EXTENT OF BRITAIN'S FULL SEA POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 187, 10 August 1939, Page 11

EXTENT OF BRITAIN'S FULL SEA POWER.

REVIEW BY THE KING.

133 Ships Of Reserve Fleet Inspected. IMPOSING DISPLAY. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) LOXDOX, August 9. With the British Fleets scattered in Home and foreign waters in a full state of preparedness and going about their normal occasions, the fact that the King this morning was able to review 133 ships of the Reserve Fleet, a complete Navy in itself, serves to emphasise the. extent of the nation's full sea power.

Stretching along 14 lines in a wide sweep in Weymouth Bay, which was happily sunlit after a dismal, rainy two months, the Fleet presented a brilliant spectacle. Small craft—the terriers of the Xavv—predominated.

The battleships Iron Duke and Ramillies, and the aircraft-carrier Courageous were outstanding figures, and others were the veteran cruiser Cardiff, which led the German Fleet to Scapa Flow, the destroyer Warwick, on which Sir Roger Keyes hoisted his flag at the Zeebruge raid, the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede, formerly of the Xew Zealand station, and the Broke of Admiral Evans' fame.

When the King arrived at Weymouth for the review the bathers left the water hurriedly, dressed and joined the crowds welcoming His Majesty. He boarded the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, where he was greeted by Admiral de la Flotte, Commander-in-Chief of the French naval forces and then went to the aircraft-carrier Courageous, where he inspected 1500 reservists. Splice Main Brace Order. The King is now on his way to Balmoral by the Royal train, says a British official wireless message, after spending eight hours with the officers and men of the Reserve Fleet. The inspection in Weymouth was carried out during intermittent drizzle. The traditional order to splice the main brace was signalled from the Royal yacht before lunch instead of at the end of the visit. The King also gave an order that the ratings should wear oilskins. Before leaving the Royal yacht in the evening the King sent the following message to the Commander of the Reserve Fle«t, Vice-Admiral Sir Max Horton: — "Please convey to all ranks and ratings what a great pleasure it has been for me to inspect the Reserve

Fleet under your command. The bringing forward for sea service of so many ships in a few days proves how smoothly the organisation works. Such efficiency and smartness attained in such a short time after commissioning, could only have been achieved by the enthusiasm and wholehearted co-operation of all hands, and it leaves no doubt in my mind that the Fleet will quickly reach a high standard of fighting efficiency.

"I realise what sacrifices are being made by many retired officers, pensioners and reservists, in leaving their homes to make possible this great and important addition to our naval strength. To all in the Reserve Fleet I send my hearty congratulations and good wishes."

Vice-Admiral Horton, in a message

in reply, said:—

The Vice-Admiral commanding the Reserve Fleet, with humble duty, has the honour to thank Your Majesty on behalf of all under his command for Your Majesty's gracious message. All the officers and men are deeply sensible of the honour which Your Majesty has done them by journeying specially from Scotland to inspect the Reserve Fleet, and Your Majesty's visit will encourage them to give their best in the task of bringing their ships to a high state of fighting effieiencv."