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[Page 43]
Said at least a round dozen of these sub-aqueous optics had been reported. The Stokers off watch would spend half their time with their eyes roving all round our track with the result that the Officer of the watch had his hair almost turned grey by the number of false alarms caused by these over-zealous vigilants. These alarms were usually caused by a porpoise or other fish breaking water, a sea bird low down and showing the white under side of his wings, a wave crest curling white, or more often than not the swirl of our own wake as we zig-zagged on either side of our convoy.
In smooth water such as we were then in, a destroyer turning quickly sets up a small wave which curls over and breaks, travelling in the direction in which it is propelled by the destroyer's stern, and it is quite easy to mistake this feather for that caused by a periscope. Indeed it has happened more than once during this War that destroyers have fired at their own wake - which after a turn might be anywhere ahead, abeam or on the quarter depending on the angle of the turn - and even dropped depth charges on it.
The Real Thing
It wasn't until we got within a hundred miles of Malta that we got up against the real thing. It was just as we were sitting down to lunch that the alarm gongs rang sending everyone to their action Station. A few seconds later shells and torpedoes appeared to be flying in all directions. Three submarines had made a combined attack on the Convoy. The ship nearest to us was missed by a few inches. It was flat cabin and the periscopes showed up good and plain enabling the gunners to obtain a clear mark. The entire convoy opened fire although it was perfectly obvious that not more than three or them could see anything to fire at still I suppose that sort of thing is infectious when you are not used to being the proud possessor of one whole 4" or 12 pds. gun. Anyhow the noise is comforting.
The T.B.D's of course were off at full speed their ears laid well back and foaming at the mouth so to speak, at least they were spitting fire wherever a periscope showed itself.
To make things a bit more realistic the No. Two at the 4" gun on the writer's ship got his face in the way of the recoil and promptly got it smashed in, sprinkling blood in all directions. He was