QUICK CHANGE SHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 134, 8 June 1935, Page 11

QUICK CHANGE SHIP

The Admiralty's action in converting the new convoy sloop Enchantress into a yacht for the occasional use of members of the board has evoked adverse comment in certain quarters. This vessel was expressly designed to protect mercantile convoys against surface and submarine raiders, for which purpose she was to have had the comparatively powerful armament of four 4.7 in guns. When, however, the ship was modified to serve as a yacht the fourth gun was suppressed, and cabins were built over the space it would have occupied. In her present guise, therefore, the Enchantress can hardly be rated as a fighting ship. However, arrangements have been made for restoring her to fighting trim at the shortest notice. Should an emergency arise, within forty-eight hours the e.xtra cabins would disappear, and in their place an additional 4.7 in gun would be in position, the deck foundation, for this gun, together with the necessary magazine space below, having been retained in the completed ship. Further, except on the very rare occasions when she is required as a yacht, the Enchantress will serve, as an ordinary unit of the. Fleet, carrying out all the customary drill, including gunnery practice, laid down in the training manual.