KING’S OLD SHIPMATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 111, 13 May 1931, Page 10

KING’S OLD SHIPMATES

OPHIR’S ROYAL TOUR. REUNION AFTER 30 YEARS. Old shipmates who sailed round the world 30 years ago -with the King and Queen —then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York—on the first, Royal lour of Empire, dined together in London. on March 24, says the News Chronicle. Admirals and ex-stokers, former offi- 1 rers and crew of H.M.S. Ophir, clasped hands in the common bond of ‘‘Do you rememebor? M Knights and able seamen chatted together as friends. A message of loyal greetings was sent to the King and Queen and the following reply was read by Lord West-er-Wemyss: “It gives pleasure to the Queen and to myself to receive greetings from our old friends in the Ophir assembled to-night to conimenioraro the thirtieth anniversary of that memorable Empire tour, of which wc preserve the happiest recollections. “Wc thank you for drinking our

health and cordially reciprocate your good wishes —George ILL” Before “eight bells" sounded to call them to dine the old shipmates were found communing happily together. White-haired sailormen stared hard at each other, looked puzzled for a moment, and remembered. . . . “Well, if it’s not Ned Blacket!’“Ned” is the only man in the world who has over slaoned norridre on the King’s face! And the Kiim milv laughed. “It was the first time the King had crossed the Hue,” Mr. Blacket. said. “[ was the barber who had to lather the King with porridge. The. King laughed and spluttered while 1 did it. Then we handed His Majesty over to the doctor, who dosed him with ‘pills,’ and then we threw him into the tank. Afterwards the King said to me, ‘You let me off lightly.’ ”

H.M.S. Ophir, in which rhe present King and Queen made their tour of the Empire, arrived at Auckland on .Tune 10, 1901. The King was then Duke of Cornwall and York. The title of Prince of Wales was conferred on him after the conclusion of the tour.