“About 11.45 p.m.—We are nearing the jetty and are about 100 meters
from it after passing rapidly through the second diagonal. At my
request Dr. Paolucci swims off to explore in the direction of the
jetty, and returns in a few minutes to say that we can proceed.
During this pause I notice that a rather strong current runs northward
along the coast. We move on until we reach the jetty, and then work
along parallel with it, placing ourselves between our apparatus
and the jetty. We have a good hand hold, as the jetty is made of
blocks of cement, piled one on another. The current, too, is in our
favor. Everything is going smoothly, but we are losing far too much
time, so I venture to start the motor once more. This is not really
imprudent—notwithstanding the phosphorescence produced by increased
speed—for the breakwater, with large intervals between the cement
masses, surely cannot be patrolled at night by a sentry. We are in a
dead sector as far as sentries are concerned.
[Illustration: The _Viribus Unitis_, an Austrian Dreadnought Ready for
an Engagement in the Adriatic]
“12.30 a.m.—Still clinging to the jetty, we reach a group of chains
that are fastened to the top of the jetty and hang down toward the
water. I judge this may be the end of the last diagonal of the first
observation, and conclude, therefore, that we must be about 200 meters
from the small opening of the jetty. Dr. Paolucci again goes alone
to explore the opening. He soon returns with the report that we may
advance. We are under way again by about 12.45. When the opening is
clearly visible I silence the motor and we proceed hand-over-hand.