YACHTS AS WAR VESSELS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12452, 30 April 1908, Page 5

YACHTS AS WAR VESSELS.

What Experts Think of a New

Zealand Proposal

Press Association —Telegraph.— Copyright.

Received April 30, 10.25 a.m.

SYDNEY, April 30. The Herald says that the New Zealand proposal to encourage the building of seagoing yachts, with a view to their use for coastal defence purposes, is generally regarded in local naval circles as having more humour than utility. Commander Brownlow, the State Naval Commandant, looking at the proposal as it appears on paper, and not being in possession, of further data, says, "It certainly seems to me to be impracticable for defence. Auxiliary vessels with a speed of five miles an hour are of no us© whatever for purposes of coastal defence, and even boats built for racing would be of no use. The only vessels that could be used for purposes of defence in this respect would be up-to-date destroyers, or vessels of the scout class. The New Zealand suggestion is evidently with a view to co-operation in time of war between the Commonwealth and the Dominion, but a proper wireless telegraph system would be of more benefit than any combination of yacht clubs to provide vessels."