“We shall have to get closer than this if we expect to see anything,” declared Lord Hastings.
He gave the command for fifteen knots, and gradually the D-16 forged ahead of the Queen Elizabeth and stood out before the whole fleet.
She made such a small speck as she floated gently upon the surface of the water, that Lord Hastings had no fear for her safety, and there she remained all during the day, while shells flew screaming past or cut up the water before and on all sides of her.
Twice the firing became so heavy that Lord Hastings deemed it advisable to submerge, and this was done. She reappeared in a new place each time, and her officers again ascended the bridge to watch the progress of the battle.
Along in the afternoon, the Queen Elizabeth, having almost dismantled two of the Turkish forts, steamed on past, unheeding the fire of their remaining guns and leaving them for her smaller sisters to dispose of.
Immediately their leader had made way for them, the other ships closed in and the fighting began anew, the new arrivals keeping the forts so busy that they had no time to pay further heed to the Queen Elizabeth, now farther up the strait, pouring her terrible shells into fortifications still farther along.
“At this rate,” said Frank, “we shall be in Constantinople almost before we know it.”
“Don’t fool yourself,” declared Jack. “Remember that in spite of the fact that the Queen Elizabeth is having apparently an easy time with these fellows, it will not all be smooth sailing. As Lord Hastings says, the further we progress the stronger the forts.”
“I know; but she can stand off and batter them also.”
“The trouble is that she cannot approach so close, and will have to depend more than ever upon the aviators to get her range; and it is more dangerous for the aviators over the inner forts.”