SHIPYARD SECRETS.
ftver> shipyard that builds for the Navy must take great precautions that none of the secrets entrusted to its care shall leak out. Detectives watch all visitors and keep the workmen under observation also. Plain-clothes officers guard every entrance, and nobody is allowed to bring even a small parcel unless it is first examined for fear,that it . may conceal a camera. At one of the big construction yards one^ man to ©very two dozen is thoroughly searched from head to foot each night on leaving. All the draughtsmen engaged on the drawing of a new warship are sworn to secrecy, and the plans are invariably kept under lock and key when not in use.
These precautions have brought many suspicious circumstances to light. One night when a new cruiser was about to undergo her trials, two men crept aboard as she lay at anchor. They were captured and handed over to the police. Shortly afterwards, on the day of her trial, the chief engineer thought it would be advisable to have another look at the interior of the turbines before steaming, to make certain that no rubbish had got inside to injure the delicate turbine blades. But worse than rubbish was found. When the turbines were opened two heavy steel chisels were discovci'ed inside. If the machinery had been started the damage would have taken months to repair.
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Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 17 February 1915, Page 3
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230SHIPYARD SECRETS. Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 17 February 1915, Page 3
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