OLD DREADNOUGHT IS NOW TARGET FOR WHOLE FLEET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18585, 10 October 1928, Page 9

OLD DREADNOUGHT IS NOW TARGET FOR WHOLE FLEET.

H.M.S. CENTURION BEARS THE SCARS OF MANY HEAVY BOMBARDMENTS. (United Press Assn.—By ElsetFU Teles-ranh.—Copyright,) (Received October 10, 11.30 f^m.) RUGBY, October 9. An inspection was permitted yesterday at Cromarty, Perth, of ILM.S. Centurion, formerly one of tfife finest super-Dreadnoughts in the Navy, but now serving as a target ship .1 yr Ihe Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets. Although she appears io be but a useless hulk and is completely disarmed, she is capable, under radio con trol, without a single man aboard her of travelling at sixteen knots; and starting, stopping and turning as desired, and in every wsy. .simulating the manoeuvres of a fuily-manned battleship. Wireless controls not only the manoeuvres and her steering,, but also . her steam Valves as required; and regulates her oil fuel. The Centurion has been severely battered in gunnery practice; but owing to the system of protection adopted when the vessel was put to her present use her vital parts remain intact and almost impregnable. A belt of steel protects her for several feet above the water line. Her crew forsake her at the last moment before practice begins and are then accommodated in the old destroyer Shikari. When her duties as target .ship are temporarily over the crew re-board the Centurion and the work of repairing their quarters begins. Every part Of the vessel bears evidence of merciless bombardments, f«3r wK&ri the Fleet makes mimic war the Centurion is victimised twice in a week.—British Official wireless.