ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1915, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

THE SILENT FLEET. READY AND WAITING. MSITED BY A FAMOUS IWAK OOERESPONDENT. SIAMJEN'S LATEST SPORT. New York, Sept. C. Mr. Frederick Palmer, one of the most experienced American war correspondenst, visited Admiral Jellicoe's fleet and was shown a map indicating where German submarines had been captured, supposed to he sunk, and sunk. When .asked how they were destroyed, the officers replied: "Sometimes by ramming, sometimes by gunfire or explosives, and many other ways which we can not tell." Mr. Palmer states that the men on board the battleships and armed cruisers are envious of those engaged in submarine hunts, which are regarded as great sport. Britain has 2300 trawlers, minesweepers, and other auxiliaries, outside of her regular service, on duty for the 'blodkade between the English Channel and Iceland, and for keeping the North Sea clear. Their reservist crews are most zealous in performing their important work of overcoming the sort of warfare waged by the Germans. '• SEA-COLORED DREADNOUGHTS. Mr. Palmer said that at an important 'base there is line after line of dreadnoughts painted the color of the sea, including the Queen Elizabeth, back from the Dardanelles, and the light cruiser squadron returned from scouting in the North Sea. The seaplanes had their headquarters upon a famous Atlantic liner. The presence of the Lion and Tiger in their places in the battle .squadron disproved the German story that the Tiger was at the bottom of the sea. Whether in the turrets, on the bridge, or ibeknv deck, there was a 'significant absence of anything, even the minutest, not serving a purpose in battle. With every passing month ihe fleet grows stronger and better organised to meet any emergency. The methods of countering submarine attacks and destroying submarines have >also developed beyiond expectations. The navy's hardest part in the war was in the early days when it was continually at sea looking for battle. Now it is securely ready, and can steam out to action immediately the patrols sweeping the North Sea report any signs of the enemy. ADMIRALS AND MEN. Approaching the flagship I saw Admiral Jellicoe walking on the quqarterdeck, with a telescope under his arm, keeping an eye upon all those grey (monsters. He is quick of movement and speech, tanned iby years of exposure and constant duty. Only a band of gold lace distinguished him from the other officers as he received his guests. Tho youthful appearance of Admirals Beatty, Sturdee, and other squadron commanders was impressive. Admiral Jellicoe, at 57, was' senior to them all. He is rarely without a telescope, and there is nothing which the officer of the watch sees but Admiral Jellicoe sees also. He escorted his guests throughout the flagship. The men were drilling, _ and he paid particular attention to the special machine giving the gunlayers firing practice and recording the results of each shot. The health of the bluejackets is better than in peace time, because of the length of the period on board, the consistent regime, good food and ample exercise. The patience, thoroughness, energy and eagerness for the fray of every man on board was amazing. The officers declare that Germany's chance, if any, was at the outset of the war. She has no chance now. FRENCH WRITER'S IMPRESSIONS. BIGGEST ARSENAL IN THE WORLD. Received Sept. 7, 9.40 p.m. Paris, Sept. 7. A party of prominent writers visited Admiral Jellicoe's fleet. Pierre Mille, recording his impressions in Le Temps, says that Britain has sunk so many submarines that she only desires a continuance of their activity. Admiral Jellicoe commands three thousand ships, whereof, at least three hundred are warships. The party inspected the biggest arsenal in the world, which has arisen like magic at the Firth of Forth, and includes dry docks, and shops for repairing and arming the largest ships, employing six thousand workers. The army of three million volunteers is a unique achievement which France cannot regard without enthusiasm. HESPERIAN SINKS. ANOTHER STEAMER TORPEDOED. London, Sept. 6. The British steamer Cymbelinc has been sunk. Thirty-one 'of the crew landed. Six were killed and six injured. The crew of the Hesperian was rescued before the vessel foundered, and this morning landed at Quecnstown. THIRTEEN PASSENGERS MISSING. LARGE MAIL LOST. Received Sept. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. (i. Two steamers endeavored tu tow the Hesperian, but did not make headway, and she sank almost at the spot where she was torpedoed. Her fore compartments were filled with water, which finally broke the bulk-head, and she foundered. Jt is announced that the Hesperian was not armed. Thirteen passengers are missing, and 354:5 sacks of mail were losi, nianv of them being for the United States.' THE USUAL ALLEGATION. THAT THE HESPERIAN WAS ARMED Received Sept. 7, 9.35 p.m. Washington, Sept. 7. Officials are of opinion that the sub marine commander will allege that the Hesperian was not a liner, but an armed transport. German-American newspapers alleged that she carried a fourinch gun aft. MORE IPEOPLE MISSING. Received Sept. 7, 9.30 p.m. London, Sept. 7. It is officially announced that thirteen of the Hesnerian's crew are also missing.