THROUGH WALLS OF STEEL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 243, 23 March 1915, Page 8

THROUGH WALLS OF STEEL.

THE MALWA'S TRIT.

Fropma,ntlc, Tuesday

At Malta the It.M.S. Malwa, which arrived at Freemantle to-ilav, threaded its way carefully, through the great French "anil Britisii fleets which were on their way to bombard the Dardanelles. This was on February 14, and the Malwa was carrying to .Malta Field-Marshal Methuen, wlio was recently appointed to the Governorship of Malta. Such an inspiring sight will never be witness.*! again. On the water* of the grand harbour were floating every conceivable form of naval warfare, from a seaplane to the immensely tripoded Dreadnought. The indefatigable dusiroycrs were in numbers, and here and there among the great ships of war could be seen fishing trawlers specially fitted for the work of mine-sweeping. The Malwa herself, a magnificent specimen of a merchant craft, made her way through the stool walls. She passed about half a dozen French ships, the crews of which showed frantic 'enthusiasm. The «ight was particularly thrilling when she came abreast of some of the Britisii vessels, for upwards of 1500 men crowded on the decks of these ships and cheered. The guns spoke in salute. Another fine sight was witnessed at Gibraltar, where the Mahva. passed the super-Dreadnought Queen Elizabeth. A veritable Queen Elizabeth she looked as she swung to her moorings, majestic grand looking, and crinolined witli the terrible armaments of the latest superDreadnought. For'ard are two great 15in. guns were station, right on top of two others of the same type, and aft were four more.

As one passenger put it, "There she lay naked in her warlike glory. It was a sight I shall never forget. Grey, ominous looking, she vas only suggestive of restrained might, an instant efficiency, and great capacity for annihilation. May she prove her capacity in the Dardanelles."