H.M.S. VANGUARD MOVES ON DESPITE STORM

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5319, 4 February 1947, Page 5

H.M.S. VANGUARD MOVES ON DESPITE STORM

LONDON, Feb. 3. Strong winds whipped the Royal Standard to tatters as H.M.S. Vanguard steamed southward through the Bay of Biscay in stormy weather, reports the B.B.C. observer on the yvarship which is taking the King and Queen and the two Princesses toSouth Africa. Everything that was movahle was lashed down or removed from the docks, and great green waves broke across the ship's bows. Ileavy seas smashed gratings on the Vanguard's 'deck and hroke adrift a piano in the ship's schoolroom as she pitched and ro-lled across the Bay of Biscay, says Reuter's correspondent aboard. The King, the Queen and the Princesses spent most of the day quietly in their cabins. The Sunday service which was scheduled to be held on deck took place in the cinema theatre. During Ihe service the banns were read for Leading-Seaman Carter, who is marrying Miss Gladys Cole, of the Parisli of St. Paul, Durban. The escorting naval vessels had a \y:/P timo in the heavy seas trying to keep up with H.M.S. Vanguard. Great waves broke continuously over their decks. All vessels are now well clear of the Bay of Biscay. Portuguese warships have sailed to meet the Vanguard, which is due to pasa Portuguese territorial waters, says the Lisbon correspondent of the Associated Press. The Portuguese ships will fire a salute. A high priority operational message was radioed to all ships in the Royal convoy at 11.14 a.m. yesterday that a floating mine was drifting towards the Vanguard's' cour.se, says Ihe Exchange Telegraph. The Vanguard and her escort passed the mine just before noon less than two miles away.