Pretty soon Captain McClure emerged from amidships with the Admiral and after a formal exchange of courtesies the officers of the Monitor went over the side of the Pennsylvania and back to the submarine.  Captain McClure was engrossed in thought and as soon as he and his staff arrived on the Monitor he beckoned them to follow him below.

“Very important news, boys,” he began.

“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 in the morning under the cover of darkness.  Keeping in close touch, the submarines spread out over the sea like a huge fan.  Behind them at a distance of five miles moved the supporting column of dreadnoughts, battle cruisers, destroyers, scouts and mine sweepers—–­units in the great fleet bent upon the task of smashing the German stronghold.