From the Captain’s Report:Action was taken in accordance with the orders previously issued . . .
"SO that’s that,” said Captain the Honourable Miles Ernest Troughton-Harrington-Yorke to himself.
The signal flags were already racing up the halliards—the Chief Yeoman had begun to bellow the names of the flags before the last words of the order had left his lips. It would be the first warning to the Admiral that the possible danger which they had discussed previously was actually materializing. The Italian fleet was out, as the reconnaissance submarines had hinted; and if it was out it could be trusted to be out in full force. How many battleships they had managed to make seaworthy after Taranto and Matapan no British officer knew quite for sure, but now he would know. He would see them wit
