STORY OF ZEEBRUGGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1718, 8 January 1920, Page 6

STORY OF ZEEBRUGGE.

HISTORY Olf GREAT EXPLOIT.

DARING DEEDS OF THE NAVY

"The Story of Zechrugfio," that epic of duriujj; and contempt of death, 6mliodying one of the greatest exploits in the' history of the British Navy, was told at tjio Opera House last evening by Lii uieiiant-C-omniandcr R. Hourke; 11A.V.R., who. as commander oi Motor-launch 276 V played a brilliant part in;the great deed of daring. Lieutenant-Commander Bourke won the D.S.O. for his part in ' the blocking operations at iZeebru'gge, on April 23. MRS. On the occasion oi the second raid on Ostend, on May 10; he won the Victoria C'ro.vfi and was made a Chevalier ot the Legion of Honour.. Mr E. H. Orabb occupied the chair, and in introducing the Commander referred to the honour of having such a distinguished visitor in the town. The illustrated lecture delivered by Lieutenant-Commander Rourke detailed the work of the Dover Patrol in opposing the Gorman submarines and light craft in the Channel, the mine-sweep-ing operations, the counter-mine precautions, and the laying of the .plans leading up to the great offensives against the. two principal submarine bases on the Belgian const. Lantern slides showed all the vessels engaged 1H the blocking raid on Zeebrugge. The Vindictive, which carried the landing party for the mole, bore | the brunt of the fire from the German snore batteries, and steamed away with the survivors of the landing parties, was shown as she appeared before and alter the operations. The shattered and •twisted superstructure, the shell-pierced , funnels, and broken decks, bore witness to the ordeal of fire through which the oil warship passed. The bloekslup lying in the channel, the formidable defences, batteries, dugouts, and anti-aircraft "tins were all shown on the screen and described, while official photographs proved the havoc wrought on mole, viaduct, and harbour defences by the raidparties. The lantern slides gave an impression of the magnitude of the task essaved. the success achieved, tind the daring of those engaged. The lecturer, .speaking with the first-hand knowledge of a spectator and a participant, told a vivid story of the heroic deeds done. The lecture was attended by a fanaudience, who heard the stirring story with close attention and frequent applause. At the conclusion the lecturer was accorded an enthusiastic vote <>l thanks, on the motion of Colonel Melville, D.5.0., C.M.G.