seven o'clock
A full head of steam was kept up , for there was no telling at what moment it might be needed . Came a shrill whistle from the farthest advanced British vessel , followed by a cry from the lookout aboard the destroyer : `` Here they come ! '' As the red sun rose above the horizon the first submarine appeared in sight . Soon after seven o'clock , twenty-seven German submarines were seen in line , accompanied by two destroyers . These latter were the Tibania and the Serra Venta , which accompanied the flotilla to take the submarine crews back to Germany . All submarines were on the surface , with their hatches open and their crews standing on deck . They were flying no flags whatever , and their guns were trained fore and aft in accordance with previous instructions from Admiral Beatty .