Thanks, above all, to my American correspondents: theirs was a difficult and delicate position in view of the loyalty they owed to their country's neutrality; but while yet certain issues were in doubt their letters seemed to whisper: "Only wait—trust us—we shall yet be with you in deed as we are with you in heart."
To-day that prophecy is gloriously fulfilled. Sacrifice and sacrament are consummated: the Stars and Stripes are unfurled in the cause of true liberty, and Old Glory waves side by side with the banners of the Allies! Who dares doubt the end?
A word of explanation as to the title of the book may be desired by readers unacquainted with naval slang. "Snotty" is a dreadful word of, I am sure, libellous origin! But it is pure navalese. "Middy" is not a Service term at all, and the curly-haired "Middy" so dear to writers of fiction and comic opera has no existence in fact—he is a regular "Mrs. Harris"!
For all their youth, our Snotties are men in the best sense of the word, and right loyally do they cling to every tradition—written or unwritten—of that splendid Service to which it is their pride and privilege to belong.
His Mother
CONTENTS
| CHAP. | PAGE | |
| I. | Of a Picnic and a Tragedy | [1] |
| II. | Of a Hospital Ship and Sick Leave | [12] |
| III. | Fog | [21] |
| IV. | Naval Theatricals | [30] |
| V. | The Battle of Jutland | [44] |
| VI. | And Afterwards ... What Then? | [66] |
| VII. | Of Various Incidents | [70] |
| VIII. | Submarines | [80] |
| IX. | Of Examinations | [89] |
| X. | Of Shadow and Sunshine | [110] |
| XI. | Of My First Experiences as a Sub. | [120] |