THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16036, 29 January 1920, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

FORMIDABLE DESTROYER

FLOTILLA

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, January 28. Commander S. S. Simpson, of the destroyer Anzac, commanding the flotilla, conducted Hon. Andrew Fisher, the Australian High Commissioner, on a tom - of inspection of the destroyers gifted to Australia by the British Government. The destroyers Tation, Tasmania, Stalwart, and Success are lying at Chatham dockyard. The Anzac and Swordsman are still at Portsmouth.

Mr Fisher inspected the crews lined up at the dockside. He congratulated the officers and men on their smart and workmanlike appearance. He expressed the gratification Australia felt at the splendid gift, and hoped the officers and men would spend a pleasant time on the Australian station.

Commander Simpson said he wanted the flotilla to set a good example everywhere. “We want efficient ships and happy ships, and we can’t get the one without the other.”

Lieutenant-Commander A. M. Roberts, D.5.0., of the Tattoo, escorted Mr Fisher over his vessel. Although there are also Equally modern destroyers in Home and Mediterranean waters, the vessels are likely to excite considerable interest beyond Aden, as they the most up-to-date ever seen in Eastern waters. They will make an eightday’s stay at Bombay. It has arranged that they shall arrive at Sydney on Anzac Day. The crews will serve in the Australian Navy for two years. There was no difficulty in securing volunteers. All were enthusiastic at the prospect of a long stay in Australian waters. The crews of the Anzac and Swordsman include a considerable proportion of Australians. The others are almost exclusively English. All have had wide war service, representing practically every naval engagement except the Falkland Islands.

Commander Simpson gained the D.S.O. with bar for brilliant work in mysterious ships tracing down submarines.

Lieutenant - Commander Roberts served at the Dardanelles and Jutland.

Lieutenant Corby, of the Tattoo, was a gunner on the Vindictive, and won special promotion in recognition of his bravery, he being one of the first to land on the mole at Zeebrugge. Another of the Tattoo’s officers is Engineer-Lieutenant Marden, of the Naval College, Jervis Bay, who was twice blown up during the war—once aboard the Cutacao in the Baltic. Lieutenant - Commander Hughes White commands the Swordsman.

H. Joyce, D.S.O. and bar,, gained while hunting submarines, commands the Tasmania.

F. L. Cavaye, who served aboard the Sydney, commands the Stalwart. Lieutenant Wace commands the Success.