NAVAL STRENGTH

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21231, 30 September 1940, Page 8

NAVAL STRENGTH

AMERICAN DESTROYERS ARRIVAL AT BRITISH PORT TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 29 The first flotilla of destroyers acquired from the United States arrived at a British port to an accompaniment of tremendous enthusiasm. The flotilla leader will shortly be renamed H.M.S. Churchill. The ships tied up without ceremony. All are vessels of 1200 tons of the flushing deck type and contemporaries of the British V and W classes. They mount almost the same armament and have a speed of 35 knots. Most of the destroyers are fourfunnelled and all are equipped with 4in. guns, 21 in. torpedo tubes and 3in. anti-aircraft guns. All are to be renamed after towns beginning with the letter C.

A large flotilla of this class of destroyer served in European waters from 1919 to 1924. They have a high standard of comfort on board. Naval ratings, lining the decks as the destroyers came in, highly praised the American crews from whom they took over the vessels. The British crews proceeded to Canada on board a liner which a German aeroplane unsuccessfully attacked before its departure. Tribute to Americans The commander of one destroyer said: “The Americans were extraordinarily charming. They handed over the ships in a spick and span condition. Our men quickly settled down to handling the vessels. American skeleton crews accompanied us on trial runs and wanted to come to England. They nearly wept when we sailed.” The British crews agreed that the destroyers were better than British destroyers of the same age. The Atlantic was crossed in six days, and all the vessels had plenty of fuel left. Everyone paid tributes to the machinery and equipment of the shins, which require only the slightest touching up for active service.