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[Page 11]
and presumably the "Jackal's" shells all fell short and the Austrians did not think it worth while to reply and by their gun flashes improve the aim of our ships.
By this time of course Brindisi had been acquainted with the situation and a considerable fleet of vessels including most of the Australian T.B.D's were in process of putting to sea in order to cut off the escape of the enemy.
By this time the position was this:- "Comet" leading "Torrens" following in the wake of the enemy with "Alarm" "Scimitaire" "Rifleman" and "Lizard" doing their best to form up astern. "The Gloucester" previously mentioned had slipped her moorings and at full speed was coming out of Valona to join in the fray. The "Jackal" still on the other flank of the Austrians continued to annoy them with his bow gun. On the "Torrens", seeing that the whole affair had developed into a stern chase with no immediate prospects of battle one of the members of the four inch gun's crew had gone below and brought up his mouth-organ. With this between his lips and shrouded in his anti-flash mask he played such ditties as "Will ye no come back again" and "Australia will be there" etc., by way of enlivening the proceedings.
Another stout heart - a stoker - on the alarm gongs sounding made a bee line of for the mess locker, he being in his hammock at the time. From the locker he abstracted half a loaf of bread and several rashers of bacon, after which he repaired to his action station in No. 2 boiler room. On being asked why he acted thus, he replied "I've bin 'ad this ruddy way before. On the ruddy "Orsetrylia"; seven ruddy hours in the ruddy stoke 'ole an' not a ruddy thing to eat", after which explanation it is reasonable to think the man was justified.
At about 1.0 a.m. the "Comet" developed engine trouble and had to drop out of the chase. This left the "Torrens" and the "Jackal" more or less on their own as their nearest ships were still some two miles astern. Had the Austrians turned then they could have mopped both ships up very comfortably, but they were too busy trying to get back home and escape our ships which they knew as well as we did were by now coming out of Brindisi in hot chase. The chase continued until 3.0 a.m. when all ships were recalled by wireless, and perhaps it was none too soon as by that time we were within a few miles of Cattano and might have fallen in with enemy cruisers at any moment. Somewhat disgusted we returned at reduced speed to our patrol ground.