FLEET INSPECTION.

Wairarapa Age, 2 July 1936, Page 5

FLEET INSPECTION.

KING SPENDS BUSY DAY AT PORTSMOUTH. TRIP IN TORPEDO BOAT IN ROUGH WEATHER. VISIT TO GUNNERY SCHOOL. (Received Wednesday, 10.55 p.m.) RUGBY, June 30. The King made a trip in one of the new high-speed motor torpedo boats when he paid his first visit since his accession to the Fleet at Portsmouth to-day. The sea was choppy outside the harbour and the weather was so unpromising that it was generally expected that this part of the programme would be modified, but the King expressed a desire to carry out the aYrangements. Boatswains piped his Majesty over the side into a small 50-foot craft which, propelled by engines developing 1500 horse power, is capable of a speed of some 50 miles an hour. The vessel set off at high speed and performed many manoeuvres which were greatly enjoyed by the King, who stood in the wheelhouse in the waist of the vessel. At Spithead a dummy torpedo was fired at H.M.S. Amazon and registered a direct hit. The King so enjoyed the experience that, instead of taking the Admiral’s barge, he remained in the torpedo boat to visit the Whale Island Gunnery School. As the vessel sped back into the harbour, the King, standing at the salute, was warmly greeted. The shore was lined with sailors standing in a long chain, with hands clasped. During the earlier part of the day, owing to rain, an inspection was carried out in barracks and gymnasiums,, representatives of the Fleet and of shore detachments marching past in quick time. Various establishments also were visited. After luncheon with the Commander-in-Chief at the Dockyard, the King boarded the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert and made a private inspection.—(British Official Wireless.)