THE GREEK NAVY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1477, 25 November 1915, Page 2

THE GREEK NAVY.

Tiiiv Greek Navy is oue of the very few which before the present struggle hud had experience of a modern war. In the conflict with Turkey in 1912-13 it showed its efficiency by the alacrity with which it seized the initiative when it was necessary lo prevent the enemy from bringing reinforcements into Macedonia from Asia Minor across the Jvgean. The conditions gave no opportunity for brilliant victories, but the fleet played its part effectively and well. During the past four and a half years the Greek navy has had the advantage of British training and instruction by staffs of officers under Rear-Admirals L. G. Tufnell and Mark Kerr. The former served at Athens from May, 1911, to May, 1913, and the appreda lion felt lor the work accomplished under his direction was indicated by the decoration conferred on him by the King of the Hellens and by the fact that the contract with the British Government was repewed on better terms. Since the conclusion ot the war with Turkey, the fleet has been improved by the purchase in July. 19H. of two fairly good ironclads Irom the United Slates Navy, the Mississippi and Idaho, which were renamed Kilkis and Lemnos respectively, and by the addition of new torpedo craft. The light cruiser Helli, formerly the Chinese FeiHung, was also purchased from the New York Shipbuilding Company on completion in the summer of 19141 and is now serving with the sea-going fleet.

At the outbreak of the European War Greece had several ships and vessels under construction in British, German, Freuch, and other yards, but how many of them have been taken over by the respective Governments is uncertain.