DANGEROUS   AREAS:    THE    WORK   OF   THE    FLEET   SWEEPERS      51

may be a mine caught in the sweep, or only a piece of wreck. The First Lieutenant orders the winchman to haul in. The wire comes in bright and burnished, proof that it has been running along the bottom.

" Clear the quarterdeck ! " commands the First Lieutenant.

The sweeping hands retire (but not far), leaving the First Lieutenant and the Buffer at the stern, peering intently for a sign of any object caught in the sweep or the otter as the winch hauls slowly in. Most of the ship's company line the starboard guard-rail, watching.

" It's wonderful what them wires'll tell you," says one, with his eyes on the sweep. " They'll generally start singing if there's a mine there. But you can't be sure till you've hove in."

Next moment the float reappears, bobbing and plunging through the water like a hooked shark, the staff" of the green flag cutting a veil of spray on either side. It is drawn closer and closer to the ship's quarter, but it is impossible to see the wire itself; the danger is that the mine—if mine there be—will be hauled out of the water under the counter before anyone can see that it is there.

When the float is about 30 yards from the stern it leaps out of the water and the otter rises for a moment above the surface, clear of whatever obstruction that caused it to sink. The ratings return to the quarterdeck to get the sweeping-gear in. By the time the fourth lap has been swept dusk is falling. Half the area has been cleared. The flotilla anchors inshore for security and continues operations at daybreak next morning, sweeping till dark with satisfactory results. The last lap is covered, the dans weighed. The Senior Officer's signal " In Sweeps " is hailed with relief, for it has been a long day for every man in the flotilla.

The Senior Officer makes a laconic signal to the Base : " Area cleared." The Bangors steam back to port at full speed in line ahead, taking flurries of spray over their bows.   As

they go, they see far away on the horizon two great convoys—one from the northward, the other from the south—approaching the water they have lately cleared. Not an hour has been wasted in speeding the trade on its way once it is safe to pass.

When the flotilla reaches port the Senior Officer receives a signal from the Flag Officer in command of the Base :

"In these days of rationing, I congratulate you and your ships on the number of eggs found during the last two days. You are entitled to crow."

" Many thanks," he replies, " fortunately we were not broody."

MARKINQ THE SWEPT CHANNEL. Behind the last of the sweepers comes a special vessel, the "danner." She lays dan-buoys, seen here on deck, along the limits of the safe area.