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THE NAVY
had to contend against that of the enemy, but in addition constantly against the elements and the countless number of mines sowed promiscuously by the enemy, to the detriment of neutral as well as belligerent shipping. The Navy's losses in ships and men have been grievous, but not greater than those of the enemy, and therefore relatively not nearly so great.
The new problem for the Navy was to find an antidote to the submarine; and this has been effectively evolved. In the first place, fishing-boats, trawlers, drifters, and yachts, to the number of 3000, were taken over and fitted with guns and other equipment of a secret nature. These were manned by a force of over
