"They were still dousing us with water, but the shells were not falling
on board now. The two German destroyers were sweeping down on the
helpless boat ahead, the missiles from their light guns playing a
regular tattoo on her. It was an even chance we wouldn't find a live
man aboard her.

"Ames was having a glorious time where he had propped himself against
the shattered bridge. He swore every time one of our shells missed and
he laughed gleefully every time one went home.

"We were only about a thousand yards from the British destroyer now and
it looked like there was a fair chance of getting her out of the mess.
I was beginning to have hope when I heard the screaming of a heavy
shell from one of the land forts. Exactly amidships of the destroyer
it landed. It broke her back and all her ribs, so to speak. Steam and
steel and water and men flew high in the air. Everything aboard her
was blown to bits.

"There was no use trying to tow her out now. I searched the water with
my glass for living men. I figured we might be able to save a few if
any survived, although it was against admiralty orders to stop when in
danger. I didn't believe in the admiralty's stand at that moment. But
I couldn't make out a living soul.

"The Germans immediately turned their attention to us. Their
marksmanship was getting better. There was a frightful jar and the
steering gear was wrenched out of my hands and I was thrown to the
deck. When I picked myself up there was nothing with which to steer.
Our rudder and a part of our stern had been shot away --