During the action off Heligoland in August 1914 the light cruiser
_Arethusa_ came under a hot fire. A shell penetrated the chief stoker's
mess, knocked a drawer full of flour all over the deck, but luckily
failed to explode.
A Cockney stoker standing in the mess had a narrow escape, but after
surveying the wreckage and flour-covered deck all he said was: "Blowed
if they ain't trying to make a blinkin' duff in our mess!"--_C. H. Cook
(Lieut., R.N.V.R.), 91 Great Russell Street, W.C.1._