TRAFALGAR ANNIVERSARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 October 1942, Page 5

TRAFALGAR ANNIVERSARY

LONDON OBSERVANCE RUGBY, October 21. To-day was the 137th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, and .representatives from the . Dominions and eight Allied nations laid wreaths at the foot of Nelson Column. Alter an impressive ceremony, witnessed by a huge crowd, the First Sea Lord (Sir Dudley Pound) read Wlson s prayer before Trafalgar, and Sir Lionel Halsey, Chairman of the Navy League said they did more than pay tribute to the greatest British Admiral. They paid tribute to the seamen of the British, and Allied navies ana merchant navies, . who once more constituted a barrier between a dictator and his dreams of world domination. ~ . , . ~ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr Alexander) introducing the broadcast programme, traced British naval strength from Nelson s time, remarking on the striking parallel between the time of Trafalgar and the situation we recently faced alter the fall of France. “Our great new ships of war, .together with all other vessels coining into commission, hete and in America,” he said,. “proved the determination of the United Nations to keep command of the seas, and keep the enemy pent up, mai chmg his strength a way until the time comes to strike him down lor. ever. The command of the sea is as significant now as in 1805. We must ensure it, and we will. We shall preserve it until we give back to the world security for such as pass mi lhe seas on their lawful occasions, security for all men to think, and worship as they will, subject on.j to their own laws. We must see to it when that day comes, as come it will, we too are all able, to thank God 1 have done my duty. ’

THREE SHIPS SUNK. (Rec. 11.45) WASHINGTON, Oct. 21. The Navy disclosed the loss by torpedoing of three merchantmen off the northern coast of South America and in the Atlantic The total United State’ losses m the western Atlantic since Peari Harbour, is 497, according to an unofficial compilation.