Chapter I: Preface

The wonderful and brave story of ships and men here presented needs but the briefest introduction. The deeds will forever remain one of the most glorious chapters in the chronicles of the sea. No excuse is offered for adding another volume to the literature of the war, for the subject is deserving of greater attention than has hitherto been possible. Lord Jellicoe once remarked that he did not think English people realized the wonderful work which these mystery ships had done in the war, and that in these vessels there had been displayed a spirit of endurance, discipline, and courage the like of which the world had never before seen.

To few naval historians, I believe, has it ever been permitted to enjoy such complete opportunities for acquiring authentic information as is here presented. Unquestionably the greatest sphere of Q-ship operations was off the south-west coast of Ireland, owing to the fact that the enemy submarines from the summer of 1915 to 1918 concentrated their attacks, with certain intervals, on the shipping in the western approaches to the British Isles. It was my good fortune during most of this period to be at sea patrolling off that part of Ireland. These Q-ships were therefore familiar in their various disguises at sea or in harbour at Berehaven and Queenstown during their well-earned rest. Throughout this time I kept a diary, and noted down much that would otherwise have been forgotten. Many of the Q-ship officers were my personal friends, and I have enjoyed the hospitality of their ships. Valuable data, too, were obtained from officers of merchant ships who witnessed Q-ships engaging submarines.

A considerable number of authentic manuscripts has been examined. By the courtesy of commanding officers I have been lent documents of priceless historical value, such as copies of official reports and private diaries, plans, sketches, photographs, and so on. All this information has been further augmented by personal conversation, correspondence, and valuable criticism. I submit, therefore, that with all these sources of information available, and with knowledge of much that has been published from the German side, it is possible to offer a monograph that is at once accurate in detail and correct in perspective.

‘With respect to single-ship actions,’ wrote James in his monumental Naval History a hundred years ago, ‘the official documents of them are also very imperfect. The letters are generally written an hour or so after the termination of the contest, and, of course, before the captain has well recovered from the fatigue and flurry it occasioned. Many captains are far more expert at the sword than at the pen, and would sooner fight an action than write the particulars of one.’ That statement is true to-day of the Q-ships, and it would have been negligent not to have availed oneself now of the calm and considered version of the chief actors in the great mystery-ship drama while they are still alive. Although the time for secrecy has long since passed, nothing has here been included of a confidential nature that can be of assistance to enemies past or potential. In one instance, for political reasons and in the interests of the service, I have made a certain omission. Those concerned will recognize this and understand: the rest will not notice it.

Among those who have rendered me the greatest assistance in regard to information, advice, criticism, the loan of manuscripts, illustrations, and in other ways, I desire especially to return thanks to Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., and Miss Voysey, C.B.E.; to Captain F. H. Grenfell, D.S.O., R.N., Captain Gordon Campbell, V.C., D.S.O., R.N., Captain W. C. O’G. Cochrane, R.N., Commander Godfrey Herbert, D.S.O., R.N., Commander Stopford C. Douglas, R.N., and to Lieutenant G. H. P. Muhlhauser, R.N.R.

E. KEBLE CHATTERTON.
_March, 1922._

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE HOUR AND THE NEED 1

II. THE BEGINNING OF SUCCESS 13

III. Q-SHIP ENTERPRISE 26

IV. THE STORY OF THE ‘FARNBOROUGH’ 39

V. THE ‘MYSTERY’ SAILING SHIPS 52

VI. THE ‘MARY B. MITCHELL’ 67

VII. MORE SAILING SHIPS 77

VIII. SUBMARINES AND Q-SHIP TACTICS 92

IX. THE SPLENDID ‘PENSHURST’ 109

X. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS 132

XI. THE GOOD SHIP ‘PRIZE’ 143

XII. SHIPS AND ADVENTURES 158

XIII. MORE SAILING-SHIP FIGHTS 177

XIV. THE SUMMIT OF Q-SHIP SERVICE 192

XV. LIFE ON BOARD A Q-SHIP 213

XVI. Q-SHIPS EVERYWHERE 228

XVII. SHIPS OF ALL SIZES 242

XVIII. THE LAST PHASE 255

INDEX 273

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Q-Sailing-Ship _Mitchell_ _Frontispiece_

TO FACE PAGE

An Early Q-Ship (_Antwerp_) 6

Q-Ship _Antwerp_ 6

Commander S. C. Douglas, R.N. 8

Commander G. Herbert, D.S.O., R.N. 8

Q-Ship _Antwerp_ 12

Gun’s Crew of Q-Ship _Antwerp_ 12

Q-Ship _Redbreast_ 22

Q-Ship _Baralong_ 22

Q-Ship _Baralong_ (Two Illustrations) 28

Officers of Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 42

Captain Gordon Campbell and Lieutenant C. G. Bonner 42

Q-Sailing-Ship _Mitchell_ 68

Q-Ship _Penshurst_ 114

Q-Ship _Penshurst_ (Two Illustrations) 116

Q-Ship _Penshurst_ (Two Illustrations) 120

Captain and Officers of Q-Ship _Penshurst_ 124

Men of Q-Ship _Penshurst_ 124

Q-Ship _Tulip_ 138

Q-Ship _Tamarisk_ 138

Q-Ship _Candytuft_ 174

Q-Ship _Candytuft_ 176

Q-Sailing-Ship _Fresh Hope_ 188

Q-Ship _Record Reign_ 188

Q-Sailing-Ship _Rentoul_ 190

Q-Sailing-Ship _Rentoul_ (Gun Crew) 190

The Master of the Collier _Farnborough_ 192

Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 192

Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 194

Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 196

S.S. _Lodorer_ 196

Q-Ship _Pargust_ 198

Q-Ship _Sarah Jones_ 198

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 200

Bridge of Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 202

After the Battle 204

_Dunraven_ Doomed 206

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 208

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 212

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 214

Officers and Crew of the Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 216

Q-Ship _Barranca_ (Two Illustrations) 220

Q-Ship _Barranca_ (Two Illustrations) 222

Q-Ship Transformation 234

Q-Ship _Barranca_ at Sea 234

DIAGRAMS, ETC., IN THE TEXT.

FIG. PAGE

1. Action of _Baralong_ on August 19, 1915 21

2. Action of _Baralong_ on September 24, 1915 27

3. Action of _Margit_ on January 17, 1916 34

4. Action of _Werribee_ on February 9, 1916 37

5. Action of _Farnborough_ on April 15, 1916 45

6. Action of _Helgoland_ on October 24, 1916 63

7. Action of _Salvia_ on October 20, 1916 99

8. Action of _Saros_ on November 3, 1916 103

9. Action of _Penshurst_ on November 29, 1916 110

10. Action of _Penshurst_ on November 30, 1916 113

11. Action of _Penshurst_ on January 14, 1917 118

12. The Humorous Side of Q-Ship Warfare 127

13. _Farnborough’s_ Farewell 196

14. Action of _Pargust_ on June 7, 1917 201

15. The Great Decision 208

16. Letter from the First Lord of the Admiralty
to Captain Gordon Campbell 210

‘The necessitie of a Historie is, as of a Sworne Witnesse, to say the
truth (in just discretion) and nothing but the truth.’

SAMUEL PURCHAS in ‘_Purchas His Pilgrimes_,’ 1625.

Q-SHIPS AND THEIR STORY