CEASELESS VIGIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 7

CEASELESS VIGIL.

TASK OF THE , ROYAL NAVY. LONG PERIODS SPENT AT SEA. LONDON, July 29. How British warships are standing up to the strain of a ceaseless vigil over the oceans and of successful encounters with elusive enemies after long chases is described, in London by a senior naval engineering officer. Many cruisers and destroyers have steamed more than 100,000 miles since the war began. This means that ships have, been staying at sea about 000 days in the year, with rare opportunities for overhaul and refit. Immediately before the decisive defeat inflicted on the Italians on March 23 at; Cape Matapan, the Fleet had steamed at high speed for 31 hours in order to catch up with the enemy. During the chase of the Bismarck, the engines of the battleship Rodney, though,more than 13 years old, put up a performance which exceeded anything previously attained. “Without going into too much detail,” said the officer, “you can take it that the elusive aircraft-carrier, Ark Royal, has seen a bit of the world since the war started.”—British Official Wireless.