THE GRAND FLEET

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 220, 11 June 1919, Page 8

THE GRAND FLEET

SIR DAVID DEATH'S FAREWELL

END OP HIS SERVICE AFLOAT

Bidding farewell to the Grand Fleet, Admiral of the Fleet David Beatty gave an address to the officers and crew of his flagship, the Queen Elizabeth. In doing so lie said the day was a sad one for him, because it brought to an end his service afloat, though ho would remain a servant of the State. The speech is given fully below:— "I am taking this opportunity of saying good-bye to my shipmates, and in doing so t will read the last General Order which I will issue to the Grand Fleet: 'In bidding good-bye to the Grand Fleet. I desire to express to the officers and men tho <leep regret which I feel at leaving those who have shared so loyally and devotedly the stress of the past years of war. In success; disappointment, and in monotony the spirit of the Fleet has been beyond praise, and the highest traditions of our great service have been upheld. I leave in full confidence, that the spirit of the Grand Fleet will remain, that the lessons learnt in the war will be laid to heart, aiid that the mutual respect and understanding which exist between officers and men will bo maintained and fostered for the safety and honour of the Kirtg and Empire.' " Unprecedented Conditions. The Admiral then proceeded: "I need hardly say that my wishes as regards the Queen Elizabeth .will be fulfilled. For over two years.she has carried my flag under conditions unprecedented, and-dur-ing that time the Queen Elizabeth has made a name for herself worthy of her position as' Fleet flagship. In efficiency, in smartness, in cleanliness, and in good, spirit the Queen Elizabeth liasshown an example to tho rest pf the Fleet, as. n Fleet flagship ought to do. When my flag comes down you will carry the flag of my second in command, and under him I am quite sure the reputation which the Queen Elizabeth has established will be maintained. You have to remember that the period in front of us is going to bo different. Reaction sets in. new features appear, and new difficulties arise, all of which have got to be overcome; but'l am confident that in the future, as in the past, tho Queen Elizabeth will live up to the reputation which she has made. It is a great one, and it will be difficult, but those who are left on board can do it. The spirit of tho Queen Elizabeth and the spirit of the Grand Fleet, will remain. I thank you, Caulain Chatfield, officers, chief ijetty officers, petty officers, non-commis-sioned officers, and men for your loyal and whole-hearted support during the two years past. Without that support mv task would have been much more difficult." The People's Gratitude. "Recently at Liverpool you were able to realise something of the feeling in the country with which tho Navy is considered. You were fortunate in being there, and I hope you will all pass on to vour friends in other ships the knowledge you have gained that theVpeoplo of this country are fully aware of what they owe to tho Navy, and are.full ot gratitude to the Navy for t\h part that they have played. I was-proud to havo representatives of my flagship. to support mo on that occasion. I received the Freedom of Liverpool not as David Beatty, but as tho representative of the Grand Fleet. The honour is to you as much a» it is to me, and in all subsequent functions of that sort, the honour that is being done to me embraces every man in the Fleet. I am tho figure head; I havo to make the speeches, but you are'really tho recipients of tho honours just as much as I am, ajid I think that at Liverpool they made that quite plain. It is good for you to know that tho feeling in the country is what it is. England's Unfailing Trust. . "Sometimes in the Navy wo have a sort of feeling' ,in our mii*ls that booauso we are out of sight we are out ot mind. That is not 60. Therefore, I would remind you that tho real feeling with which wo aro regarded ontaite certain obligations upon us, that wo have to continue to hold ourselves .worthy, of the trust, that unfailing, trust, which England lias in the great service to. which we all nave the honour to belong. : now say good-bye to you. This Is to me a sad day, because it brings to an eu<i my service in the Fleet, and I may say my service afloat. I am still a servant of tho State, and fio long as I may be employed, or am employed, in tho service of tho Stnto or in the service of that great service to which you all know 1 belong body and soul, you may depend upon my sympathising with and assisting every man and officor of tho Fleet in his jiist aspiration. What tho future holds for us I cannot say; I will not prophesv. I thank you, and remember, that although I have gone I still remain a comrade and friend. Good-bye."