IN ICEFIELDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 11

IN ICEFIELDS.

ROYAE CRUISE LINER. Empress Of Australia Speeded Up After Storm. REPULSE'S NOVEL GOODBYE. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. The Empress of Australia has entered the icefields. It is hoped to emerge to-morrow. The sea has abated and the liner has speeded up to 18* knots. The King and Queen last night watched escorting cruisers enduring a typical Atlantic "dusting." The liner is now 620 miles from America. H.M.S. Repulse, which took its departure for Home yesterday, carries letters to the Princesses from Their Majesties. The ship's leave-taking was unique in naval history. The liner slackened to ten knots in half a gale, and the Repulse moved up close on the port side, where Their Majesties were standing amidships. As the Repulse came abreast, her crew cheered and a Marine juard presented arms. The band played the National Anthem and then struck up "Here's a Health Unto His Majesty." The King took moving pictures of the huge seas breaking over the Repulse. A ■wooden barrel, to which were '. attached red, white and blue flags, and j containing mail and" photographs, was ' then thrown overboard. j The Repulse, by masterly manoeuv--1 ring, picked up the barrel by hooks and I then swung round on her return to 1 England. Their Majesties had earlier I watched the barrel being filled.