THE “LAME DUCKS” OF THE FLEET.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3377, 5 January 1920, Page 5

THE “LAME DUCKS” OF THE FLEET.

How the Lion was saved and the Marlborough repaired in six weeks' time, after having been torpedoed at Jutland, was part of the magnificent story told at Newcastle the other day at the final meeting of the North East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders, /The dockyard work accomplished in incredibly short spaces of time is one of the very finest chapters of Labour’s war record. . It is! Rear-Admiral, Slay,ter, Admiral Superintendents’, testimony to the Tyne that it earned the gratitude not only of the Navy, but of the whole Empire. Owing to its docking accommodation, the Tyne hecame the natural refuge of “lame ducks’’ from the fleet. The Lion after Dogger Bank had 1500 square feet of her outer bottom plat-, ing damaged, and arrived in the river drawing 37 feet forward. The vessel was heeled over eight degrees to enable’ four coffer dams to be fitted, and the latter were then pumped dry. On© hundred and fifty tons of concrete, with which the damaged parts had been filled, had to be blasted out. Repairs to the Lion occupied seven weeks. As for tke Marlborough, she became incapacitated at a most crucial period when time was of the utmost importance. The firm to which the work was entrusted promised they would do the work in six weeks. Many people laughed at the very idea. But the men on the job agreed among themselves practically to live on it until it was completed. Messing and sleeping arrangements were provided on a vessel alongside. They worked from 6 a.m, to 9 p.m. with intervals only for meals, a small night shiftcarrying on. A special boat service was run; for the transport of material to the dock and the vessel was undocked in six weeks’ time according to promise. '