FAREWELL TO AMERICAN FLEET

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 142, 11 March 1919, Page 5

FAREWELL TO AMERICAN FLEET

ADMIRAL BEATTrS MESSAGE On December 1, the day on which the American vessels of tho Sixth Battle Squadron wero dstached from (he Grand Hoot, the Conimandor-in-Chicf, Admiral Sir David Beatty, wont on board tho U. 5.3. New York and said farewell to tho men, who wero called to muster on the forecastle;. The admiral 6poko as follows-.— "I could not let the Sixth Battlo Squadron go without coming on • hoard the New York aud saying something of what I feel at this moment of your departure. I had intended to ask Admiral Rodman to permit mo to say something 1.0 tho representative.; of nil tho ships of tho Sixth Battle Squadron on board his 'flagship, but the exigencies of the service did not permit mo to do so. Therefore, as Admiral Rodman has said what I say to you, I hopo you will promulgate it to your comrades in other ships and also to your comrades of tho Atlantic Elect. What I say, I hopo you will understand, comes from the heart, not only my heart but the hearts of your comrades of the Grand Fleet. .1 wont first of all to thank you—Admiral ' Rodman, tho captains, officers, and 6hij>3* companies of this magnificent squadron—for tho wonderful co-operation and loyalty you have, given me and my admirals and the assistance you have given us in every duty you had to undertake. "Tho support which you have given is that of true comradeship, and in time of that is worth, a very great deal. As somebody said the other day: 'The fighting is over and the talking'is iiow going to begin.' Therefore, I do not want to keep you here any longer, but I want to congratulate you on having' been present upon a day unsurpassed in < the naval annals of the world. I know I quite well that yon, as well as all your British comrades, were, bitterly disappointed at not being able to give effect ' to that efflcienoy you have so well,main- : tained. It was a most disappo'ifitirig ' day. It was a pitiful day to seo thoso ! great ships coming in like sheep being J herded by dogs to their fold without an ' effort on anybody's part, but it was a ' day everybody could be proud of. I have received messages from several \ people offering sympathy to the Grand ' Fleet, and my answer wn.s: Wo do not '• want sympathy; we want recognition of ! the fact that the prestige of the Grand ' Fleet stood 60 high that it was sufficient to cause the enemy to surrender with- ( out striking a blow. I s

The Last Stand, . "I always had certain misgivings, and when the Sixth Battle Squadron became part of the. Grand Fleet those, misgivings ■wore doubly strengthened, and I knew then that they would throw up. their hands. Apparently the Sixth Battle Squadron ns the straw that broke (lie camel's back. However, the disaynointment that the Grand Fleet was unable to strike, its blow for the freedom of the world is counteracted by the fact, that it was its prcstije alone that brought about this achievement. Burins th? last twelve months you have been with us we have learned to know each other very well. We learned to respect each other. I want you to take back a message to the. Atlantic Fleet that you have left a very warm place in tho hearts of the Grand Fleet which cannot be filled until'you como back or fiend another squadron to represent you. You have given us a sample of the Atlantic Fleet which I think will try the Atlantic Fleet, efficient as it is, very hard to reproduce. I understand that you are now proinpr to Portland, where you are to eet leave. .After that you haw Ih.e duty to perform of brineinjf your President to thrse waters, and then you will return to your own shores. "And T. hone that in the sunshine which Admiral Rodman tells me is always present there you will not. forsret' your 'comrades of the mist' and your pleasant associations of the North Sea. This is a queer nlac*, as von found, but von were not the first to find it out. There was a great explorer. Mar™ Polo, who. after travelling over the world for ihirtv yenrs. one. day found lu'uiHf in the North Sea and then went home, went to hod, and did not travel any more. I trust it. will not have the same effect mi any of you, but T can say that these of you I have seen durine; the last twelve months seem to have improved in many ways. if it was possible, and I think the North Sea has a henlthjsiving quality which must, be put against all the bid points of which it has so many. I thank you and. again and again for the' great part the' Sixth Battle Squadron has played in bringing about the greatest naval victory in history. I hope you will give this messase to your comrades. 'Come back, soon.' Goodbye and good luck!"