In the last year or two of the war these
wonderful little craft did great work, as in reasonable weather they could rush across to the Belgian coast and back again within the hours of darkness. We remember hearing at a C.M.B. base a story which illustrates the unconquerable nonchalance with which the young officers of the Navy.and of the R.N.V.R. carried out their very risky adventures. The engine of one of the coastal motor- boats broke down shortly before dawn while the motor-boat was waiting " on the other side " with her depth-charges for an expected submarine. Through the dark mist as the motor- boat drifted along the boy in command suddenly saw a great solid mass looming up not far away. He recognized it, and said to his mechanic, who was trying to make the engine work : " What do you think that thing is there ? " " Can't say, Sir," answered the mechanic. " Well," was the reply," it's Zeebrugge Mole!" Whereupon the mechanic retorted in a tone at once respectful but reproachful : " Didn't I always tell you, Sir, that you'd get into trouble if you didn't have this engine took down ? " Fortunately the engine worked again just before
light came.
