Heading the great British flotilla that moved out to sea again was the super-dreadnaught the Queen Elizabeth, Admiral Beatty’s flagship, aboard which were King George and Queen Mary, as they had been the day before.

Following the first twenty-five British ships steamed the American squadron, Admiral Rodman, aboard the dreadnaught New York, showing the way.  Following the New York were the Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Arkansas.  Behind the Americans trailed a pair of French cruisers, followed in turn by a few Italian vessels, after which came the remainder of the great British fleet.

So the flotilla moved out again and took up the positions they had held the day before.  Again every eye was strained to catch sight of the first German warship.  And at last came the cry, sounding much as it had on the preceding day: 

“Here they come!”

The German fleet that approached now came much more swiftly than had the flotilla of undersea craft.  This time the halt was made while the German flagship was abreast of the Queen Elizabeth.  Admiral Baron von Wimpfen put off for Admiral Beatty’s vessel in a launch.

Admiral Beatty received the German admiral on the bridge of the Queen Elizabeth, with him were King George and Queen Mary.  Admiral von Wimpfen made the formal declaration of surrender and it was accepted by the British admiral without ostentation.

The German fleet thus turned over to Admiral Beatty consisted of approximately one hundred and fifty vessels of all classes, including dreadnaughts, battleships, cruisers and destroyers.  Slowly these giant vessels fell into line now and steamed toward Harwich, the British ships, still cleared for action, accompanying them and watching carefully for the signs of treachery.

But no such signs showed themselves.  No longer were the Germans thinking of fight.  They had been decisively beaten, and they knew it.  Apparently they considered themselves lucky to get off so easily.

Still some distance off-shore, the crews of the German ships were transferred to the half-dozen small vessels that were to carry them back to the Fatherland, and British crews were put aboard the vessels.  Then, their eyes sad and watching what had once been the pride of Germany, the German officers and sailors began their cheerless journey home.

Again it was a night of festivity in Harwich, and in all England, and all allied countries, for that matter.  The surrender of the great German fleet was now a thing of the past.  Germany’s hands were tied.  She could continue the struggle no longer even should she elect to do so.  While a formal declaration of peace had not been signed, and probably would not be signed for months to come, the war was over, so far as actual fighting was concerned.

No wonder England, France, America, Italy and the smaller nations with them went wild with joy.  After four years of war, peace had again cast its shadow over the earth, and everyone was glad.