THE VOYAGE BEGUN

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 69, 22 March 1920, Page 7

THE VOYAGE BEGUN

RENOWN LEAVES PORTSMOUTH

LONDON, 16th March.

. Mr. John Sandes, special correspondent of the Australian Press Association with the Prince of Wales, writes ■ from, Portsmouth as , follows : —The week's delay; due.to quarantine,, was well utilised by the crew of the Renown, which is now spic and span. Admiral Halse-y gave, a dinner party~ in. ;,.. the beautiful, dining-room, -which has been fitted- up for the Prince, N and which cperis into a semi-circular ,' sitting-room . ' .extending across the upper deck, well aft. The decorative scheme is simple but effective. The pictures are mostly fine old engravings: of famous British.-sea .fights,, arid portraits of great statesmen of bygone days.' ■ Silver': in' the dining-room>'aridr fresh flowers matching tlie colour scheme in each room lend richness- to the general effect. The life and routine on. board the battle-cruiser has commenced. '.->■'■ ■ ,■■ '■.-'. •'-■'

The ceremony of slowly, lowering the White Ensign, while two buglers 'stand.-' ing' side by side'sounded the "call at sunset, and every.'ship, in the...oldi war harbour lowered its ensign in unison, seemed unusually impressive. A fewhundred yards away dies Nelson's Victory, recalling the famous fight which safeguarded Australasia for the people of British stock, arid prepared the way for this voyage.

A great,battle-cruiser carries the heir to the British Crown"' to visit 'distant nurslings of sea power.- There have been' many Renowns in- the Boyal Navy, and peculiarly associated with Royalty. The present Renown was not commissioned lintil after Jutland, and she then became one of thef First Cruiser Squadron. She afterwards constantly patrolled German waters in an endeavour to tempt the German..Fleet out. -,

Commander Campbell, the navigating officer, has a.hea-vy load of .responsibility this voyage. The Culebra Cut is only three times the»- Renown's width,* and only in the centre of the Panama VCanal is- the water deep enough for her draught. Also, if rough weather should prevail on" arrival' at the .^entrance"' to Port .Phillip, it is probable that the passage of the rip will not be attempted. The Renown draws' 31ft," a margin of safety top small in, bad weather.

The chart of the voyage, posted yesterday in the ward:roo_m, shows that San Francisco will be visited, also.' the, possessions of the West Indies on, the return voyage. The, Renown is timed to'be back in Portsmouth on I,4th": October. *'

The Royal train arrived at four in the afternoon. The Prince, attended by Admiral Halsey, alighted and was received by Admiral Burhey,Commander-in-Chief of Portsmouth, General Black adder, commanding the military, forces,' the Commander of the Dockyard, and the Mayor of Portsmouth. The Renown was dressed in flags, as also were all ships in the harbour, including the Victory. Tlie crew were drawn up on the quarterdeck, and the band of. Marines played the National Anthem as the Prince came oh board. He proceeded at once to- shake hands with all th€ officers and' to inspect the crew.

As the Prince, with his slight boyish figure, walked slowly past the two great fifteen-inch guns, pointing side by side to Seaward, the scene on deck was brilliaiit with a blaze' of scarlet,' where the Jlarines were drawn up, and lthe glitter of gold, lace and naval uniforms. The salute guns roared <v welcome, and. the impressive ; little : ceremony was soon over. ' The R«iown.drew into the stream at 5.30 for her .loii'er voyage.

The Evening News publishes a set of farewell- verses addressed to "The Happy Prince," by Mr. John. Sandes, the Australian Press Association's special correspondent. , . '„

The death took place at Ajmere, India, this month of Mr. Grant M'llvride. The late Mr. St'Uvride was the third, son of Mr. Geo. M'llvride, and was born in the Lower Hutt forty years ago. He served in the South African war, and after^ wards joined the Indian Army. Later 'lie joined the service of the 8.8. and C.I. Railway, and at. the time of his death was stationmaster at Almedabad. -.His death was the result of-injuries received last April, during the Indian riots at Viramgani- railway - station: ? • ;The ■deceased was a brother of Messrs. W. and G. M'llvride, of Petone; his sisters being Mesdames Laing (Marton), Bradfield and Randell (Palmereton North), Hodgson fAshburton), and Jillett (New Plymouth,). ■ ■■•■.