LAUHCHED HERSELF

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 242, 4 October 1939, Page 4

LAUHCHED HERSELF

H.M.S. FORMIDABLE CARRIED “RUDKI, BRITANNIA M LONDON, Aug. 21.—The .23,000-ton aircraft carrier, Formi largest warship ever built at Belfast, •broke away and launched, herself at liarland and Wolff’s sliipyard, nearly half an. hour, before the scheduled time. An official statement by Messrs. liarland and “Tlie vessel left the ways at noon,. and safely took the water before the' .scheduled time. As she commenced jgto move, Lady Wood, wife of .Minister, performed the naming ceremony and made the naming speech,,, which was in the following terms : “We are here torday to launch this great, ship and wish her God-speed.,

.We'-clt&i t'nVftir- pride and thanksgiving in a wonderful achievement. I name the ship Formidable. -May God guide her and: guard and!'keep all who sail in her.”' ' ■ ;: " ' ’ •

: £ As the vessel began to move away, Lady Wood quickly swung a bottle of Empire wine against the bows and named the vessel. . The conductor of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Band immediately struck up “Rule. Britannia.”

Scores. of-Shipwrights .y'bp.. weri; under the vessel knocking uyvay the keel blocks had narrow escapes as the vessel began to move. Some ran for safety and others stooped down between the launching slips while the vessel passed overhead. About 20 of them were hit by falling timber and were treated for minor injuries. Iron stays, were hurled aside, and timber, nuts .and bolts were thrown into the air. Some pieces fell among the thousands of onlookers in 'Special enclosures. Three onlookers were struck, two of them'by a hawser, and received first-aid at an ambulance statipn. Women collapsed and among the spectators generally there was consternation for several minutes. One log fell on the head of -Mrs. .Alary Kirk, wife of a shipyard worker, injuring her so badly that she'died before she could he taken to hospital. Cradle Del I apses The tremendous wooden < radio supporting the how of the vessel remained fast on the slipway and collapsed as the Formidable tore away from it amid the sound of breaking--timbers. The vessel entered the water steadily and when she was safely under the control of tugs-the religious service which should have preceded the launch took place. One spectator wondered if the vessel would stay upright until she entered the water. An official, of Harland 1 . and Wolff stated, however, “there was no danger that she would fall over sideways.” The warship was apparently undamaged. An investigation will ho held into the mishap. Air. F. F. Rebbecki. chairman and managing director of Harland and Wolff, was explaining the launching mechanism to Lady Wood when the ship began to move. The only precedent for the Formidable mishap is the launching in 1898 of the 13.090-ton battleship Albion at Bhukwall. She_ran down the slips at such speed that a huge wash was created which swept about 200 people off a- gangway. Thirty-five persons lost their lives. The Duke and Duchess of York Hater King George V and Queen Mary ) were present. “Things Above Peace” Sir Kingsley Wood, speaking at the -subsequent luncheon given by Harland and Wolff, said that Northern Ireland and England stood together in good turns and in ill. __ “Our people. like the people of other countries, desire to live their lives in freedom and safety and to pass on these benefits to their children, but we remind ourselves that--there arc things that matter •even above peace itself—vital tilings which can never'"bt T ~snrrendored,” ho declared. To hSsr.tJie carrying out of solcinnundortakings was the basis of world order. We would never submit to fence and aggression. We were no decadent people. Ho added : “Wo seek peace and shall do all we can to ensure it, but if the issue is ever to be joined—which God forbid—we should not- he found wanting and should carry out our undertakings.” If war came it w«uk\ he a war of all aim?., and it was on that account that Britain was so powerful. They had financial strength for continuous combat. and the courage! and dietermination of a people who could never lie conquered. i “But we think.” Sir Kingsley continued. “of a supreme navy, which never will, in my judgment lose the touch of Drake ami Nelson.” Air. F. E. Rohbock paid that Belfast had great possibilities for the Fleet in an* omeigeney. because it was relatively the safest large port in the United Kingdom with a straightforward waterway bordered by bills whose contours lent themselves to the siting of anti-aircraft guns. Advocating the construetir.hi of an additional large dry dlnck at. Belfast, lie said Harland and Wolff had the ground lor such a dock and would be prepared to place it at the disposal of the authorities. ; :