THE GRAND FLEET

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1932, Page 6

THE GRAND FLEET

WARTIME DANGERS. LONDON, ALiroll 31. A statement that the Grand Fleet was in danger in the early months ;.T the Great War owing to the lack of a base secure against submarine attack, and that it had to steam from one harbour to another always in peril, is made by Captain D. J. Alunro in his hook “Seapa Flow.”

The author says the situation in October, 191-1, was so perilous that Earl Beatty broke the regulations by writing a private letter to the First Lord of the Admiralty, Air Winston Churchill, the text of which is now for tho first time published: “AVe feel we are working up for a catastrophe 7 lie menace o. mines and submarines grows larger every day. Adequate means to meet or combat them ’’are not forthcoming, and we are gradually being pushed out of the Norib Sea. ' ll our own particular porch. We have iin husi> where we can safely ]jc W;r co'dinc. replenishing, refitting and repairing- This after two and a half months ol war. This spells trouble, and I think I do no( shout without cause.'’ Captain Alunro says: “The fleet, e ■ which depended the whole of the Al'ied hopes, was being hounded from nillar I" post. The ships could defend themselves at sea, hill were virtually de"eneeless when anchored in noils. Air < ’'' 11 nmmntly ordered S'-apa and oilier Seollish liases lo he made subiiiii rine-proof.” Captain Alunro was responsible for I his work.