Chapter Four
The Arrival of William Boyle: September 1915–June 1916
HMS Espiegle “Is far smaller than the classic Channel boats without even any of their basic amenities” (Storrs)
I
n September 1915, Captain Boyle at last had his wish and left his post as Naval Attaché at Rome. After the war had started, Boyle had become increasingly frustrated at being stuck in a backwater. “I could not face a second winter of comparative idleness in Rome.” He took his troubles to the ambassador: