IN SCAPA FLOW

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14022, 27 March 1919, Page 3

IN SCAPA FLOW

HUN WARSHIPS. SCENES OP DIRT AND INDIFFERENCE. The task of the Allied Commission of inspecting and disarming such enemy warships as remain in German ports is proceeding without serious incident (stated the “ Daily News ” of January 11th), and the big warships are being depleted of their armament as fast as the present chaotic state of Germany will permit. The remaining vessels at Kiel and Wilhelrnshaven have been completely cleared. The work of removing the guns and range-finding instruments, and of emptying the magazines has been done under the greatest pressure from die Commission. The Germans still complain that it is impossible for them to carry out this work at the speed that is required. Although the delegates of the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council maintain considerable authority at Kiel and Wilhelrnshaven, even to the extent of being saluted by their cornrnisioned officers, they have not such hold as will prevent the men leaving their ships when they feel so Inclined.

■ The Baden, the latest German ;attleship, fitted with 15in. guns, has arrived at Scapa Flow. Her speed is 23 knotss On this vessel, which was in the same dirty condition as the others; the officers had to give their orders through the medium of the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council. Discipline on board the German ships at Scapa Plow varies considerably. On the whole, the crews show little inclination for work. They frequently ask to go ashore, which, of course, is strictly forbidden. Almost their only interest in life is fishing.

The number of submarines still in German ports is roughly GO. Sixteen are due to leave Germany to-morrow, including 13 which were returned to Germany from the Mediterranean and three which were inspected by Hie Allied Commission at Wilhelrnshaven.

Arrangements have also been made for the surrender of the five German submarines interned in Spain, one in Holland, and one in Norway. There are still about 170 submarines in various stages of building, but the majority are mere skeletons. Further construction work on those vessels has been suspended. The British cruiser squadron which has been operating along the Esthonian coast has returned, and another light cruiser squadron has taken its place. The warships inspected by the Commission were, like those which were surrendered to the British Fleet, in what was oifloially described as a “ filthy and disgusting condition.”

The Maokensen, the latest battlecruiser not yet completed, was stated by the Commission as being in a parlectly appalling state, “an offence to tile nostrils,” over a considerable area. Some of the vessels were short of lubricating oil, and were unable to attain anything like their full speed. There was a general disinclination among the engine-room staffs to do any work, and there was further evidence that the order for these ships to go out and engage the Grand Fleet had precipitated the revolution. Some of the vessels were not in a lit state to go to Scapa Flow.

■There was also a certain amount of demoralisation among the small craft used as mine-sweepers. The/crews in many cases took an independent view o/ the situation, and had dispersed.