BATTLE-SCARRED SEAFIGHTERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2874, 12 September 1916, Page 5

BATTLE-SCARRED SEAFIGHTERS

• A POET WITH THE FLEET. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, September 10. Mr. Alfred Noyes (the poet) describes a visit to the battle-cruisers engaged in the Jutland, battle. "The first ship, massive as a fortress, sensitive as a stag, thrilled me like a trumpet call, tt wa6 the Canada. Her bluejackets were talking with two flags to a ship a quarter of a mile away. She was the Australia. A little behind was the New Zealand. I began faintly to understand tho source of the true glory of my country. Thence to the Warspite, whose holes also bad been patched, ready for action again. She had to fight eight Germans/ and roally was battered. One hole was about the size of a small church window, hut the damage was not great. Tho Warrior's crew considered that tho Warspito's intervention saved them. After tho battle a deputation of the Warrior's men waa sent.to tho Warspitc bearing gifts of cigars and 6undry' bottles, but they were received with a gale of Homeric laughter. 'Take it back, you blighters, we did not try to save you.' they said. 'Wo were chasing our own damned tail. Our holm was jammed 1' The Lion and Tiger and other ships showed few tracos of the fight, but their officers and men were brimming with satisfaction at tho result of the Jutland battle."