"PAINT SHIP!"

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 267, 12 November 1907, Page 5

"PAINT SHIP!"

AN INDISCREET ADMIRAL

[press association.] (Received Nov. 11, 10.2 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11

After a, fortnight's hard manoeuvring in very trying weather, the Channel Fleet returned to Portland to meet the Kaiser.

Admiral Beresford, by the Admiralty's orders, signalled the Fleet 4t to paint ship," whereupon Admiral Scott, commanding the First Cruiser Squadron, signalled to the captain of H.M.S. Roxburgh, who had gone to the firing-range for gun-practice: <c Paint work appears to be in greater -demand than gunnery, so you had better com© in in time to look pretty by the Bth."

Lord Beresford thereupon signalled the Fleet that Admiral Scott's signal •was contemptuous in tone and insubordinate, and must be expunged from the signals of Admiral Scott's flagship-, H.M.S. Good' Hope, and H.M.S. Roxburgh. He directed Admiral Scott to report by signals when the orders had leen obeyed.

The incident caused much regret.