“It's a U-Boat, sir, I'm sure of it,” said petty officer Sykes as Clarkson stood beside him, the pinging echo of the Asdic resounding in the enclosed space, Sykes continually turning the control wheel as he followed the track of the target.
Clarkson ordered the Norwich to full speed ahead and in seconds, their routine patrol had turned into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Peter Hicks had joined Giles Clarkson on the bridge, together with the young navigator Lieutenant Bailey, who stood beside the voice pipe ready to convey the skipper's orders to the engine room. Leading Seaman Charlie Knox, still smiling, was at the helm, and two young ratings, Adam Phelps and Albert Taylor stood, one on each wing of the bridge, binoculars in hand, surveying the surrounding waters, which were suddenly b
