Or By Default [antikvár]

CHAPTER ONE Even as he reached for the voice pipe to the wheelhouse he knew that it was too late. With a shudder that caused him to grip the rail the ship went aground and took a list. The engines stopped as he called down, and then they threshed the water again as he ordered, "Full astern, both." But the destroyer stayed unmoved. "Gawd!" It was the cox'n, the Chief Petty Officer, standing at the wheel, who spoke, "She's on the putty." Lieutenant-Commander Peter Quane's face was still bent over the voice pipe, but he dug the fingers of his left hand into his forehead; he felt ill, but he must forget that; this was no moment for personal ailments. He heard the Officer of the Watch order the boatswain's mate to pipe "collision and grounding stations—close all water-tight doors and hatches." Every man went to his place, and soon Petty Officers were reporting for each section of the ship. Within a space of minutes officers of the watch came to the bridge. "All hands at collision and grounding stations, sir; all water-tight doors reported closed." "Take soundings roimd the ship." "Ay, ay, sir." A leadsman was already "in the chains," that small canvas apron, roped into the guard-rail, from where he gets a clear projection over the ship's side. Quickly this man, and another on the port side, made for the bow while Peter tried both engines full astern again. They had no effect. Soon the Officer of the Watch was at his side again. "There's only a fathom over the bows, sir. Same by the bridge—three over the stern." Peter nodded. Grim news as it was, it came as no surprise.