THE KING’S SUBMARINE TRIP.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143838, 12 July 1912, Page 3

THE KING’S SUBMARINE TRIP.

King George had his first trip in a submarine in May last, on the occasion when ho went to sea on board the battleship Neptune to watch target, practice. On several occasions when Portsmouth his Majesty has been aboard those craft, but never before had he ventured on a trip below the surface in one of them. At the King’s request submarine D 4 was signalled to come alongside the battleship, and his Majesty informed her commander that ho would like to dive in her. “Very good, sir,” said the officer. The King took bis place on the little bridge, and while the vessel headed for deep water the Impounder gnn, with which all submarines of the D class are fitted, was manipulated for his Majesty’s inspection. Deep water having been reached, the submarine, which is of 800 tons displacement, as big as the latest destroyers, prepared to descend to a depth "which precluded the risk of an accidental touch of the bottom. All the deck fittings were taken below and the King , wont down the companionway and took up his station at the periscope, where he could observe the rest ’of the fleeet. The submarine descended till the summit of her periscope tube .was just awash. Her oil engines were stopped, and she was driven at a pace of ten knots by her electric motors. The vessel travelled thus for some two or three miles, and then rose to the surface. The King’s descent was made unknown to all save' a few of the officers of the Neptune, and the rest ( of the fleet was unaware that the D4’s passenger list had temporarily become unusually important. His- Majesty was much impressed with the efficiency of the submarine, and with the ease with which she was controlled while under Submersion, and he thoroughly enjoyed his little journey.