VANGUARD’S FUTURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22314, 26 April 1947, Page 5

VANGUARD’S FUTURE

HOME FLEET FLAGSHIP ROYAL NAVY REDUCED LONDON, April 22. It is expected that when she returns from South Africa, Vanguard, as Britain’s newest battleship, will become the flagship of the Home Fleet. At present the commander-in-chief of the Home Fleet, Admiral Sir Neville Syfret, flies his flag in the Duke of York, which during the absence of Vanguard is the only fully operational battleship in the Royal Navy. The extent to which the Royal Navy has been reduced is indicated by recent returns which show that no fewer than 425 British warships have been given, lent or sold to other countries since hostilities ceased. Twenty-five have been acquired by the Dominions and the remaining 400 have gone to the navies of Belgium, China, Denmark, Eire, France, Greece, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal Russia Siam Turkey and Yugoslavia. The ships comprise one battleship five aircraft carriers, 10 cruisers. 50 destroyers, 24 submarines, 17 frigates, 36 corvettes, 140 minesweepers, 113 motor torpedo boats, gunboats and launches, and 29 other vessels. Russia acquired 14 including one battleship, nine destroyers, and four submarines. India is to purchase three large ciuisers, including Ajax and Achilles. Italy has bought 33 minesweepers.