ON THE SEA?

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA?

CLEANING UP. MINE SWEEPERS' WORK. FLOTILLA LEAVES GREAT BASE. London, Dec. 1. j To-day an advanced unit of the British Fleet set out for Kiel from the great mine-sweeping and Q boat base at Granton, Edinburgh. It consisted of a flotilla of "the Hunt class" or mine-sweepers, comprising the flagship Muskerry, Cottesmore, Cotswold, Pytchley, Holderncss, Tadworth, Garth and Haythorp. These vobscls will sweep the passage to Elsinore Sound, and for bigger Bhips from the Baltic to Kiel Bay. Meanwhile- the inspection of the interned German armada is proceeding raj pWly. German destroyers to-day followed the battleships to Soapa Flow, and it is expected that by to-morrow the Forth will be nearly clear of German ships. They are generally in a poor state throjgh neglect and lack of paint. A year's rust disfigures the sides, and the funnels, while masts and bridges are blackened with soot. The German sailors presented an unseamanlike appearance, their clothes being duty and nondescript. The only ship in decent trim was the Derfliingfr To the inspecting British officers Gcrrnai. lieutenants attempted to be affable One smart fellow who keenly felt his position said: "This deplorable surrender will ruin the German Navy for all time. It had no sea traditions to live up to, like the British Fleet. Now we have only a dishonorable record, and no man will want to serve in a, disgraced service." The hternal state of the battleships was on a par with the external state. They smelt mouldy owing to the stoppage of the electric ventilation.