se. _H._ Hand pumps supplementing power
pumps in engine-room. _I._ Hatchway leading to engine-room. _J._
Hatchway leading to wardroom. _K._ Life-boat. _L._ Officers' cabins.
_M._ Hatchway leading to officers' cabins. _N._ Depth charges (2 or 4).
_O._ Deck box containing life-belts. _P._ Stern petrol tanks (2). _Q._
Officers' sleeping cabin. _R._ Officers' mess-room. _S._ Galley. _T._
Engine-room. _U._ Main petrol engines (2). _V._ Reservoirs of compressed
air for starting main engines. _W._ Foreward petrol tanks. _X._
Forecastle and men's quarters. _Y._ Men's lavatory. _Z._ Forepeak.]

"I explained that I had in mind two distinct
types. The first would have an over-all length of
about 50 feet, and would be fitted with high-speed
engines; such a boat would show a maximum of 25
knots. The alternative would be something around
80 feet in length, with slow turning engines and
a speed of 19 knots. I added that my preference
was for the larger and slower type.

"He asked how many units of that class we could
build in a year's time, and I told him that I
could guarantee fifty. He said that he would think
the matter over, and we parted.

"A few days later I had another interview and was
told that the British Government was ready to give
us a contract for fifty vessels of the larger
type, the whole lot to be delivered within a
year's time.

"On April 9th, 1915, the contract for fifty
'chasers' was signed.

. . . . . . . .

"The _Lusitania_ sailed on her last voyage May
1st, 1915, and a week later her torpedoing by a
German U-boat was reported. My English friend was
sailing that same day from New York, and we were
giving him a farewell luncheon at Delmonico's.
When the appalling news was communicated to him he
appeared much depressed, as indeed was natural
enough, and also very thoughtful. Before he said
good-bye he intimated to me that he intended
advising the Admiralty to increase the number of
'Chasers'; he asked me if I thought I could take
care of a bigger order. I told him that I could
guarantee to build a boat a day for so long a
period as th