of
profitable employment; no seamen lounging on the dockside streets
awaiting a 'sight' to sign-on for a voyage. Bulk of cargoes exceeded the
tonnage of the ships, and the riverside shipyards resounded to the busy
clamour of new construction. Advanced systems of propulsion had emerged
from tentative stages, were fully tried and proved, and owners were
adding to their fleets the latest and largest vessels that art of
shipwrights and skill of the engineers could supply. We were well built
and well found and well employed in all respects, not unready for any
part that called us to sea.

On such a stage the gage was thrown. Right on the heels of the courier
with challenge accepted, went the ships laden with a new and precious
cargo--our gallant men-at-arms. Before a shot of ours was fired, the
first blow in the conflict was swung by passage of the ships: throughout
the length of it, only by the sea-lanes could the shock be maintained.

Viewing the numbers and tonnage of the ships, the roll and character of
the seamen, we were not uneasy for the sea-front. With the most powerful
war fleet in the world boarding on the coasts of the enemy, we had
little to fear. The transports and war-service vessels could be
adequately safeguarded: the peaceful traders on their lawful occasions
could trust in international law of the civilized seas, on which no
destruction may be effected without cause, prefaced by examination. Of
raiders and detached war units there might be some apprehension, but the
White Ensign was abroad and watchful--it was impossible that the shafts
of the enemy could reach us on the sea. For a time we set out on our
voyages and returned without interference.

[Illustration: THE OLD AND THE NEW

THE _MARGARET_ OF DUBLIN AND R.M.S. _TUSCANIA_]

Anon, an amazing circumstance shocked our blythe assurance. In a new
warfare, by traverse of a route we thought was barred, the impossible
became a stern reality! While able, by power of their ships and skill
and gallantry of the men, to keep the surface naval forces of the
enemy doomed to ignoble harbour watch, the mightiest war fleet the seas
had ever carried was impotent wholly to protect us! Our Achilles heel
was exposed to merciless under-water attack, to a new weapon, deadly in
precision and difficult to counter or evade. Throwing to the winds all
shreds of honour and conscionable restraint, all vestiges of a
sea-respect for non-combatants and neutrals, the pacts and b