[Sidenote: Capacity for self-maintenance.]
(_d_) Service in the Grand Fleet is noteworthy by reason of the fact
that the fleet is at never less than four hours' notice for going to
sea, so that liberty is restricted and whatever is necessary in the way
of overhaul and upkeep of machinery must always be planned with a view
to assembly in case of orders to sea.
[Sidenote: Mine-laying operation.]
[Sidenote: Readiness to attack difficulties.]
_The Mine Force of the Atlantic Fleet_, under the command of Rear
Admiral Strauss, is an independent unit, except that the mine-laying
operations are under the jurisdiction of the commander in chief of the
Grand Fleet, who has to choose the time when arrangements can be carried
into effect to furnish the necessary destroyer escort and heavy covering
forces. The arrangements made at home prior to the departure of the mine
force appear to have been well considered and thoroughly developed. The
mine-laying operations themselves give an impression of efficiency which
can only come from thorough preparation and complete understanding of
the work. The assembly of mines in the bases has been somewhat changed
by the necessity for certain alterations in the mine itself, most of
which are due to difficulties inherent in the application of the
operating principle of the mine. Here, as elsewhere, the cheerful
readiness of officers and men to attack difficulties and to surmount all
obstacles is producing results of magnitude and importance of which all
too little is known even in the Navy itself.
Pages:
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336