THE SILENT OCEAN SENTINELS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2561, 8 September 1915, Page 5

THE SILENT OCEAN SENTINELS

WITH -THE . GRAND FLEET AT SEA A WAR CORRESPONDENT'S VISIT READY TO STRIKE Ot Telegraph—Prcs3 Association—Copyright ■■n ew September 6. Mr. Frederick Palmer, one of the most experienced American war correspondents, visited Admiral Sir John ,Tellicoos fleet, and was shown a map indicating where German submarines had been captured, supposed to have been sunk, and sunk. "When asked how they r i the officers Topped: "bemetimes by ramming, some* times by guntiro or explosives, and in many other ways, which we cannot tell." An Envied Sport. states that the men on board the battleships and -armed cruisers , are envious or thoso engaged in submarine hunts, which are .regarded as great sport. Britain has 2300 trawlers, minq-sweopers, and other • auxiliaries, outside the regular service, on duty on tho blockade hetween, the British Channel and Iceland, and in keepiii" the North Sea dear. Their Reservist crews were most zealous in performing their important part of overcoming the 6ort of m arfare waged by the Germans. The Fleet in Being. I saw at the important base line alter line of Dreadnoughts painted tho colour of the sea, including the Queen zabetn, hack from tho Dardanelles, ana the light cruiser squadron returned trr-m scouting in tho North Sea. Tho seaplanes had their headquarters upon a famous Atlantic liner. The presence of the Lion and Tiger in their places in the battle squadron disproved the uennan story that the Tiger was at the bottom of the sea. Whether in the turrets, on the bridge, or belojv deck, there was a significant abse'neo of anything, even of the minutest description, l\°P,. serv "'e some purpose in battle. With every passing month tho fleet grows stronger and better organised to meet any emergency. Tho methods ot countering submarine attacks and destroying the submarines have also been doveloped beyond expectations. 1110 Aavys hardest part of tho war was in tho early' days, when it was continually at sea., looking for battle. iSow it is securely ready, and can steam out to action immediately the patrols sweeping the 'North Sea report any signs of the enemy. Sir John Jcliicoe. ''Approaching the flagship, I saw Sir John Jclhcoe walking tho quarterdeck, with a telescope under his arm, and keeping an eye upon all those grey monsters. He is quick of movement and speech, and tanned by years of exposure. Ho is on constant duty. Only a band of gold lace distinguished him lrom tho other officers as he received a S youthful appearance of Admirals Beatty and Sturdee and other squadron commanders is impressive. Jellicoe at fifty-seven, is senior to them all. He is rarely without his telescope; nothing which the'officer of the watcli sees- but Jcllicoo sees also, flagship 01 " S"ests throughout the llie men were drilling, and particular attention was paid to a special machine giving the gunlayors firing practice and recording the results of each shot. The health of the bluejackets is better than m peace, time, because of the length of tile period aboard and a consistent regime—good food and ample exercise. J he patience, thoroughness, energy, and eagei ness for the fray of every man aboard are amazing. The officers declared that Germany's naval chance, if any was at the outset of the war: she has no chance now." IMPRESSIONS OF OTHER WRITERS (Rec. September 7, 9.40 p.m.) Paris, September 7. A party of prominent writers visited bir John Jellicoe's Fleet. M. Pierre Millo, recording his impressions in tho ans "Temps," says: "Britain has sunk so many submarines that" she only desires ft continuance of their activity. "Sir John Jellicoe commands three thousand ships, of which at least three hundred are warships. The party inspected the biggest arsenal in the world which had • arisen like magic oil the t'irth of Forth, and which includes dry docks, and shops for repairing and arming tlis largest ships. Tho arsenal employs six thousand workers. "Britain's army of three million volunteers is a unique achievement, which France cannot regard without enthusiasm."