Finally, at about 3 P.M. we entered harbour and secured at our usual berth.
I was in a bit of a funk that I should have to appear before a court of inquiry. However, it must be assumed that on the report sent in by my Skipper and the Commander of the ship with which we had had the misfortune to collide, the C.-in-C. was satisfied that everything possible had been done: that in the circumstances the collision could not have been avoided, and that no blame attached to the officers on watch at the time.
Nevertheless, since accidents must be sternly discouraged, the Captains were admonished, and warned that a still stricter lookout must be kept in future.... This was very rough on them, as naturally every precaution is taken to keep as keen a lookout as possible, not only with a view to avoiding disaster, but also in hope of locating and perhaps, with luck, strafing a U-boat.
The responsibilities of a Commanding Officer must needs weigh heavily, for it is obvious that the High Command can take no cognizance of that occult and fickle factor "luck," and naval discipline in war-time must be merciless.
Little wonder that the N.O. is inclined to be superstitious, and to burn incense at the shrine of Joss!
A week later, my ship being in dock, I was able to go home on two weeks' leave. Oh, most certainly collisions are severely to be deprecated!... But—the cloud had a silver lining!
_In common with so many of his contemporaries, it has been given him to condense into a few short years of extreme youth experience and adventure enough for a lifetime ... and who shall say what yet lies behind the veil of mystery and wonder that so mercifully shrouds the future. Gleaming bright with the gold of our dreams, or darkened by futile folly of our fears, no man may lift that veil and live.... But Faith shall make of it a thing of Beauty. Our cause is just._ _We give it our Best, in the belief that somehow—somewhere—it will be well with these our Beloved: and so it must needs be well with us._
_What matter to-morrow—there's courage enough for to-day._
"Gay gallant lives so oft at stake, Danger and you are such old friends That we have learned to mock it for your sake."
PRINTED AT THE COMPLETE PRESS WEST NORWOOD LONDON