LIFE IN THE SILENT NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 50, 27 February 1915, Page 13

LIFE IN THE SILENT NAVY.

I:; ' — ; (But little is heard of the immense amount of work achieved by the British fleet, which has, since the beginning of the war, ' I earned the title of "The Silent Navy." But that the whole of the."active vessels, from the greatest Dreadnought to the most , insignificant coast gunboat, are constantly engaged in the perilous .work of guarding the integrity of Britain's shores we may rest , assured. Photographers have not much opportunity to secure pictures on active service, but the three views above are taken by 1 Stephen Cribb under war conditions. (1) Keeping the lads in trim. Physical drill is carried out every morning after prayers. The Commander leads the way. (2) The dispatch of a boarding boat. A lieutenant-commander is in charge of the boat. The \ crew consists of intcrpretres, petty officers, and seamen, who are armed with cutlass and pistol. The duties of the boarding J boat are to examine the papers, and sometimes the cargoes, of"suspicious craft. (3) Sunday morning service aboard the i battk>ship Neptune. Round the guns officers and men and the chaplain and choir are singing "For Those in Peril on the '■ Sea." This is a famous sailors' hymn. We can picture this scene to-morrow, though our big naval battles of the post have in many cases been fought on that day. _Stephen Cribb, Sonthsea.