GERMAN SARCASISM

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1906, Page 1

GERMAN SARCASISM

SKIT OX THE DREADNOUGHT. The following skit on the dimensions of the great British battleship Dreadnought appears in a German paper:—"The German naval authorities have been confounded by the launch of the British 500 ft warship Dreadnought. But now comes the news of the launch of the Greatmouth which is to be built in six weeks. Tho Greatmouth's length is immeasurable by the English system. Whole commandos of Dreadnoughts can bo hung about her anchor chains. .She is so long that the time varies at bow and stern. A butt of champagne was used to christen her—there was no bottle large enough. Cavalry are trained on, board. The whole German ileet could bo hidden away in her caboose. Tho King, when ho went on board, wore out four tup hats and frock coats which had to be discarded owing to tho change of fashion during his tremendous journey over her. A "middy" who goes from the deck to the bridge is a pensioned admiral by the time he has climbed there. But her size is nothing to her power. No gun or torpedo can hurt her, and she Van blow away fortresses. Iter turbines are worked by the Gulf Stream. But Germany is going to build a battleship that will lake six (irealmouths as life-boats."