THE HARWICH FLOTILLA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE HARWICH FLOTILLA.

A FINE WAR RECORD.

HEAVY CASUALTIES SUSTAINED.

In an article on the work of the Harwich naval forces, Mr. E. F. Knight says: What is known as the Harwich Force, to wards the end of 1914 was composed of the light cruisers Arethusa, Fearless, Undaunted, and Aurora, and forty destroyers, forming two flotillas. The* force gradually increased its strength of light cruisers, being joined at various times by the Penelope, Conquest, Cleopatra, Canterbury, Carysfoot,, and others. Commodore Tyrwhitt—now Rear-admiral Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt—commanded the force from the beginning, his flagship being the Arethusa. He is still in command, with the Curacoa as his flagship. Various were the duties performed by this light force— patrolling of the enemy's coasts, keeping the Grand Fleet informed of the enemy s movements, the perpetual harassing of the enemy, the hunting down of imbmaiines and minelayers, the enticing out of hig heavy ships to fall into our traps, the convoying of merchantmen, and so forth. The work was extremely important and highly dangerous. Throughout the war there was always some portion of the Harwich Force npon the seas, and always a certain portion of it in harbour under steam, ready to rush out at a moment's notice should the wireless waves give no-

The troops aie crossing the new Galata Bridge from Btamboul towards Galata. In the background is Stamboul itself, a true city of Constantine, with ite houses rising-from the edge of the Golden Horn, and oiimbing up the slopes of the Seven Hills of New Rome. On the extreme right is the Seraskierat (Ministry for War), with its lofty tower, one of the landmarks of Constantinople, ruing above it. Some distance to tie left is tie mosque of Rustem Pasha. At the farther end of the bridge is tihe large mosque of Yeni Velideh Sultan, witfi its two tall minarets. This mosque was built m the 17th century by a famous Regent Sultana (Valideh Sultan), hence its name. On the left, beneath the eavs of the kiosque, may be seen the mosque of Mahmud Pasha, which crowns one of the highest points of tie Stambouline Peninsula. The occupation of Constantinople by the Allied troops is the first ocoasion since 1453 on which European soldiers have triumphantly ' entered what was onoe the capital of the Roman Empire. —Sphere.

tico of something doing iu the North Sea. On one occasion practically the entire Harwich force got out of harbour within 20 minutes of a call for its assistance. Even when there was no urgency, no longer than three hours' notice was ever given. A force so actively engaged as was this one could not fail to suffer many casualties — all probability heavier casualties in proportion to its numbers than any other naval foroe. Admiral Lord Jellicoe, on one occasion, in a message of greeting, said: "Tour casualties alone in this war show what your work has been." Harwich, possibly, was nearer to the war and its tragedies than any other port in England. For often, by day or in the quiet night, would be heard the weird signal of the sirens that summoned officers and men on leave on shore to hurry back to their ships, as something I was happening on the North Sea that I called for the Harwich force, or a por- ! tion of it, to put to sea at once. This recall signal, »iay those who heard !it in Harwich, had a most impressive , effect. Taking the time from the flag- : ship, en eh cruiser in the harbour sounded ! both her sirens three times, each blast ! being of three minutes' duration.