DESTROYERS FOR AUSTRALIA

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXX, Issue LXXX, 29 January 1920, Page 5

DESTROYERS FOR AUSTRALIA

BRITAIN'S VALUABLE GIFT. | BY CABL3-VEESS ASSOCIATION-COPYBIGHT LONDON, Jan. 27, Commander S. S. Simpson, of the destroyer Anzac, commanding th e flotilla conducted Mr Andrew Fisher (Australian High Commissioner) on a tour of inspection of the destroyers presented to Australia by the British Government. The destroyers Tattoo, Tasmania, Stalwart and Success ar e lying at Chatham Dockyards. The Anzac and the Swordsman are still at Portsmouth. Mr Fisher inspected the crews lined up at the dockyards. He congratulated the officers and men on their smart, workmanlike appearance, and he expressed the gratification Australia felt atat the splendid gift, and he hoped the officers and men would spend a pleasant time on the Australian station. - Commander Simpson said he wanted the flotilla to set a good example everywhere. "We want effioient ships and Happy ships, and we can't get the one without the other," he added. j Although there are other equally' modern destroyers in Home and Mcdi- ! terranean waters, the vessels are likely to excite considerable interest beyond Aden, as they are the most up-to-date ever seen in Eastern waters. . 'They have arranged to arrive at Sydney on Anzac Day. ' The crews will serve in the Australian Navy for two years. There was no difficulty in securing volunteers, all being enthusiastic at the prospect of a long stay in Australian waters. The crews of the Anzac and the Swordsman include a considerable proportion of Australians, and the others are almost exclusively English. All have had a wide war service, representing practically every naval engagement except Falkland Islands.