To: Captain Belknap.
Reply.—Thank you. For your hilarious Mining Squadron, a speedy trip home and have much regret in parting with such a brave bunch.
Clearing the island, we passed H.M.S. Lion, flagship of Vice Admiral Pakenham, who had commanded the support on our last excursion. The Lion was steaming back and forth across the way out, like a sentry on his beat, a ready check on any German ship that might attempt escape.
Replying to my greeting, the Lion flashed from Vice Admiral Pakenham:
I greatly regret that only a farewell signal is possible. You take with you not only my personal regards, but the gratitude and admiration of the Battle Cruiser Force and united wishes for a happy return to your country.
As the squadron passed out of the harbor, the garrisons at the entrance turned out and cheered and one of the seaplanes that had patrolled for submarines while the squadron was planting on some of its excursions sailed over and around the San Francisco, each time nearer, until he swooped by with a roar and a wave of the hand, so near that his wing tip passed not 20 feet from the bridge.
Three months afterwards came a letter from Vice Admiral Sir William C. Pakenham:
I trust old friends on your side have enjoyed return to their own country, but we miss them much over here. When your Force steamed through Scapa, I thought Providence as well as skill must have been on your side to enable you to pass through a period of such dangerous service, and yet to take all home.