HOW THE PATROL GOMES IN.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1917, Page 4

HOW THE PATROL GOMES IN.

“ THE NIGHT-HAWKS.”

The return of the Niglithawks,” a name by which the Navy patrol is known, usually Occurs about seven bells in the forenoon watch (11.30 a.m.) ; An oddly assorted lot are these hawks. On the edge of evening one may watch them vanishing seaward. And their going has about it an air of fnrtiveness, as though they wished to get awaj r as unobtrusively as possible for their noctnrrial flight. Knowing whither they are bound, and why, one feels that the suggestion of stealth in their movements fits well with tlie occasion. While darkness holds, the night-hawks are sentinels on the deep.. Hither and thither they fly, scouting warily for an enemy who is even more elusive than themselves.

A hard, exacting duty, full-spiced with danger. Upon the thoroughness with which the nigh thaw ks perform it largely depends the safety of our soldiers crossing tlie sea.-Though wings may grow weary battling with storm and eyes ache from intent peering into the darkness there can be no “ easing up,” no respite until the vigil has ended. Break 0’ day means only greater watchfulness, for the mists arid half lights of that period favour the sueakish foe. But as the sun climbs in the heavens the strain lessens. When morning has well advanced their task ends, and the nighthawks turn their heads joyfully towards home. One after tt.o other they wing back gaily- No discernible trace about - therri now of the prowling mood of over-night. In-place of it they show in their demeanour an evident satisfaction with duty well done. A fine, inspiring picture, too, their homecoming makes. *#. * * * The first glimpse one gets of it takes the form of an onward rushing wall of white foam, above which towers a dark object capped by a cloud yet darker still. As it harries nearer the dark object gradually reveals itself as a destroyer with smoke pouring from lier funnels. Approaching the harbour channels the destroyer turns slightly, and a string of brightly coloured banting floats out from her mast, thus announcing her identity to the watchers in the torts. Right on she goes, pays her respects to the Port Admiral’s flag in passing, then ties up for a rest after her night of labour. More destroyers follow in her wake. One after another they leap over the line of the horizon and come pelting onward, growing with almost ~ magic rapidity from met e specks into full-hnlled bulk, “ make their numbers,” and disappear into the haven. So the, game of “ follow my leader” continues with fascinating swiftness until all the “ flyers ” have spun by. A. brief interval, then one discerns the oncoming loom of a stumpy projection with a seethe of tumbling water all found it. This soon proves to be the conning-tower of a submarine. Behind it a line of similar “ stumps ” trails away in perspective until the last one shows only as a dot in the distance. But in a very brief time the submarines too are passing right under one’s eyes, each of them fluttering out her “ visiting card ” as she glides home.

Quickly other cra f t follow, some of them strangely shapeu, uncanny seerhing, arid difficult for the uninitiated spectator to class. Possibly a fussy little motor-launch or so pushes in. Then come the “dough-puricliers,” as Jack calls ..them. those liighp'rowed, high-pobped, slow-moving but iudoriiitable workers, tlie trawlers. Stolidly arid sturdily they trudge by —just' as stolidly and as sturdily as they have plodded over their “beat'’ the very personification of calm, unflinching courage Which ho perils can daunt.