"The department has ordered a concerted attack on Zeebrugge. The
allied armies have been making a successful drive in Flanders designed
at getting in behind the German U-boat bases. It seems to be the
consensus of opinion among the naval strategists of our own country,
as well as in England and France, that the only way to stop the
German submarine is to cut off the Germans at their naval bases.
That is the aim of the land drive, and now it is the navy's turn."

He paused for a moment, and then continued:

"But now, to be more explicit. Here are the orders that I have just
received from the Admiral, in conference with other American and
English naval commanders. A picked fleet from the allied navies has
been selected for the attack on Zeebrugge. Our American submarines
are to lead the way. We are expected to worm our way inside the
enemy port and open the attack, Then the battleships will open fire
on the coast fortifications.

"I'll give you a bit of information that you probably don't know. In
the _Monitor_ when she was captured in the U-boat base below
Blankenberghe---thanks to Mr. Hammond's courage and initiative---was
found a complete chart of the approach to Zeebrugge. Mines, nets,
and other impediments all marked off."

"We think we have the key to the situation in that chart."

Captain McClure---who had attained that rank at the time Jack and Ted
were made lieutenants---further explained that he had been designated
in command of the ten American submarines that were to launch the
spectacular attack. He said he would give his attention almost solely
to fleet maneuvers and leave the handling of the _Monitor_ to his
lieutenants.

"We will do our best, sir," said Jack, as he squared his shoulders.

The attack was to be staged the following night. Now for the next
twelve hours or so the crews of the selected warships were carefully
to prepare for the fray and to rest themselves.

The _Monitor_ was put in tiptop shape. Tenders came alongside and
gave her stores of fuel and ammunition. The giant torpedo tubes were
loaded and the ship's full quota of reserve torpedoes taken aboard.
The night and following day were given over to leisure hours. Jack
and Ted wrote letters home and to school telling of their promotions
and some of their latest exploits.

At nine o'clock of the following evening the submarine fleet received
the word to be off.

The attack was planned to be started at one o'clock