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[Page 41]
all round the ship, and the engine room staff was on the qui rive to get way on the ship in the least possible amount of time. All the same it was a somewhat nerve racking process to come to a dead standstill right in the path of Fritz's coming and goings.
T.B.D. Attacked
However, not until May 14, 1918 did anything happen. By this time all the T.B.D's on the barrage had been fitted with this type of hydrophone, and we used to stop by Greenwich mean time simultaneously and listen for five minute periods so many times during each hour day and night. On May 14 the "Phoenix" which, after a period of listening, had first started to gather way again, in fact had worked up to about 12 knots (the speed of the patrol was 16 knots) when she received a torpedo fair and square amidship, killing the E.R.A. and stoker rating on watch in the Engine room and of course blowing a huge hole in her side.
The "Warrego" promptly got her in tow while the rest of the patrol scurried round looking for Fritz. Alas the poor old "Phoenix" quitely settled down, and the "Warrego" had to slip, and in twenty minutes we were one T.B.D. the less on the barrage, while Fritz escaped unseen and unknown.
Shipping Warned
The value of the hydrophone in its many shapes and forms has been conclusively proved during the late war, yet it must be confessed that in the deep waters of the Adriatic and Mediterranean vessels fitted with this instrument had but very few successes. But it was useful in this way. We were by its means able to inform the Authorities of the passage inwards or outwards of submarines and by the constant reports, as the submarine passed from one patrol to another, a very good line might be obtained as to its course, and shipping consequently warned. By this means no doubt many good ships were saved to the Allies.