THE CAT SQUADRON.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1916, Page 7

THE CAT SQUADRON.

LIGHTNING DESTROYERS. . .OF FRITZ. London, January 12. "Swiftness and waspiness" were my main impressions after a visit to-day at an invitation from the Admiralty to one of the numerous North Sea bases whence the light vessels forming what are called Cat Squadrons are ever pouncing upon the rats poking in and out of German ports. We saw the newest type of destroyers, the speed of which is almost incredible, dashing scouts, light cruisers, and adventurous submarines. All the vessels looked thin and frail shells, carrying no heavy armor, and no guns more powerful than C-inch, finding both defence and strength in speed and evasiveness. Many had just returned from cruisers and patrol work. «'-..• Huge sens now sweep the North Sea. Winter in the light craft is painful and exhausting, but the spick-and-spanness is remarkable. All are ready again for instant action.

A noteworthy feature of the work is the hundreds of such craft in the organisation bases where the mother-ships of the depot and repair shop work day and night pouring in oil and provender supplies most rapidly. It is a point of honor with the depots not to keep a ship waiting' a moment longer than is necessary. The monotony of life in the Grand iFleet is not exhibited here. Expectancy reigns, and hopes of a fight run high. There is fierce competition for commands of the submarines even. The destroyers are liked, because with them there lies always a chance of meeting the enemy. The craft have had many adventures with submarines, snapping at Zeppelins which in the summer frequently cause the marking of the guns of British submarines before they submerge. Zeppelins have tried dragging with hawsers and explosive, grapnels without effect. Many destroyers bore marks of action, but the fale will be told when the walls finished. These fast new destroyers keep similar German ships with a legendary speed of 37 knots off the waters. Wo boarded the Arethusa, whose honorable wounds are healed, but undisguised. In the wardroom the mementoes include German flags and the boot of an officer rescued from the Blucher, to which vessel the Arethusa gave the coup-de-grace.

Auxiliaries ofXaU kinds, mine-layers, mine-sweepers, and airplane carriers, are anchored in tTie. harbor, which is continually buzzing with speedy craft skipping along the water. They are all oil-fed. This is the secret of our superiority. 'New ships and boats leave, the great naval shipyards weekly. Their nature is unknown to the public, hut they are always adding speed and power to the fleet. The bases contain also unsuspected /rightfulness for Fritz, which should delight the Empire, The base provides a wonderful insight into the war, remembering the, dangers lurking outside in mysteriously-sown mines over the water. The visit confirmed the impression of efficiency and readiness.