stantly have
followed the explosion. However, the two men were not only saved but
seemed to have retained full possession of their faculties. Both of them
were knocked down and blown across the fire room. Their sensations were
at first a shower of flying coal, followed by an overwhelming inrush of
water that swirled them round and round and finally thrust them up
against the gratings of the top of the fire rooms."

THE ATTACK UPON THE TORPEDO BOAT CASSIN.

Another instance of self-sacrifice and unparalleled heroism is contained
in the account of the attack upon the torpedo boat _Cassin_ by a German
submarine, while on patrol duty off the coast of Ireland. The following
is the story briefly related in the official report of her commanding
officer:

"When about twenty miles south of Minehead, at 1:30 P.M., a German
submarine was sighted by the lookout aloft four or five miles away,
about two points on the port bow. The submarine at this time was awash
and was made out by officers of the watch and the quartermaster of the
watch, but three minutes later submerged. The _Cassin_ which was making
fifteen knots continued on its course until near the position where the
submarine had disappeared. When last seen the submarine was heading in a
southeasterly direction, and when the destroyer reached the point of
disappearance the course was changed, as it was thought the vessel would
make a decided change of course after submerging. At this time the
commanding officer, the executive officer, engineer officer, officer of
the watch, and the junior watch officers were all on the bridge
searching for the submarine.

THE ATTACK.

"About 1:57 P.M., the commanding officer sighted a torpedo apparently
shortly after it had been fired, running near the surface and in a
direction that was estimated would make a hit either in the engine or
fire room. When first seen the torpedo was between three or four hundred
yards from the ship, and the wake could be followed on the other side
for about four hundred yards. The torpedo was running at high speed, at
least thirty-five knots. The _Cassin_ was maneuvering to dodge the
torpedo, double emergency full speed ahead having been signalled from
the engine room and the rudder put hard left as soon as the torpedo was
sighted. It looked for the moment as though the torpedo would pass
astern. When about fifteen or twenty feet away the torpedo porpoised,
completely leaving the water and sheering to