H.M.S. Morea, on convoy duty, was coming up the Channel when the silver
streak of a "tinfish" was seen approaching the port side. The _Morea_
was zig-zagging at the time, so more helm was given her to dodge the
oncoming torpedo.
The guns' crews were at action stations and were grimly waiting for the
explosion, when a Cockney seaman gunner sang out, "I'll lay five to one
it doesn't hit us."
This broke the tension, and, as luck would have it, the torpedo passed
three yards astern.--_J. Bowman (R.N.), 19 Handel Mansions, Handel
Street, W.C.1._