LOSS OF THE FORMIDABLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 177, 5 January 1915, Page 3

LOSS OF THE FORMIDABLE.

The loss of such a valuable first-class battleship as the Formidable will naturally evoke feelings of great regret throughout the Empire. It is not so much the actual loss of tile ship that will bo felt, as the great loss of officers and men of proved ability, who cannot well be replaced, and whose services were one of the great assets of the Empire. We must, however, be grateful for the saving of over 200 of the ship's complement under circumstances that fully testify to the terrible weather prevalent at the time, as well as to the pluck and heroism of the men. So far as the effect that the loss of such a warship will have on the preponderating naval strength of Britain there need be no alarm, for in this class of pre-Drcadnouglits it Is not appreciably all'eeted, the two to one majority being still retained. That it is a serious loss cannot be ignored, yet the ehief matter is that the efficiency and effectiveness of the Imperial Navy is not appreciably impaired. It is always provocative of deep concern when a vessel costing such a vast sum for building and equipment ends a useful career in such unfortunate circumstances as prevailed in the ease of the Formidable, but those who know what furious storms in the Channel are like can readily understand that when, added to the tremendous forces of Nature, there is the lurking, danger of drifting mines, a catastrophe may happen at any moment to the most powerful ship afloat. With the ordinary fury of a gale and tempestuous seas a warship can contend successfully, but contact with a powerful mine is fateful. At first there was a suspicion that the sinking of the Formidable might have been due to the deadly work of a submarine, but it seema to be indubitably caused by a mine. It was extremely unfortunate that the mountainous seas prevented a complete rescue of all on board the warship, as she was afloat sufficiently long to enable all to escape had it been possible to launch the boats and obtain aid from the ships in the vicinity. The groat loss of officers shows that the best traditions of tlic service were upheld, and it is that grand self-sacrificing spirit in the face of a great danger that has 'Built up the power of the Empire, and made our Navy supreme. Doubtless the incident will be a source of jubilation to the enemy, but we can afford to regard it with regretful equanimity. In times of war the forces of the Empire on sea and land carry their lives in their hands, and are as willing to take the worst as the best. Those who have lost their lives by the sinking of the Formidable are just us great heroes as their comrades who have fallen in the forefront of ..battle. Had it been given to them to die like Nelson in the midst of a; naval fight, it might, and probably would, have teen more in accord with their desire, but Fate decreed otherwise, and yet it may surely be assumed that they faced death fearlessly and cheerfully. All honor to these brave men. We deplore, their loss deeply, but they have given another fine example of the full meaning of national duty and service that should evoke a feeling of pride throughout the Empire.