On the first day of summer, 1918, the crewmen on the chasers at Corfu were experiencing the other extreme of weather: At the start of their tour of duty they trained during the coldest wiinter on record in New London, CT. Now in Corfu, Greece, it was almost unbearably hot.
Ens. George S. Dole writes home:
“Today is the first day of summer ... but nothing like the Maine summer. Have to wear tropical helmet for protection. It sure is hot here. When there is no breeze it is a considerable strain to stay on deck, as when we are on the line no awnings can be up. ... It sure is fascinating to see the planes go racing by overhead. You sort of envy the cool breeze they must be enjoying, while we stand dripping with perspiration most of the day. At night the decks are often so hot that you can hardly bear your hand on the under side.”
Hunters of the Steel Sharks: The Submarine Chasers of WWI, page 88.