four o'clock
From the faint registrations in the microphones he judged it to be a vessel of light draft -- probably a small cruiser or a destroyer . `` Well , we never lose an opportunity to do our duty , be the enemy large or small fry , '' observed McClure . After waiting for a few moments longer , and being advised of the continued steady approach of the ship , the young lieutenant decided to move in closer to get within better range , and then rise to the surface and `` look her over . '' It was well on toward four o'clock and soon would be daylight . Creeping along at half speed , the _ Dewey _ veered slightly to starboard and steered a course N.N.W. toward the oncoming craft . After cruising thus for a quarter of an hour the submarine was stopped altogether again and her captain conferred again with his wireless chief . `` She seems to have changed her course , '' announced Smith after listening intently at both port and starboard microphones .