NATAL REVIEW. BRITAIN'S FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 139, 14 June 1909, Page 7

NATAL REVIEW. BRITAIN'S FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE.

INSPECTED BY COLONIAL PRESSMEN. ATTACK ON WHALE ISLAND. By Telegraph Press AsßOciatlon.~Cop,yrigtit, (Received June 14, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, 13th June. On Saturday the delegates to the Imperial Press Conference were taken to Portsmouth to witness a die-play of Britain's naval strength. The weather was fine but cold. The delegates embarked on board special fcteamers, and proceeded to the Spithead roads, where the fleet was anchored in lino of battle. The whole of the Home fleet was assembled, the total length of the line& being eighteen miles. The ships, which were all on a war footing and ready for active service, consisted of the following : — Battleships ... 24 Aimoured cruisers 16 Other cruisers ... 8 Scouts - 4 Destroyers 48 Submarine ... ... '-. 35 Auxiliary vessels ... ■.... 9 Making in all a hundred and fortyfour warships. After steaming through the lines, which occupied an hour, the Lords of the Admiralty and their guests went on board the Dreadnought, and witnessed a realistic attack upon that vessel by torpedoes and submarines. Subsequently the 'visitors proceeded to Portsmouth Harbom, and witnessed an attack on Whale Island by a squadron of gunboats, and the landing of parties of bluejackets lo threaten the military and raval establishments on the island. Thence the steamers returned to Ports^ mouth, and landed the visitors, who were taken through the Royal Dockyard, Admiral Sii< John Fisher accompanying them. Battleships in course of construction on the slips were inspected, and the party were conducted through the fitting shops and armouries. Whale Island, in Portsmouth Harbour, origir.ally but a small mud bank, has been enlarged by deposits of .spoil from the excavations made in extending the dockyard, till it now comprises about a hundred acres. Convict labour was chiefly utilised in the work of enlargement There is a School of Gunnery on the island, in addition to many other naval and military buildings.