Chapter I: Preface

In writing of the “biggest ‘mine planting stunt’ in the world’s history”—to quote a Christmas greeting from Rear Admiral Clinton-Baker, head of the British minelaying force—I have endeavored to make an account that would be readable enough for general interest, largely for the reason that, compared to other operations, our undertaking received scant mention at the time. Its very nature required preparation in quiet and precluded discussion of its progress. Unnecessary technical detail has therefore been suppressed, although much could be written that would be welcomed by those versed in it.

The whole account is based on data obtained at first hand. The description of assembling the squadron for a mining excursion fits the third excursion rather than the first, but the difference is a minor one, affecting only the numbers present—six ships on the first excursion, ten on the third. All the rest is correct, in substance and details.

Besides influencing an early armistice, this great minelaying operation marks an epoch in the use of submarine mines in warfare. It was an event in military history, as well as a prominent operation, and the credit for it belongs not alone to the officers and men who were actually present but also to those of the old mine force, to whose services in developing, in our navy, the art of handling and laying mines in large numbers, the success of the great operation was so largely due.

Details of the mechanical development of the new mine itself have not been gone into, for obvious reasons. Justice to that part could be done only by those who were directly concerned in it, but I am glad of the opportunity to express appreciation of the valuable service which was rendered to our cause in the war by Commander S. P. Fullinwider, U.S.N., in seizing upon and developing the long-sought means for such an undertaking, and by Lieut. Commander T. S. Wilkinson, U.S.N., and the officers and designing engineers in the Bureau of Ordnance and at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., by their skill and ingenuity in designing mechanical features, when normal experimenting was impossible.

As for the ships—the personal study which Captain J. D. Beuret (C.C.), U.S.N., made of the mine elevator problem was the foundation of its brilliant success, and the fact that, in the whole period of service, few alterations or improvements in the minelayers were found desirable, although suggestions were called for, is the best tribute to those who planned and carried out their conversion.

Only very inadequate expression can be given here to my appreciation of the services of my staff, in particular Captain H. V. Butler, U.S.N., whose excellent conduct of the flagship, supported by the indefatigable care of his navigator, Lieut. Commander J. C. Cunningham, U.S.N., made it possible to approach and navigate close to unmarked minefields in the open sea. And I was fortunate to have one so thoroughly loyal and capable as Commander B. L. Canaga, without whose unremitting attentiveness, and tactful management of countless details under difficulties, our performance would have been far less creditable.

Inseparable from our recollections will always be the excellent and friendly official and personal relations with the destroyer escort, especially when H.M.S. _Vampire_ led. Captain H. R. Godfrey, C.B., D.S.O., writes, “It was the determination of every officer and man in the 14th Flotilla, who had the honor of being entrusted with the screening of the U.S. Minelaying Force, that no preventable attack by enemy submarine or surface vessel should inflict damage on any ship of the Force.” It is but speaking for all of us to say, that is what we felt, from the first moment of that grey morning’s meeting on the day of arrival.

NEWPORT, 15 June, 1919.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

1. The Mine Force Ready 11

2. The Need and the Means 17

3. The Bases in Scotland 22

4. The Supply of Mines 25

5. General Supplies and Transportation 30

6. A Sample of Quality 33

7. Mine Assembling and Embarking 35

8. The First Minelaying Excursion 39

Squadron Organization and Ships’ Data 46

9. Athletics 49

10. The Squadron Complete 53

11. Tactics 57

12. Some Incidents 61

13. Signals 67

14. The Barrier Across 69

15. Finishing the Barrier 72

16. The Thirteenth Excursion 77

17. Results 82

18. General Living Conditions 86

19. Farewell to the Highlands 89

20. Scapa Flow 92

21. Home 94

22. The Mine Sweepers 96

23. The Mine Force, Old and New 98

24. After the War 108

Summary of Mines Laid 110

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

The North Sea Mine Barrage Frontispiece

Mine Assembly and Storage Sheds 22

A Mine in Mid-Air, Being Hoisted in 25

Launching a Mine Through the Stern Port 26

The Sequence of Operations After a Mine is Launched 27

A Mine Carrier Steamer 30

Mines and Mine Anchors Awaiting Assembly 35

Loading Mines into Lighters 36

Squadron Flagship _San Francisco_ 37

The Mine Squadron at Sea 40

Arrangement of Mine Tracks, Elevators, and Turntables,
in _Roanoke_ Class of Minelayers 51

The Squadron in Minelaying Formation 59

Approaching and Laying the Fourth Mine Field 63

The Boston-New York Passenger Liner _Massachusetts_ 101

The 20-Knot Minelayer _Shawmut_ 102

Organization of the Mine Force 105

THE YANKEE MINING SQUADRON