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Updated: May 28, 2025
Last of all came Jack Benson, after having lowered the short signal mast and made other preparations. Now he stepped inside the conning tower, swiftly making all fast. Then he called Midshipman Surles up the stairway to the tower wheel. "Do you think you can head due east, and keep to that course under water, Mr. Surles?" asked the young submarine instructor. "Yes, sir." "Take the wheel, then.
To one of the ten left on deck Jack turned and said: “You will take charge, Mr. Surles. Assume all the responsibilities of the officer of the deck.” In all, five of the midshipmen had commanded briefly before the laying-to signal was given. Hal Hastings then appeared on deck.
When the starting order came from the gunboat, just before the "Hudson" glided ahead in the lead, Mr. Surles gave the order to cast loose from moorings. The engine room bell jangled; Surles, for the first time in his life, was watch officer of a submarine torpedo boat. As they left the bay behind, the young man gave up his temporary post to a comrade.
He made all fast in the conning tower, then called Midshipman Surles up the stairway to the tower wheel. “Do you think you can head due east and keep to that course under water, Mr. Surles?” “Yes, sir.” Going down to the cabin floor, Jack ordered two more midshipmen to the tower as observers. “The rest crowd about me and ask questions while I handle the submerging machinery.”
"Pass the word to Mr. Surles to keep to the course," added Benson. Under the impetus from the electric motors, which were used when going under water, the propeller shafts began to throb. "We're going down, now, gentlemen," called Jack. "Observe the shifting record on the depth gauge, as we go lower and lower. Also, look out for your footing, for we dive on an inclined plane. Now here we go!"
Benson. I am not here to interfere with your acting in full charge of the instruction tour." Six of the cadets, of the engineer division, being below in the engine room, there were but ten on the platform deck. Jack selected one of the latter, ordering him to the deck wheel. "You will take charge, Mr. Surles," instructed Jack. "Assume all the responsibilities of the officer of the deck."
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