Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1928, Page 2

Tut, ‘‘Silent” Navy has been asserting itself again, though the feat lias passed almost unhonoured and unsung. A brief telegram from Melbourne announced the safe arrival there of the four Royal Air Force flying boats. It was left to the British Official Wireless to supply some details, these also being brevity itself. The four Royal Air Force flying boats of tire Southampton all-metal type, which arrived at . Melbourne on June 29. have completed the most ambitious service flight‘ever attempted. The flight lias been remarkable for tho fact that the machines have throughout flown according to fixed schedule and without mishap. After remaining in Melbourne for about two months, during which period the vessels will be overhauled, they will proceed along the east and north coasts of Australia to Singapore, which will he their base in future. Doubtless tlie feat of the Southern Cross in bridging tlie Pacific almost simultaneously with the long flight of the flying boats, robbed the latter of special limelight. Nevertheless the remarkable aeltievenieni is worthy of mention and aporeciation, if only to show that the British Navy in the matter of aerial feats is not lagging behind. The fact that the great tour was completed according to fixed schedule and without mishap, shows tho perfectness of the organisation. The Navy is as earefill and methodical Tn the air as on tlie high seas. The other day when the Jervis Bay was in trouble, the “5.0.5.” signal brought a warship speedily to her succour. The Navy is always at call to live up to its motto “Ever ready.” Tlie flying feat, the latset to credit, is something quite out of tlie ordinary. Four boats of a special typo make the journey successfully, indicating the completeness and success of the type adopted. The Akilful crews are worthy members of the British Navy in a new walk, in life, to which as usual the Navy has not last any time in adapting itself. There has been occasion time and again to express pleasure and confidence in tho British Navy and the feat now so modestly broadcasted is one of the category which must enhance the reputation of the Navy in a new, direction. Further laurels have been won, and won as usual in a (piot and unostentions way to tho credit of the nation. The marvel is that this history making feat of practical results has been so lamely and tamely recognised.