ing
their anchors one by one until four hundred mighty engines of war
slipped almost silently from their places, each leaving a trail of
black smoke behind. As you imagine the scene as it would appear to the
eye, can you realize its significance and what it all meant? Do the
people of the United States fully understand that but for England's
magnificent fleet their great coast cities would have been bombarded or
obliged to pay a ransom; and that without the Grand Fleet the war would
have been lost to selfish autocracy? Let us never forget England's
service.

The German line, each ship flying the German naval flag at the main
top, consisted of thirteen of the dreadnought or superdreadnought
class, seven light cruisers, and fifty destroyers, and was over twenty
miles in length. Each column of the Allied fleet was almost twice as
long as this. Over them flew a British naval airplane.

The surrendered ships, guarded on both sides, steamed on towards the
anchorage selected for them near May Island at the entrance to the
Firth of Forth; and reached there about two o'clock in the afternoon.
Admiral Beatty from his flagship, the _Queen Elizabeth_, issued the
following signal to the fleet: "The German flag will be hauled down at
sunset today. It will not be hoisted again without permission."

[Illustration: From left to right, Admiral Sir David Beatty, Admiral
Rodman, King George, the Prince of Wales, and Admiral Sims on the deck
of the U. S. Battleship New York, the flagship of the American warships
at the surrender of the German navy.]

A little later Admiral Beatty sent the following signal:--

"It is my intention to hold a service of thanksgiving at 6 P.M. today
for the victory Almighty God has vouchsafed His Majesty's arms. Every
ship is recommended to do the same."

And to every ship he sent a message reading:--

"I wish to express to the flag officers, captains, officers and men of
the Grand Fleet my congratulations on the victory which it has gained
over the sea power of the enemy. The greatness of this achievement is
no way lessened by the fact that the final episode did not take the
form of a fleet action. Although deprived of this opportunity, which
we so long eagerly awaited, and of striking the final blow for the
freedom of the world, we may derive satisfaction from the singular
tribute that the enemy has accorded the Grand Fleet. Without joining
us in action, he has given testimony to the prestige