Without GPS, without radio navigation, and not even a complete map, Zhang Hainuo commanded his 1,500-ton U148 and all 48 crew members, including himself, through the dangerous Dover Strait and English Channel. After a full twelve days of sailing, the Azores finally appeared on the horizon.
As a territory of Portugal, the Azores had an excellent geographical location as a mid-Atlantic transit station. Many ships sailing in the Atlantic would stop here to replenish fresh water and supplies. Moreover, Portugal was a member of the Allies. Although they had not directly participated in combat against Germany since declaring an alliance with Britain and France in January 1915, they refused entry to any ships with German affiliations into Portuguese harbors.
Zhang Hainuo's purpose for coming here was not to replenish fresh water or to attack Allied ships passing through. Instead, he regarded this place as the first waypoint on his long voyage. Once past here, only half the journey remained to reach the eastern seaboard of the United States. However, unlike sailing along the coastlines of France and Spain, the next leg of the journey would be through the vast expanse of the open ocean until the American coastline came into view.
While such a journey might sound lonely, it also meant that Zhang Hainuo and his U148 could sail boldly on the sea. With a speed of 10 knots per hour, covering 240 nautical miles in a day, they could expect to reach the eastern seaboard of the United States within ten days, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
However, if an old fisherman were standing before Zhang Hainuo, he would surely tell the young German captain that one should never say "barring any unforeseen circumstances" when sailing the open sea.
Two days later, U148 encountered a fierce storm over 400 nautical miles west of the Azores. In Zhang Hainuo's four months in the Mediterranean and five months in the North Atlantic, he had never encountered such a formidable storm.
For a submarine, the greatest advantage when facing a storm was not worrying about being overturned by the waves. Moreover, when the sea surface was raging, submarines could safely hide beneath the surface, where it was relatively calm. However, as a product of the late 1910s, the batteries of the U139-type long-range submarine could only sustain it at full speed underwater for 90 minutes. In a suspended state, the air inside could last for 8 to 12 hours for the 48 crew members.
Unfortunately, this storm in May did not show any signs of stopping within a few hours. Giant waves continuously battered the submarine, which, despite being Germany's largest submarine, seemed as helpless as a small boat. Continuing forward became a luxury, and the crew prayed that the submarine's structure would hold up. Zhang Hainuo's wish was simply that his submarine would not be swept too far off course.
Under such extreme conditions where the rolling amplitude frequently exceeded 45 degrees or even greater angles, even simple tasks like cooking or using the restroom became highly challenging. Even drinking water had to be done with extreme caution. Moving between compartments became the most dangerous task, and the beds, which usually provided comfort, now felt like terrifying cradles.
"No! While others might stay back, I cannot afford to. What if enemy ships appear nearby? We won't even have a chance to evade!" Zhang Hainuo refused Edvin's well-intentioned persuasion, instructing his steward to bring several thick ropes to tie around his waist. In such severe rolling conditions, the periscope was rendered ineffective for observation. Hence, reaching the conning tower became the only means of keeping watch over the sea conditions.
However, on this submarine, the highest point—the conning tower—was also the most exposed. Without any protective measures, a single large wave could easily sweep a person standing on it overboard. Moreover, attempting to rescue someone from the sea under such harsh conditions would be even more challenging than resurrecting the dead!
"Lieutenant, let me go up!" Chief Mate Simon grabbed the rope in Zhang Hainuo's hand, his blue and profound eyes still filled with determination and sincerity.
Zhang Hainuo gave him a heartfelt smile and patted his shoulder affirmatively. "You steer! I trust you! Try to keep the ship balanced as much as possible!"
"Captain, let me accompany you. At least we'll have each other's back!" Edvin, without further ado, seized a rope from the steward, tying one end around Zhang Hainuo's waist and leaving about two meters of slack before securing the middle of the rope tightly around himself, tying a knot, and handing the remaining end to a nearby crew member.
After a brief pause, Zhang Hainuo nodded at him. "Good brother!"
Once properly prepared, the two began climbing up the ladder with raincoats on, clinging to the railings. Even before reaching the hatch, they had to exert much more force due to the severe rolling. As they opened the watertight hatch, Zhang Hainuo was greeted by a splash of seawater.
"Edvin, I'll go up first. Secure the rope, and then you come up!" Zhang Hainuo shouted loudly, though a gust of wind easily drowned out his voice.
Zhang Hainuo carefully climbed out of the hatch. Even in the midst of a rain of bullets, he never thought he'd need to make such an entrance, yet now the storm at sea seemed more terrifying than any British warship. After reaching the semi-circular protective shield about half a person tall on the edge of the conning tower, he quickly tied the thick rope in his hand to the pillar used for raising and lowering the periscope. This way, even if he lost his grip, he wouldn't be flung directly into the sea.
Below, Edvin leaned halfway out of the hatch, one hand on the ladder, the other pulling on the ropes tied around Zhang Hainuo's waist. Only when Zhang Hainuo had secured the rope in his hand did Edvin breathe a sigh of relief, and without waiting for Zhang Hainuo's signal, he began climbing up.
"Be careful!" A large wave crashed over, causing the submarine to tilt violently to one side. Without the ropes, the two men would have almost fallen off the conning tower. As the submarine regained its horizontal position, Zhang Hainuo noticed that their hands, clasped together due to exertion, had gone numb from the strain.
This was the bond of brotherhood, Zhang Hainuo thought. Once Edvin steadied himself, Zhang Hainuo used the rope to tie them back to back to the pillar of the periscope, allowing them to survey the surroundings 360 degrees without turning around.
"How long can we hold on?" Zhang Hainuo panted heavily, not expecting that tying the ropes in such conditions would also be an extremely strenuous task.
Edvin, also gasping for breath, but his response moved Zhang Hainuo deeply: "As long as you stay... I'll stay!"
"Good brother, as long as you stay... I'll stay!"
From noon until evening, Zhang Hainuo and Edvin stayed on the conning tower for nearly five hours, enduring
it like prisoners receiving punishment until the darkness completely enveloped them, and they could finally return to the submarine with relief. As the two men descended the ladder, they almost collapsed from exhaustion, but fortunately, the crew members caught them in time.
"Captain... Lieutenant..."
From the eyes of these crew members, Zhang Hainuo saw the comforting gaze of admiration. He had no doubt that leading by example in such a manner would bring about positive effects. However, he hoped even more that within a few short months, he could cultivate the entire crew into an indivisible team. This was crucial for his plan!