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[Page 141]
1916.
height, & direction of the Zeppelins. About 6 p.m. a report was received that the light cruiser "Falmouth" had been torpedoed. Later, it was reported that she had been fired at with torpedoes no less than four times, two of which had struck her. The destroyer "Pelican", which was standing by her, sank the submarine by ramming it. When it became plain that we could not get in touch with the enemy, owing to the invaluable scouting by their Zeppelins, the Fleet made tracks for home. Apparently, the Germans had the whole of their submarine fleet in the North Sea, for on our homeward journey three torpedoes were fired at us, but, fortunately, all missed.
Aug. 20
The following morning at 5 a.m., we reached our base without mishap & completed with coal. The practical utility of the Zeppelin for scouting purposes had been strongly demonstrated to us, for it had solely prevented us reaching the German Fleet, by reporting our strength & movements constantly, at the same time being able to keep out of range of our guns. The only aerial scouts we could boast of were our sea-planes carried on board "Engadine", & an observation balloon, which could not rise to great heights & had to be towed with the Fleet, & which was primarily intended for spotting & observing the result of our gun-fire. It is very