The Glory of Zeebrugge and the ` Vindictive.' By Keble
Howard. (Chatto and Windus. is. net.)—Every one ought to read this spirited pamphlet, containing conversations with Captain Carpenter and others who took part in the gallant and successful adventure, as well as the official narratives and some remarkable photographs and plans. The seaplane photograph of Iphigenia ' and ' Intrepid' lying well within the entrance channel at Zeebrugge, with 'Thetis' sunk in the fairway just outside, is proof positive that the object was attained. Captain Carpenter said that he and Captain Holahan, who was killed, began to plan the attack last November, at the instance of Sir Roger Keyes. The expedition started twice before April 22nd, but turned back because the conditions were unfavour- able. Fifteen minutes before Vindictive ' ran alongside the Mole, the wind changed and blew the artificial smoke-clouds away ; but when Vindictive ' cast off and made for home, the wind veered round and blew the smoke towards the enemy batteries. But for this, the old cruiser might have been sunk. Captain Carpenter explained that the viaduct blown up by Lieutenant- Commander Sandford's old submarine was built with great diffi- culty in order to allow the tide to flow through the harbour and clear away the silt from the canal entrance. It would, he thought, take a long time to rebuild the viaduct, on account of the strong current. Meanwhile Thetis' would collect silt all round her in the outer channel, and might give even more trouble to the enemy than the other block-ships. The more we know about the enter. prise, the more we admire the skill and daring of the men who accomplished it.
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