On seas that stretched beyond their farthest ken,
And drank deep draughts of ocean’s briny air
With keen delight, and sailed they knew not where.”
The last line was considered by Grieve as casting serious aspersions on his skill as a navigator.
From an Englishwoman in New York Harry received a letter which was voted “first rate” by all members of the Sopwith party. After wishing him the best of luck on his “daring venture,” the writer continued:
“I have followed the papers feverishly each day for news of your latest movements. And now the honour of the old Mother-Country rests on your success. You have just got to be the first across the Atlantic. May God speed you on your perilous but still wonderful flight.”
In a different strain was a letter received by Grieve from two young women in the cable office of the British War Mission in New York. It ran:
“Sir, do buck up, and start—we cannot stand the suspense much longer. Best of luck from two Cablettes.”
Grieve’s only comment was to the effect that their suspense was nothing in comparison with his own.