NAVY INDIGNANT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 241, 12 October 1933, Page 7

NAVY INDIGNANT.

MUTINY RUMOUR.

Sinister Interpretation of

Trivial Affair.

CANARD EXPOSED.

(United P.A.— Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LOXDOX, October 11.

Sensational rumours were current in Portsmouth of insubordination on the battleship Hood, but exhaustive inquiries by the correspondent failed to substantiate them. The Hood at present is in Cromarty Firth with the Renown. Members of the crew went ashore at Invergordon on Monday and there was no sign of trouble or discontent. Tho "Daily Mail" Invergordon correspondent says the rumour current in London and Portsmouth of a suggestion of trouble in the Hood has caused the greatest indignation in naval and civilian circles? Extensive inquiries on tho battlesTirps and ashore reveal that the only possible origin for the absurd rumour is regret expressed by the lower deck ratings of the Hood and the Nelson at the curtailment of shore leave for a dance at Invergordon due to an outbreak of scarlet fever. When the reason was .explained the discontent vanished. The crews are indignant at the sinister interpretation placed on a trivial affair.

FLEET EXERCISES.

Scarcity of Cruisers Blamed

For Postponement

SIGNIFICANT LESSON.

LONDOX, October 11

The Fleet exorcises, which weic to have begun in the North Sea yesterday, had to be cancelled owing to a gale preventing the departure of the convoys. The "Daily Mail" special correspondent with the fleet reports that the cancellation contains a most valuable lesson which already is apparent to naval men and they consider the public should learn it. This is the shortage of cruisers. The proposed attack on the convoys would in war time have depended for its success on sufficient cruisers of 5000 tons or thereabouts, but they were not available. Consequently it was necessary to substitute destroyers. Cruisers could have carried out the exercises, but with shams this would be impossible in such weather.

A cablegram from London on October stated:—The safeguarding of the Empire's trade routes in war time remains one of the greatest naval problems, and a further significant series of fleet exercises will begun on October 10 in the North Sea. These are designed to protect convoys. The exercises will more closely resemble war than those of any of the past two or three years. Battleships, cruisers and destroyers will participate in large-scale operations.