THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12019, 24 March 1920, Page 7

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

THF CANAL STOPPAGE. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph-Copyright. London, March 16 Owing to a recent landslide, the Panama Canal is ..temporarily closed to heavy draught vessels. No official intimation of the stoppage has been received; therefore it is assumed the Canal will be cleared before the Renown arrives. IS is unliKely the Prince’s programme affected. LIFE ON THE RENOWN. IMPRESSIVE SCENES AT PORTSMOUTH. London, March 16 “ Mr Sandea, the special correspondent of the Australian Press Association with the Prince of Wales, |writes from Portsmouth:— The" week’s delay due to quarntine was well utilised by-the crew of the Renown, which is now , spick and span. Admiral Halsey gave a dinner party in the beautiful dining room which is fitted up for the Prince and opens into a semi-circular sitting room extending across 'the upper deck well aft. The decorative scheme is simple but effective. . The pictures are mostly fine old engravings of famous British sea fights and portraits of great statesmen of bygone dys. The silver in the dining room, ana- fresh flowers matching the colour scheme in each room, lend richness to the general effect. Life and routine on board “ the battle cruiser have already commenced. There was the ceremony of slowly lowering the White Ensign while two buglers, standing side by side, sounded the call at sunset, and as every ship in this old war harbour lowered its ensign in unison it seemed unusually impressive. A few hundred yards away lies Nelson’s Victory, recalling the famous fight which safeguarded Australasia for the people of British stock and prepared the way for this voyage of a great battle-cruiser which carries the heir to the British Grown to visi? the distant nurslings of sea power. There have been many Renowns in the Royal Navy, and peculiarly associated with Royalty, The present Renown was not "commissioned until after Jutland. She then became one of the First Cruiser Squadron. She afterwards constantly patrolled German waters in an endeavour to tempt the German fleet out. Commander Campbell, navigating officer, has a heavy load of on this voyage, The r Culebra Cut is only three times the Renown’s width, and only in the centre of the Panama Canal is the water deep enough for her draught. Also, if rough weather prevails on arrival at the entrance to Port Phillip it is probable the passage of the trip will not be attempted. The Renown draws 81 feet, so that the margin of safety is too small in bad weather. A chart of the voyage posted yesterday in the ward room shows that San Francisco will be visited, also possessions in the West Indies on the return voyage. The Renown is timed to be back in Portsmouth on October 14th.

“ The Royal train arrived at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The Prince attended by Admiral Halsey, Godfrey Thomas, and Lieut.-Colonel Grigg, alighted, and was received by Admiral Burney (Commander in Chief of Portsmouth), General Biackadder (commanding the military forces), the commander of the dockyard and the Mayor of Portsmouth. The Renown was dressed in flags, as also were all the ships in the harbour, including the Victory. The crew were drawn upon the quarterdeck, and the baud of the Marines played the National Anthem as the Prince came on board. He proceeded at once to shake hands with all the officers and to inspect the crew. As the Prince, with his slight, boyish figure, walked slowly past the "two groat 15-inch guns, pointing side by side to seaward, the scene on the deck was brilliant, with a blaze of scarlet where the Marines were drawn up and a glitter of the lace of naval uniforms. A salute of guns roarded a welcome, The impressive ceremony was soon over. The “Renown drew into the stream at 5.80 for her long voyage. “THE HAPPY PRINCE.’’ vantnm London, March 16. The Evening News publishes a set of farewell verses addressed to “The Happy Prince, ” by John Sandes. — Australian Press Association’s special correspondent.