ndous explosion, heeled over, and sank. Only three
survived of her crew of sixteen.

Constant sea-perils are enhanced by war measures in the channels. On
open sea there is less confusion; the issue is narrowed to contest
between ship and submarine and the hazard of a derelict or floating
mine--there is ample sea-room in which to 'back and fill.' The coaster
has a harder task. His navigational problem is complicated by the eight
hundred odd pages of 'Notices to Mariners'--the amends and addends and
cancellations of Admiralty instructions relating to the seafaring of the
coast. Inner channels are confused by 'friendly' minefields or by
alteration of the buoyage; aids to navigation are suspended or
rearranged on scant notice; coastwise lights are put out or have their
powers reduced to small efficiency in the mists and grey weather.
Unmarked wrecks, growing daily in numbers, litter the sea-bottom; areas
are to be avoided to leave a fair field for the hunters; zigzag courses
in close proximity to the land sustain a constant anxiety. Above all,
navigation without lights increases the danger to all merchantmen and to
the patrols and naval craft that crowd the seaways of the coast.

Through all that the enemy can set against them, the home-trade vessels
proceed on their voyages. Their losses are heavy in numbers (if the sum
of their tonnage be not great), but the press of short sea-carriers that
passes up Channel or down shews no evidence that frightfulness achieves
an effect in holding them, loath, at their moorings. There is freight
enough for all. Every vessel that has a sound keel and a helm to steer
her is actively employed. Old craft and odd are come on the sea to serve
turn in our emergency. Barges and inland watermen, Hudson Bay sloops,
whilom pleasure craft, mud-hoppers reshelled, hulks even, are used; if
they can neither sail nor steam, the ropemakers can supply a
hawser--there is trade and bargain for a tow. After peace-years of
grinding competition with the freight-grabbing steam coasters, the
sailing craft of the smaller ports have found a new prosperity, from
which no risks can daunt them. Sailmakers and rigging-cutters, the block
and spar makers, have taken up their old tools again, and the gallant
little topsail schooners, brigantines, cutters, and ketches are out
under canvas.

The German boast that he can achieve victory by submarine policy could
be nowhere more plainly refuted than in the War Channel that