LORD JELLICOE’S SUCCESSOR

Evening Star, Issue 18715, 18 August 1924, Page 2

LORD JELLICOE’S SUCCESSOR

FINANCE A DIFFICULTY;

Press Association—By Telegraph—Cop/c'ght

LONDON, August 15,

It is learned that Admiral Sir William Pakenham was approached before Admiral ,do Robeck, but ho declined the Gover-nor-Generalship of New Zealand because of its expensiveness. Others now mentioned are Admiral Lord Wester Wcmyss, Admiral Sir Charles Madden, and Admiral Sir Somerset Gough-Galthorpe. Tho Colonial Office admits that finance handicaps all tiro Governorships, and points out that, while tho post-war cost of upkeep has practically doubled, the emoluments remain on the pre-war basis. —A. and N.Z. Cable. A FAMOUS ADMIRAL, WORK AT THE DARDANELLES. Sir John Michael do Robeck, who on Friday “hauled down his flag as Commander of tho Atlantic Fleet,” has bad a distinguished career in tho Navy. He was born at Naas, Ireland, on Juno 10, 1863, being the second son of the fourth Baron do Robeck, his elder brother, Henry Edward, being the filth baron of the line. Sir John entered tho Navy in 1875 as a cadet on H.M.S. Britannia. Ten years later he became lieutenant, and in 1897 was made commander. His captaincy followed in 1902, and in 1911 ho became rear-admiral. When tho war broke out ho was in command of the North Atlantic Fleet, but on Admiral Carden’s health breaking down in March, 1915, Admiral de llobeck was sent to succeed him. Ho arrived on March 3, after tho preliminary bombardment of tho Dardanelles forts "by tho French and British Fleets, and he' had charge of tho major operations by sea. Tho groat effort was made on Thursday, March 18. At a quarter to 11 on a beautiful day the big ships steamed qj) the Straits towards the narrows, and began bombarding tho forts. After about au hour and a-half, during which the ships were subject to a heavy fire from the shore, several of tho French warships joined in, and there were ten ships attacking the forts at short range. Tho forts ceased fire, but subsequently again opened a fierce fire, showing that they had not been seriously damaged, and it was afterwards stated by the Turks that, in spite of the terrific bombardment, only one Turkish gun was dismounted. Then three large shells struck the French Bouvet almost simultaneously, and she was hidden in a cloud of smoke. Her real wound, however, came from' one of the mines that the. Turks were sending down the current in tho hopes that they would do havoc among the crowd of British and French ships. In spite of the' terrible csdds the British and French ships kept at their impossible task. Mine-swcepors wero icallod up to dear the passage in front and look for floating mines. An hour and a-half after the Bouvet sank with ■most of her crew the Irresistible struck, a mine, but floated for an hour or more, during which the destroyers took off most of her men, which was a dangerous task, as tho sinking vessel was a target for the Turks’ guns all the time. Tho Irresistible sank at ten minutes to 6 p.m., and a quarter of an hour later the Ocean struck a mine and sank almost an quickly as the Bouvet, which went down fn three piimitcs. Several of the other attacking ships wore badly hit. As tho sun set most of the forts wero still in action, and during tho short twilight tho Allied ships slipped out of the Dardanelles. The groat attack on tho Dardanelles had failed, with the loss of three battleships and more than 2,000 men. Although he was given an impossible task, there was never any criticism os to the manner in which Admiral de Robeck carried out his part of tho work. Ho showed most intrepid courage on every occasion. And in connection with the great part the Navy played in the protection of the land troops Admiral de Robeck’s name will always be remembered gratefully among naval people,_ who are best able to judge of his capabilities. Like Admiral Jcllicoo, ho has a remarkably charming personality, and this arises in a marked manner from tho fact that he is “ downright.” Ho has the traditional bonhomie of the sailor, the thoughtfulness of the gentleman, and, in addition, ho has been blessed with many of tho characteristics that go to mako a successful diplomatist. Admiral de Robeck is sixty-two years of ago. His wife was the widow of Sir S. 51, Lockhart. They were married in 1922, Admiral do Robeck has been Commandor-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet since 1922. Ho was in command in the Mediterranean from 1919 to 1922, ami was formerly High Commissioner at Constantinople,