tward, eighteen large ships, to swell the tonnage that had gathered
from the Channel ports. From Kingsdown to the Gull, there was hardly
water-space to turn a wherry. Even in the doubtful holding ground of
Trinity Bay some large ships were anchored, and the fairway through the
Roads was encroached upon by more than one of us--despite the summary
signals from the Guardship. All types were represented in our assembly;
we boasted a combination in dazzle paint to set us out, and our signal
flags carried colour to the mastheads to complete the variegations of
our camouflage. Troop transports from the States, standard cargo ships,
munition carriers come over in the night from the French ports,
high-sided empty colliers returning to the north for further loads,
deep-laden freighters for London, ammunition and store ships for the
Fleet, coasters and barges, made up the mercantile shipping riding at
anchor, while naval patrols and harbour craft under way gave movement to
the spectacle. Snow had fallen, and the uplands above Deal and Walmer
had white drifts in the quartered fields. To seaward, we could see twin
wreaths of smoke blowing low on the water, marking the progress of a
flotilla of minesweepers, on whose operations we waited. A brisk north
wind held out our signal flags, shewing our ports of destination, and
the pilot cutter, busily serving men on the inward bound, took note of
our demands. In time, the punt delivered our pilot, and we hove short,
awaiting a signal from the Guardship that would release the traffic.

The teeth of the Goodwins had bared to a snarl of broken water that
shewed the young flood making when movement began among the ships. Long
experience had accustomed the pilots to the ways of the minesweepers,
and when the clearing signal 'Vessels may proceed' was hoisted at the
yard-arm of the Guardship, there were few anchors still to be raised.
Crowding out towards the northern gateway, we found ourselves in close
formation. Variations of speeds rendered the apparent confusion
difficult to steer through, but the action of a kindred masonry among
the pilots seemed to clear the narrow sea-lane. There was little easing
of speed; with only a few hours of winter daylight to work in, shipping
was being driven at its utmost power to make the most of the precious
time. 'All out,' stoking up and setting a stiff smoke-screen over the
seascape, we thinned out to a more comfortable formation, while the
smaller craft, t