MOTOR-BOAT PATROL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16204, 6 May 1918, Page 5

MOTOR-BOAT PATROL.

TO lIDi XDITOK O* "THE PRESS.'' Sir, —Included in your issue of today, May 2nd, I notice a leaderette, the subject of which is the motor patrol on the coasts of Great Britain. Being in personal touch by correspondence, with several of the men of the New Brighton and Redcliffs Yacht and Motor-boat Clubs, who left for England in 1916, x should like to supplement your remarks, as to tho work our one-time water enthusiasts are doing. The knowledge gamed in the old happy pre-war days on the river and estuary qualified most of them to enter the service in which they are now engaged. As far as I know they all rapidly gained the positions offered for active service, both as sub-lieutenants and engineers. Several sub-lieutenants while on patrol, have qualified for, and have been granted, a full lieutenancv, which shows a remarkable aptitude for the special and dangerous work thuy are daily engaged in. Our estuary men are on station practically all round the British Isles, and some, I believe, as far off as the Mediterranean. One estuary man was for a very considerable time in charge of the launches on a big seaplane ship in deep water, who says: "As I write this we are steaming 20 knots, in a heavy gale, without a light showing," proving toe danger |

and discomfort met with in the motor patrol service. Another describes the rapid, meteor-like flight of the M.L.s, often in very bad weather, to get out to a torpedoed thip in time to pick up the crew, work of a most exciting ana arduous character, as among the many jobs the patrol is engaged in. In conclusion, as you say, if the story of the motor patrol is ever fully written, it will be seen that the men who left our home waters, have, with others of this Dominion, worthily upheld the best traditions of British seamen of all services.—Yours, etc., H. N. HAWKER. New Brighton, May 2nd.