A NAVAL VENTURE

"AIM LOW, SONNY! AIM LOW. YOU WILL SEE YOUR BULLET-SPLASHES"

Preface

In this book I have endeavoured to write a gun-room tale which will give a general impression of the part played by the Royal Navy during the Dardanelles operations, and of gun-room life under these conditions.

In writing it I have been greatly assisted by many shipmates—officers, petty officers, and men—who have been employed away from the ship, on various occasions, either on shore or in steamboats, tugs, or motor-lighters. From their accounts it has been possible to bring into the book descriptions of some interesting incidents and operations which did not come under my personal observation.

My thanks are due, more especially, to Lieutenant H. A. D. Keate, R.N., and to Lieutenant V. E. Kemball, R.N., of this ship, who have read laboriously through the manuscript as it progressed, corrected many errors of fact and detail, and suggested very many improvements to the story as a whole.

T. T. JEANS,
Fleet-Surgeon, R.N.

H.M.S. SWIFTSURE,

27th April, 1916.

Contents

CHAP.

1. The "*Achates*" goes to Sea

2. The Gun-Room of the "*Achates*"

3. Ordered to the Mediterranean

4. The Bombardment of Smyrna Forts

5. The "*Achates*" is Shelled

6. A Night's Adventure

7. Off to the Dardanelles

8. The Landing on Gallipoli

9. The "River Clyde"

10. A Night Attack

11. The Beach Party

12. Off Cape Helles

13. The Army comes to a Standstill

14. Submarines Appear

15. A Peaceful Month

16. A Glorious Picnic

17. A "Cutting-out" Expedition

18. Bombarding at Suvla Bay

19. The Army again comes to a Standstill

20. Hard Work at Mudros

21. The Evacuation of Suvla Bay

22. A Terrible Night