r
weapons with skill and precision. Off Aberdeen in stormy weather, a
German submarine hove up from his depths for practice on a fleet of
trawlers. It was to be a _Redcap_ diversion: rapid fire, shrapnel, boats
thrown out hastily, common shell on the hulls of the trawlers--wholesale
destruction. But there was a mistake. A 'watch-dog' was among the
fleet--_Commissioner_, armed and alert. At an opportune moment she cut
her gear adrift, canted under speed and helm, returned the U-boat's fire
and sank her in five rounds. Submarine commanders soon realized that
'diversions' were risky, the target could now hit back. It was safer to
submerge when within range of anything larger than a row-boat. Even the
sailing barges acquired a sting. In proportion to her tonnage, _Drei
Geschwister_--a captured German, refitted to our coastal service--is
probably the heaviest armed vessel afloat.

In channel waters, look-outs must not be confined to the round of the
sea. To the U-boat's gunfire and torpedo, to the menace of moored and
drifting mines, is added a danger that rarely threatens the oversea
trader--an attack from the air. Striking distance from enemy bases has
given opportunity for exercise of aircraft. Zeppelin and seaplane have
their turns of activity in the North Sea and the Straits. Steering a
careful course in a sea 'foul with floating mines,' the Cork steamship
_Avocet_ was attacked by three aeroplanes. The action lasted for over
half an hour. Bombs exploded alongside, the bridge and upper decks were
scarred and pitted by a hail of machine-gun bullets. The master and mate
kept the aircraft at a respectful height by using their rifles--the only
arms carried. By skilful handling, Captain Brennell saved his ship. He
is probably the only seaman who has steered a deliberate course between
a 'fall' of bombs; swinging on starboard helm, 'three bombs missed the
starboard bow and three the port quarter by at most seven feet.' The
_Birchgrove_ was attacked by two seaplanes carrying torpedoes--a novel
adaptation. Again the use of ready helm proved a moving ship a difficult
target. Both torpedoes missed. Less fortunate was the _Franz Fischer_,
an ex-German collier. Anchored off the Kentish Knock, the night black
dark, the thunder of a Zeppelin's engines was heard overhead. Before
there was time to extinguish all lights, the huge airship was able to
take up a position for attack. One heavy bomb sufficed. _Franz Fischer_
reeled to a treme