Naval Occasions

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 58, 2 December 1930, Page 13

Naval Occasions

Commenting on reports published m England concerning a movement to makeLord Jellicoe’s flagship the Iron Duke a national treasure, placing it in the same category as Nelson’s old flagship the Victory,' A. H. Shirley, who served 22 years on the lower deck, including service in the late war,'asks what part the Iron Duke has played in war. m comparison with the battle-cruiser Lion, .flagship of Earl Beatty. As one who served on the Lion under Rear-Admiral Beatty the correspondent describes him as a great admiral and <a true British gentleman, honoured and respected by every British bluejacket serving in his Majesty’s Fleets. The correspondent quotes the engagements fought .by Beatty in the Lion at Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland, from the last-men-tioned of which the Lion returned battered and torn. The Iron Duke was, far from the scene of action, but the Lion had stood the , test although her centre gun turret was out of action through an explosion in her magazines, which cost many brave lives. . . Sir David Beatty had proved himself and he was the idol of the men of the fleet. When Admiral Beatty hoisted his flag as Commander-In-Chief it was not on the Iron Duke but on the Queen Elizabeth. Concluding with the query “Does the Iron' Duke deserve the honour?" the correspondent answers “No.”