DRAKE'S DRUM AGAIN.

Bruce Herald, Volume LV, Issue 64, 21 August 1919, Page 5

DRAKE'S DRUM AGAIN.

SOAPA PLOW INCIDENT. AN UNEXPLAINED MYSTERY. Everybody knows the legend of Drake's drum, and the belief in the navy that it is always heard on great occasions. The 'Outlook' publishes an article by Mr Arthur Machen, founded on the statements of officers who were-present, as to how Drake's drum was heard for hours on November 21, when the German fleet surrendered to the British. It was not believed that the enemy would surrender without fighting, even in hopeless conditions, and every preparation was made for resistance. The strictest discipline prevailed, and every man was at his place when the fleet steamed to the rendezvous.

One of the ships was the Royal Oak, chiefly manned by sailors of Devonshire. She was flying on. that day u j magnificent silk ensign, made for her by Devonshire ladies. On, her bridge, GOft above the top deck, was a group of officers—Admiral Grant, Captain Maclachlan, of the Royal Oak, the commander, and others. It was soon after 9 o'clock in the morning Avhcn the German fleet appeared looming through the mist. Admiral Grant saw thorn, and waited. could scarcely believe, ho says, that they would not instantly open fire. (Then the drum began tobeat on the Eoyal Oak. The sound was unmistakable; it was that of a small drum being beaten 'in trolls.' At,.first the officers on the bridge paid little attention, if any, to the sound, so intent were they on the approaching enemy. But when it became evident that the Germans were not to show fight, Admiral Grant turned to the, captain of the Royal Oak, and remarked on the beating of the drum. The captain said that ho heard it, tout could not understand it, since the ship was cleared for action, and every man on board

was at his battle station. The commander also heard, 'but could not understand, and sent messengers all over the ship to investigate.' Twice the messengers were sent about tho ship, about all tho decks. They reported that every man was at his station. Yet the drum still continued to beat. Then tho commander himself made a special tour of investigation through the Koyal Oak. He, too, found that every man was at his station. All tho while the British fleet was closing round the German fleet, coming to anchor in a square about it, so that the German ships were hemmed in. And all the while that this was being done, the noise of tho drum was heard at intervals, beating in rolls. All who heard it are convinced that it was no chance sound, such as that of flapping stays. At about 2 o'clock in the afternoon tho German fleet was enclosed and. helpless, and the British ships dropped anchor, somo 15 miles off the Firth of Forth. Tho irrevocable ruin of tho .German Navy was consummated. And at that moment the drum stopped beating, and was no more heard. Those who heard it—admiral, cuptain, commander, other officers, and men of all ratings—held then, and hold now, on belief. They believe that the sound they heard was that of 'Drake's drum,' the audible manifestation of the spirit of the great sea captain, present at this hour of the tremendous triumph of Britain on the seas.