Gradually, however, the leader
of the silent ships drew nearer. There was no mistaking the telltale
reports in the wireless room. Basing his calculations on the chief
electrician's reports, McClure figured the leader of the oncoming
squadron to be now not more than half a mile away and moving steadily
forward toward the desired range---a dead line on the bow of the _Dewey_.
Executive Officer Cleary at the reserve periscope was first to detect
the mass of steel looming up out of the darkness. Lieutenant McClure
swung his periscope several degrees to starboard and drew a bead on the
German warship an instant later.
"We'll drop this chap just as he shoots across our bow," declared the
_Dewey's_ commander.
Five hundred yards away came the speeding warship. It was close
enough now for the American officers to make out her outlines in
detail and to satisfy themselves that this was another member of the
raiding party out of the great German naval base in back of Heligoland.
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