CHAPTER XV
Disabled
Not a sound came from the lips of the crew. Holding on to what came nearest to hand, they steadied themselves until the submerged craft ceased her violent motion. To add to the horror of the situation, the concussion had broken most of the electric lamps, and practically the whole of the interior of the submarine was plunged into darkness, save for the fitful sparking of the electric motors.
Yet there was no irresistible inrush of the sea. Somewhere aft could be distinguished the hiss of water as a thin stream forced its way through a strained seam.
"She's stood it, lads!" exclaimed the Lieutenant-Commander cheerily.
Producing an electric torch from his pocket the skipper flashed it on the depth gauge. The indicator registered seventy feet, and the vessel was still descending.
"Stop both engines!" he ordered. "Blow auxiliary tanks!"
Slowly the downward movement ceased, and upon regaining a depth of sixty feet the order was given to "stand by".
"Starboard horizontal rudder has jibbed, sir," announced one of the crew.