The furious battle was on!
German aviators, having sighted the American submarines, were bending
all their energies on wiping out the "invisible mosquitoes." Guided
only by the telltale wake of the periscopes, they were dropping huge
depth bombs at random. One of them splashed into the sea directly
astern of the _Monitor_.
"We will have to act quickly now," urged McClure as he rang for full
speed.
So far, so good; not a mine had been encountered. The _Monitor_ was
worming her way unmolested into the heart of the enemy stronghold!
Convinced now that he had passed the guardian line of nets and mines,
McClure decided to dive and run for the inner recesses of the enemy
harbor. Now down, out of sight, out of hearing of the big guns, the
_Monitor_ relentlessly pursued her course, flouting the danger that
lurked on every hand.
At last came the moment when the commander of the submarine flotilla
decided to climb to the surface and make an observation.
With every man standing to his post of duty and every nerve strained
for the next move, the signal to pump out ballast was given and the
_Monitor_ turned her diving rudders to ascend.
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