Russian waters, I want you to take thissmall packet," he indicated the sealed parcel on the desk, "and handit personally to the addressee. To be open with you, I may mentionthat the contents of the packet consist of small diamonds, not ofgreat intrinsic value in this country, but considerably so in Russia.If you will agree to do this, I for my part promise to take nofurther steps concerning your dog's unprovoked attack upon me thismorning."

  "Why can't you send the diamonds in the ordinary way?" asked Noel."There would be less risk, and they could be fully insured. I presumethat you have no wish to evade the customs duties?"

  "You are very fond of that dog, I take it?" asked Mindiggle, evadingthe direct question.

  "I am, tremendously so," admitted the Sub.

  "Then this is my ultimatum. Either give me your word of honour toexecute my commission or your dog will be destroyed by order of thecourt."

  "You want me to transgress against the Defence of the Realm Act,"rejoined Fordyce with rising temper. "I'll see you to blazes first.More than that, it will be my duty to report this conversation to theproper authorities."

  "Do so, by all means," said Mindiggle suavely. "Do you think anyonewould take your word against mine--a prominent municipal officer ofthis town? Remember, we have no witnesses. I would also point outthat you have shown grave indiscretion (an unpardonable fault in amilitary or naval officer) by informing me of the date of departureof Submarine R19 and also her destination."

  "It's my belief that you are tin-hatted," exclaimed Fordyce. "Youmentioned those particulars: I did not."

  "Until you told me, Mr. Fordyce, I was quite unaware of the number ofyour submarine or of your date of departure," reiterated Mindiggle."I am afraid that in your agitation over the danger that threatensyour pet you have lost control of your tongue."

  "I've a good mind to lose control of my fist and to decorate yourfigurehead," thought Fordyce. "The fellow's tactics savour ofblackmail or something suspiciously like it; but if I lay him outthere'll be a most infernal row. Appearances will be against me."

  "Don't be a fool," continued Mindiggle. "It's quite a simple matter.No risk about it, and nothing to prejudice the safety of the realmand all that sort of thing, don't you know. Now, then."

  "I'll report the matter to the police," declared the Sub.

  "Do so," was the calm reply. "Would the police believe such anaccusation against a prominent member of the Watch Committee?Supposing--even supposing, mind--that they did take action andsearch my house. What would they find--nothing. Can't you realizethat I hold the whip hand?"

  "You can jolly well do what you like," answered the Sub.

  "Very good. To-morrow I take out a summons. If between the presenttime and the date of the hearing you decide to accept my terms I willimmediately withdraw the summons and your dog's life will be saved.Good evening!"