NAVAL REVIEW.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3217, 15 June 1909, Page 5

NAVAL REVIEW.

BRILLIANT DISPLAY, FLEET INSPECTED BY COLONIAL PRESSMEN. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received June 14, 9.20, a.m. LONDON, June 13. On Saturday the delegates to the Imperial Press Conference were taken to Portsmouth to witness a display of Britain's naval strength. The weather was fine but cold.

The delegates embarked on board special steamers, and proceeded to the Spithead roads, where the fleet was anchored injiline'of battle. The whole of the Home fleet was assemble, the total length of the lines being eighteen miles. The ships, which were all on a [war footing and ready for active service, consisted of the following:—■ Batleships 24 Armoured cruisers 16 Other cruisers 8 Scouts 4 Destroyers 48 Submarines 35 Auxiliary vessels 9 Making in all'a hundred and fortyfour warships. After steaming through the lines, which occupied an noui\ the Lords of the Admiralty and their gussts went on board the Dreadnought, and witnessed a realistic attack upon that vessel by torpedoes and submarines. I Subsequently the visitors proceeded to Portsmouth Harbour, and witnessed an attack on Whale Island by a squadron of gunboats, and the landing of parties of bluejacket 3to threaten the military and naval establishments on the island. Thence the steamers returned to Portsmouth, and landed the visitors, who were taken through the Royal Dockyard, Admiral Sir John Fisher accompanying them. Battleships in course of construction on the slips wsrj inspected, and the party were conduced through the fitting shops and aimouries.