AUSTRALIA'S FIGHTING FLEET

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2581, 1 October 1915, Page 8

AUSTRALIA'S FIGHTING FLEET

CRUISER BRISBANE TAKES THE WATER AN HISTORIC EVENT By'TaleiraDli—Preßß Association—Copyright ' Wee. October 1, :0.15 a.m.) ' Sydney,' September 30. In the presence of Sir .Ronald Fergu-son-Munro (Governor-General), Sir Gerald Strickland, State Governor, and naval, ■ military, alid Parliamentary leaders and a big and enthusiastic crowd, the cruiser Brisbane was launched trom itlieCockatoo Dock. Mrs. Fisher, who performed the christening ceremony, wished the Brisbane' success, and opportunities to win new honours for Australia and the King's Navy. As tho cruiser took the water souvenir hunters in' launches got *in the way- and wero almost run down.' ' To avoid' collision the Brisbane's anchors •were not dropped, and she drifted until her stern struck the mud.. The services of three tugs were required to drag, her off. She was undamaged. • Ijio'Brisbane is the largest vessel ever launched in tbjs-Southern Hemisphere, and is the iirst cruiser to bo built in any of the British . dependencies.'.l ' At the official luncheon, Mr. A. Fisher, Federal Premier, claimed that the policy of an Australian navy had fully justified itself. The Sydney's exploit in sinking the Emden had. brought, into existence the name of Australia as a minor Power in a way no other nation in the 'world could have done. "We have made a good beginning with our navy, but we have to go much' farther."

Mr. Hughes (Attorney-General) said: "We : must continue launching ships , whether we lilio it or not." The great 'problem of the future must be sought in the Pacific. Ho hoped. that this would be'.the last war, but wd must prepare for eventualities. He was sure that those present .wiuld live to .see a squadron made up of Australian. Canadians and New Zealand'ships. Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson declared that the construction of the Australian Navy had been a triumph of polioy. It was a compliment to the British Fleet whicli was one of the main securities of the peace of the world. " Mr. Jensen announced that he liad decided to send to England engineers to. acquire knowledge with tlie object, of building submarines in Australia. He hoped the day was not distant when they would be building battleships.