MILLION WATCHERS OF FLEET DISPLAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 120, 22 May 1937, Page 9

MILLION WATCHERS OF FLEET DISPLAY.

LIGHTS AT SPITHEAD.

King Walks Steadily in

Heaving Sea

PRINCESS' GREAT ENJOYMENT.

TTirlted Press Association. — Copyright

(Received 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON, May 21

Standing on the quarterdeck of the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert last evening the King saw 300 warships simultaneously transformed into palaces of dazzling light.

The signal for lighting up was given by the launching of a bouquet of red, white and blue rockets from the Royal yacht at 10 p.m. Immediately every ship switched on lights which bathed the waters in a golden haze.

The biggest crowd in. the history of Portsmouth—estimated to exceed 1,000,000 people—watched the spectacle from the shingle. They saw searchlights weaving intricate silver patterns on the sky, then star shells, rockets and Roman candles bursting in flerv splendour. The illuminations ended at midnight.

A strong swell made the lines of the warships a little ragged this morning. Princess Elizabeth, who spent her first night at sea, was one of the earliest astir.

The King's first call was made in the Admiral's barge to the Nelson. He was received by Admiral Sir Roger Backhouse, Commander-in-Chief of the Home Floet, while flight 'planes roared overhead.

The King, escorted by the Duke of Kent as first naval A.D.C., next boarded the Queen Elizabeth, which is due to go to the dockyards for a big refit. His Majesty mounted the gangway to the haunting notes of the bos'un's pipes. As he passed down the Fleet from ship to ship the men paraded on the decks, bugles rang out a salute and the National Anthem was played.

Despite the heavy sea, His Majesty, who is Navy-trained, stepped smartly from the rolling barge to the gangway of each warship.

During the morning Navy bands also played the National Anthems of the foreign visitors. Princess Elizabeth watched her father's progress, waving a handkerchief and thoroughly enjoying her brief experience at sea. "Splice the Main Brace!" Cheer-after cheer followed His Majesty as he proceeded down the line, the visitors joining in, especially the crew of the French battleship Dunkerque. The sea became heavier later in the morning and the Royal barge was often hidden in a flurry of spray. The King sympathetically inquired into the conditions when he inspected the crews of each ship he visited. Informed that few of the recruits had failed, he replied: "I am glad because I know from my own experience what a good' life it is at sea.;" On completion of his inspection, the King lunched with the Queen and Princess Elizabeth on the Royal yacht. A number of senior officers, records a British official wireless dispatch, were invested .with the insignia of the Royal Victorian Order by the King on the Victoria and Albert. At about 1 p.m. the Victoria and Albert sent out the order to splice the main brace. This was repeated by all the flagships. An hour later the Eoyal yacht turned shorewards. Their Majesties were given a great reception on landing, after which they took train for London. King's Pride in His- Fleet. Large crowds gathered at Victoria Station to welcome back the King and Queen, and Princess Elizabeth. The Royal party was warmly cheered at the station and along the route to Buckingham Palace, where another big crowd had assembled.

Shortly ' afterwards the following message was issued to all navies by the King:—

"It has been a great happiness to me to return for even a short time to my old life at sea, and to the Service in which my early years were spent. All that I have seen in these two days has shown me that the traditions of efficiency and smartness which we cherish with such pride, are being worthily upheld. I offer to all ranks and ratings of the Royal navies my warm congratulations. "Equally glad have I been to see the ships of the merchant navy and the fishing fleet. "I know I am speaking for the whole Empire when I say how pleased and honoured we have been to welcome the warships from foreign countries at the review. I hope our visitors will take back with them the happiest recollections of their stay among us.

"The Queen and I send best wishes to all my seamen, and I look forward to further visits which I hope to pay them in the future."