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Durham, Victor G.

"The Submarine Boys and the Middies"

In the "Hudson's" complement of officers there were also
four midshipmen, but these latter ate in their own mess.
The time passed most pleasantly, Mr. Mayhew plainly doing all in his power
to atone for his late censure of the submarine boy.
Before dinner was over the small towboat was in the harbor. At the coming
of flood tide this towing craft had a hawser made fast to the gunboat.
With the help of some of the naval machinists aboard the "Hudson," both
submarine craft were also manned and hawsers made fast. Two cables were
passed ashore to winches to which power was supplied by the shipyard's
engines. When all was ready a mighty pull was given, the gunboat's own
propellers taking part in the struggle. For two or three minutes the
efforts continued. Then, at last, the "Hudson," uninjured, ran off into
deep water and shortly afterwards anchored in safety.
It was a moment of tremendous relief for Mr. Mayhew.
"Call the tugboat captain aboard, and I'll settle with him at my own
expense," proposed the lieutenant commander.
"I trust you will think of nothing of the sort," replied Jacob Farnum,
quickly. "In this harbor I wish to consider you and your vessel as my
guests.


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