ROYAL PASSENGER

Evening Star, Issue 21811, 29 August 1934, Page 6

ROYAL PASSENGER

PREPARATIONS ON THE SUSSEX SHIP'S COMPANY KEYED UP : Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, \ GIBRALTAR, August 28. (Received August 29, at 9 a.m.) “ Good-bye Sussex, good luck,” has been flagged, semaphored, and Morsed dozens of times since the cruiser left Sheerness in a blaze of summer brilliance which was unbroken all the way here, where the finishing touches will be imparted during the nest seven days for the Royal embarkation at Marseilles on September 5. The Royal barge, resplendent in. Royal blue and grey, is tucked away on the starboard main deck in readiness for the Duke to commence his odyssey, and the ship’s company is so enthusiastic to ensure that the first episode will impressive. ' " '

If the truth be told the Sussex could have been commissioned thrice over so numerous were the volunteers for this memorable undertaking, for which the whole ship is keyed, up to the highest pitch.

Captain Bonham-Carter has a splen-< did personnel, while the Sussex herself is the possessor of efficiency trophies which will show the Australian fleet traditions of the Navy at their best.

Present plans, dependent on the weather, are for anchorage outside the moles at Marseilles. The Duke and his staff will conrn off at 9.30 a.m, incognito. The ceremonial will be de* layed till the ship is outside the territorial limit, when the Duke’s standard will be broken at the masthead, the Royal salute fired and the Union Jack run up. The guard of honour, mounted on the quarterdeck, will be inspected, after which there will be an inspection on the ship. The Duke of Gloucester will occupy the captain’s quarters, in which is hung a collection of dainty water colours acquired by the duke on his recent visit to Belfast. The quarters are simply furnished with an eye to comfort, , a tribute to Mrs BonhamCarter’s good taste. The ship is already in direct touch with Australia, and news bulletins from there are circulating daily. They aro eagerly scanned, especially any references to the centenary.

THE FIRST EXCITEMENT GIBRALTAR, August 28. (Received August 29, at 10.30 a.m.) The first thrill during the trip of the cruiser Sussex was ' obtained at 11 o’clock last night, when the Strath;..rd disseminated an S.O.S. sent out by the Spanish freighter Flora, which was in, distress five miles north of Cape St. Vincent. The’ Sussex,, which had hitherto been leisurely steaming to make Gibraltar early in the morning, swung around and speeded for a couple of hours at twenty knots to succour the Flora, but Cadiz advised that the Flora had been beached and was awash at St. Vincent. The Strathaird wirelessed that there was no sign of the boats, and the Sussex resumed her trip to Gibraltar. • ,