REAR-ADMIRAL IN TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2235, 12 November 1907, Page 3

REAR-ADMIRAL IN TROUBLE.

A CONTEMPTUOUS MESSAGE. REGRETTABLE INCIDENT. United Press Association —Cop/right (Received 10.2 p.m., Nov. 11.) ’ LONDON, Nov. 11.

After a fortnight’s hard manoeuvring in very trying weather, the Channel fleet returned to Portland to meet the Kaiser. Lord Beresford, by the Admiralty’s orders, signalled to the fleet to paint shop, whereupon Rear-Admiral Scott-, commanding the first cruiser squadron, signalled to the capt'ain of the Rosburgh, who had gone on firing for gun practice: “Paint work appears 'in greater demand than gunnery, so you had better come in in time to look pretty by the Bth.” Lord Beresford thereupon signalled to the fleet that RearAdmiral Scott’s signal was contemptuous in tone and insubordinate, and must bo expunged from the signals of Rear-Admiral Scott’s flagship. Scott was directed to report by signals when the orders were obeyed. The incident has caused much regret; '■ • . ■ ••'.'•

A TRIBUTE TO THE FLEET.

(Received 10.16 p.m., Nov. 11.) LONDON, Nov. 11. Speaking at the Guildhall, Admiral Fisher, responding to “The Navy,” declared he was unable to find anywhere so fine a fleet as the 26 battleships and 25 cruisers which had just finished manoeuvring in the North Sea. That was only a fraction of our power. The gunnery efficiency of tho fleet was unp_aralleled, surpassing all records. The fleet was ready on the instant for war, so the British mightsleep quietly,in their beds.undisturbed by the bogeys periodically resuscitated .Jay al.lf’sortsiof.Meagues.