THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
but when a torpedo had missed the British, destroyer 143 by a matter of yards only it was evident that the Banks' lookout had not been mistaken. A second torpedo a moment later tore into the stern of a cargo boat, its direction proving that the first U-boat was not alone. But none had sighted the second sub, and after that first fire the Allied ships became silent and contented themselves with circling about the supposed lurking places of the U-boats and dropping depth bombs. Gray green water spouted over a wide radius, but the Huns had fled. For twenty minutes the destroyers dashed here and there, their sirens shrieking warnings to each other, while the Gyandotte, for want of anything to fire at, steamed back to her position, disgruntled. This was at a quarter past five and about one hundred and fifty miles west-south-west of the Naze, approximately 57 North and 4 West. The excitement lasted about one hour, at the end of which time the destroyers in action sped back after their companions. On the Gyandotte the command "Secure" was not given, however, and the crews stood by the guns. At shortly after six, twenty-two minutes after by Nelson's watch, the second engagement began.
This time three periscopes were sighted almost
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