The firing signal was hoisted to the peak.
"Are you ready, Mr. Ordnance Officer?"
"All ready, sir."
"Sound a long blast on the siren."
The weird voice of the siren shrieked its warning over the waters, while the prow of the battleship was rolling up a great white wave as the ship raced along at full speed.
"Fire!" came the quick word of command.
The ordnance officer pressed a button, his eyes on the target.
A dull, muffled explosion followed.