CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR
ever-presence of God to protect all these ships. There were several submarine attacks on the fleet but none were successful.
Once the entire squadron, through an error in the navigation charts, crossed and recrossed a German mine field without harm. Despite fogs and other obstacles, the barrage was laid without a single casualty or other mishap. What this means may best be understood when it is stated that this mine-laying squadron was known as the “Suicide Fleet.” The work was thought to mean certain death and this was based on the experience of the British mine-layers for, of their twelve original ships, nine are said to have been lost with all hands aboard.
Aside from his work as a Christian Scientist in the fleet, our chaplain provided entertainment and amusement for his men. On July 4, 1918, under the supervision of Chaplain Davis, an entertainment was given in Inverness by the men of the American navy to the officers and men of the British navy. It was felt by all present to be a significant event, coming as it did on Independence Day, and its result was to create a splendid spirit of cooperation between the navies of the English-speaking peoples. It is also interesting to note, that in this entire mine-laying operation the American and British navies worked side by side.
Chaplain Davis was detached from his ship for a short time by Admiral Sims and was instrumental in helping establish Christian Science Welfare Rooms at various naval bases in the British Isles. The room maintained at Inverness, Scotland, one of the bases of the mine-layers, was much enjoyed by the American sailors and was crowded to overflowing during the influenza epidemic at a time when the Y. M. C. A. hut
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