AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

NEW, UP-TO-DATE DESTROYERS. A VALUABLE UNIT. By Telegraph.—-Press Aisn-: Copjifieht. Received Jan. 28, 9.45 a.m. London, Jan. 27. Commander S. S. Simpson, of the destroyer Anzac, commanding the flotilla, conducted Mr. Andrew Fisher (Australian High Commissioner) on a tour of inspection of the destroyers presented to Australia by the British Government. The destroyers Tattoo, Tasmania, Stalwart and Success are lying at Chatham Dockyards. The Anzac and the Swordsman are still at Portsmouth.

Mr. Fisher inspected the crews lined up at the dockyards. He congratulated the officers and men o,n their smart, workmanlike appearance, and he expressed the gratification Australia felt at the splendid) gift, and he hoped the officers and men would Bpend a pleasant time on the Australian station.

Commander Simpson said he wanted the flotilla to set a good example everywhere. "We want efficient ships and happy ships, and we can't get the one without the other," he added. Lieut.-Commandcr A. M. Roberts, D.5.0., of the Tattoo, escorted Mr. Fisher over his vessel.

Although there are other equally modern destroyers in Home and Mediterranean waters, the vessels are'likely to excite considerable interest beyond Aden, as they are the most up-to-date ever seen in Eastern waters. They will make eight days' stay at Bombay, and have arranged to arrive at Sydney on Anzac Day.

The crews will serve in the Australian Navy for two years. There was no diffi' culty in securing volunteers, all being enthusiastic at the prospect of a long stay in Australian waters. The crews of the Anzac and the Swordsman include a considerable proportion' of Australians, and the others are almost exclusively English.

All have had a wide war service, representing practically every naval engagement except Falkland Islands. Commander Simpson gained the D.S.O. with a bar for brilliant work in the mysterious "Q" ships, tracking down submarines. Lieut.-Commander Roberts served at the Dardanelles and Jutland. Lieut. Corby, of the Tattoo, was a gunner on the Vindictive, and won special promotion in recognition of his bravery, he being one of the first to land on the mole at Zeebrugge. Another of the Tattoo's officers is Engineer-Lieut. Marden, of the Naval College, Jervis Bay, who was twice blown up during the war—once on board the Curacao, in the Baltic. Lieut.Commander Hughes White commands the Swordsman. Lieut.-Commander H. Joyce, D.S.C., with a bar, gained while hunting submarines, commands the Tasmania. Lieut.-Commander F. L. Cavaye, who served on board the Sydney, commands the Stalwart. Lieut. Wace commands the Success. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.