creature comforts. This fact perhaps gave color to the report
from Queenstown that our men were prepared in every respect save that of
clothing, a statement that was indignantly refuted by the Navy
Department, and a list of the garments furnished the sailors was
submitted. It was an adequate list and quite effectually silenced
further rumors on that score. As a matter of fact, no complaint ever
came from the jackies themselves. They had sea-boots, pea-jackets,
short, heavy double-breasted overcoats, knitted watch-caps, heavy
woollen socks, jerseys, extra jackets of lambskin wool, oil-skins, and
navy uniform suits--a complete outfit surely. In the meantime the young
women, elderly women, too, of the country were busily engaged in
knitting helmets, sweaters, mittens, and the like. Some of the girls,
more romantic than others, inserted their names and addresses in the
articles they sent to the sailors. Here is a little _jeu d'esprit_ that
one girl received from a sailor of Admiral Sims's command:

"Some sox; some fit!
I used one for a helmet.
And one for a mitt.
I hope I shall meet you
When I've done my bit.
But who in the devil
Taught you to knit?"

The reader may be sure that other, many other, more appreciative
messages were sent to the devoted young women of the country, and that
in many cases interesting correspondence was opened.

On May 25, 1917, Admiral Sims cabled to Secretary Daniels that Berlin
knew of American plans for sending our destroyers to Europe four days
before the vessels arrived at Queenstown, and that twelve mines had been
placed across the entrance to the harbor the day before the destroyer
flotilla reached their destination. The activity of British
mine-sweepers prevented whatever might have occurred. This gave rise to
considerable discussion in this country as to German spies here, and as
an instance of their work in keeping in touch with naval affairs the
following story was told in naval circles: When the oil-ship _Vacuum_,
with Lieutenant Thomas and a naval gun crew on board, sailed from this
country, the captain had instructions where to pick up British
destroyers at a certain point off the Irish coast. The _Vacuum_ arrived
at the designated spot, and before the war-ships arrived a submarine
appeared out of the water.

"I see," said the German commander, appearing out of the conning-tower,
"that you kept your appointment."

And then the _Vacuum_ was sent to the bottom. L