Commander Ford in the other boat hastened toward the spot and more grapnels were dropped.
Fifteen minutes later the men waiting on the deck of the submarine knew that the Southern Queen had been found. Commander Ford dropped a line with a buoy and the two boats headed back for the S-18. Fatigue was miraculously wiped from the faces of the boatmen as they pulled alongside, and Commander Ford gave them the information they all sought.
“Diving operations will start in the morning,” he said.
There was a joyous whoop from the crew of the S-18. This was what they had been watching for, a chance to get the treasure of the Southern Queen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Battle with the Iron Mate
Plans for the recovery of the treasure of the Southern Queen were talked over fully at mess that night.
“The wreck is in about 185 feet of water,” said Charlie Gill. “That’s not a bad depth in itself but the currents down there are tough. They might sweep a diver into a hole in the hull and he’d never get out.”
“Then you think we’d better take the S-18 right down beside the old ship so you can work out of our own hull?” asked Commander Ford.
“From the standpoint of the diver, that’s going to be the safest way,” said Charlie, “and it will be a whole lot faster. Once we get our hands on the gold we’ll be able to transfer it directly aboard the S-18”
Commander Ford nodded thoughtfully.