“SHOWING THE FLAG”

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 8

“SHOWING THE FLAG”

EMPIRE CRUISE OF BRITISH WARSHIPS THE SWIFTEST NAVAL FORCE DESCRIBED An interesting announcement was made by the First Lord of the Admiralty (the Right Hon. L. S. Amery) at a session of the Imperial Conference last month (says the London “Daily Telegraph”). It was that the two great battle cruisers, the Hood and the Repulse, with a light cruiser squadron, are to set forth this autumn on an Empire cruise, which is expected to occupy ten months. Mr. Amery outlined the itinerary mapped out for the ships,, and the proposals, it is learned, received the cordial approval of the Conference. The First Lord disclosed the Government’s plans for “showing the flag” in the course of a statement with which he opened a discussion on naval policy. His review of the situation following the signing of the Washington Agreement, and the opinions of the overseas representatives regarding the naval policy of the Empire, are, by the unanimous decision of the Conference, to be treated as strictly confidential. It is possible, however, to indicate broadly the scope of the tour to be undertaken by the two battle druisers and their attendant light cruisers, which is certain to be welcomed with enthusiasm in all the overseas parts of the Empire that are to be visited. The warships will depart from Portsmouth or Plymouth for South Africa, They will sail down tho West Coast of Africa, make a stay at Cape Town, and afterwards call at ports on the East Coast. Pending the issue by the Admiralty off the detailed programme, it is not possible to do more. than suggest places that may receive a visit. For example, there are Sierra Leone and Walfish Bay on the West Coast, and Port Elizabeth. Durban, and Zanzibar on the East Coast. Voyage of 30,000 Miles. On leaving the African Coast the ships will steam across the Indian Ocean to Singapore, the site of the new British naval base, which is to bo constructed in the course of the next ten years. From Singapore the voyage will be continued down to Australia, and then on to New Zealand, with a stay in Australasian waters of some weeks. Turning homewards from New Zealand, the objective will be Canada, and there will be an opportunity en route. of touching at the Fiji Islands. It is probable that ths next call will be at Vancouver, the chief port of British Columbia, and thereafter the ships will come down the west coast of the United States. The heavy ships are to make , use of the Panama Canal, and it is proposed that the light ships should go round by Cape Horn. A visit will no doubt be made to the West Indian Islands, and afterwards the voyage will he continued up the East Coast of Canada Avith tho object of visitin" the ports on that side of the Dominion. When the Canadian part of the programme is completed the ships will steer for home, and on reaching England. after what will be, in fact, a world tour, of tho most interesting character, they will have covered at least 30,000 miles.

AN IMPOSING GESTURE IMPERIAL SEA PRESTIGE. Tho Admiralty (writes Mr. Archibald Hurd) is making an inspiring gesture to the Dominions in sending on a world cruise embracing all the principal part* of the Empire a squadron of ships which has its equal in power and speed under no other flag. As the Empire is all one, so these kith and kin will bo reminded that tho seas are all one, and that security of one and all lies in the largest measure of unity in training for war that can be obtained in the Commonwealth and self-governing partners. In other days this might have been described as a “flying souadron,” so high is its speed under full pressure of steam, hut the term “flying” has in these days of aeroplanes acquired a new significance, But it can be said that this will be the swiftest naval force which has ever gone forth from this or any other country. The Repulse and Hood, mounting 15-incli guns, can work up. to 32 knots. Tho latter ship, in particular, is a wonderful triumph of constructional and engineering ingenuity, for she combines in one hull the qualities of a battleship and a battle-cruiser —offensive and defensive power ill combination with the highest speed that has been obtained by a vessel of such great size—4l,2oo tons. She is, indeed, at present out one capita] ship embodying in every degree the lessons of the Battle of Jutland.

The five light cruisers of the “D” type which are to accompany these two battle-cruisers are the last words in design of their class. Thev were launched, like the Hood, in the last year of the Great War, and have a displacement of 4650 tons, developing power for 29 knots. They mount 6in. guns each. They are small, of course, as the Washington Treaty permits cruisers of 10,000 tons to be built, and they are lightly armed, but they will worthily represent the light forces which are associated with tho Atlantic Fleet. This is no specially commissioned show squadron. The shijis are fresh from war exercises in Scottish waters, and will go forth representing, in a fitting manner in the world’s wide seas the power and prestige of the British Jriect. The Fleet is a mere shadow of what it was, but throughout the Dominions this force, on its all-world cruise, will carrv the message that the spirit of the Service lives, though _ so manv of its ships have gone to tho scrap heap, and tens of thousands of its officers and men have had to retire in the interests of the heavily-burden-ed taxpayers of the Mother Country.