s damped a little when it was
learned that the pilot was some way out to sea, and that his estimate of
his distance from the Zeppelin was sixty miles. On the 17th of November
the Admiralty suspected an impending raid by German warships, and
ordered that all available aeroplanes and seaplanes should be in the air
for the daylight patrol of Thursday, the 19th of November. But even war,
as the philosopher remarked, has its seamy side, and the enemy did not
appear.

This patrol work was tedious and, when the winter came, even dangerous;
a few pilots were lost and some spent hours adrift on wrecked seaplanes.
Here is the report of a December experience of Squadron Commander J. W.
Seddon, over the North Sea:

'I have the honour to report as follows on the circumstances of my
patrol flight with Leading Mechanic R. L. Hartley in Seaplane No. 829
from Grain on Thursday, 17th inst., which ended with the salvage of this
seaplane by the Norwegian Steamship _Orn_, who took us with the seaplane
to Holland; and also on the circumstances of our detention at the Hook
of Holland and subsequent release, and of the detention of the seaplane
at Rotterdam.

'1. _Diary of Events._

8.10 a.m. Left Grain. Wind Wly, moderate.

9.0 a.m. Passed over Galloper, continued eastwards
to investigate steamer proceeding eastwards
at high speed.

9.10 a.m. Steamer proved to be s.s. _Fulmar_ of Liverpool.
Turned back for Galloper. Wind
strong Wly.

9.35 a.m. Motor failed suddenly and completely.
Landed, nothing in sight. Sea moderately
bad. Failure due to breakage of
ignition ring, and though several attempts
were made and engine started on
each occasion, a lasting repair could not
be made. As I was not carrying an
anchor seaplane commenced to drift at
about 2 knots through the water E. by
N. (compass).

'I was feeling unwell when I left Grain and consequently was continually
ill; Leading Mechanic Hartley also was seasick at first.

'The seaplane commenced to settle on the port main float and about 10.30
the port wing float carried away. Leading Mechanic Hartley moved out of
his seat on to the starboard plane.

'The starboard wing float carried away about 11.15 a.m. and the trailing
edge of the