about noon
At that moment the sun broke through the murk overhead . Its rays shone brilliantly upon the patch of blue sea on which the submarine patrol boat steamed at such a rapid pace . The sunbeams pricked out the letters and figures painted so big upon the side of the craft and the Navy boys repeated in chorus : `` S. P. , Eighty-eighty-eight . '' The Navy boys arrived at the patch of shallow water over the Blue Reef at about noon . By that time the fog was pretty well dissipated , and they had a clear view of miles and miles of sea as well as of the coastline behind them and the narrow entrance to the cove . The submarine chaser was out of sight . No other craft appeared upon the open sea beyond the _ Sue Bridger 's _ present anchorage .