st been served than the machinery began to slow
down until finally it ceased. Not a perceptible motion was now observed.
A pulsator or two were at work, and a slight rumble due to the action of
the dynamo came to their ears.

"I suppose we are now on the bottom," suggested Ralph.

"Yes; during the daytime it will be necessary to keep quiet. Even the
periscope may reveal our presence," remarked the captain.

A little information as to the activities of the crew during these
periods of rest may be interesting. Idleness breeds discontent and
mischief. It is upon the principle that constant work encourages
contentment and makes for efficiency, that the Germans require the
continued activity which was shown by the occupants of the submarine.

The vessel was manned by twenty-seven officers and men. The personnel
being as follows: A lieutenant, a sub-lieutenant, two under or petty
officers, a physician, a cook and two oilers, two first-class
machinists, and seventeen helpers, or seamen, although it was evident,
as the captain expressed it, that few of the helpers had seen much sea
duty.

While it is customary to divide the duties on shipboard into three
watches, during the period of twenty-four hours, so as to give each
squad a period of service every day at a different period, it would be
difficult to carry out the same regulations on board a ship of this
character.

The captain said: "I notice that they have practically two watches, one
taking up the duty from midday until twelve at night, and the other from
midnight to noon. Yesterday, I noticed the same shift that was on duty
in the morning continued at work all the afternoon, so it is possible
that every three or four days shift No. 1, which works from noon to
midnight, will be changed so that for the next four days the time for
their services will be from midnight to noon."

Attention is called to this method of doing duty so that the reader may
understand certain events which will be referred to later.

The personnel of the shifts was also changed at intervals so that while
the lieutenant during one shift would have at work a certain machinist
and petty officer, during the next or second shift thereafter another
machinist or petty officer would be on duty. In this manner all became
efficient, for they had the opportunity afforded of being drilled and
handled by different combinations of men and assistants.

CHAPTER VII

CAUGHT IN THE DEEP SEA NETS