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W 758
A Naval Display.
Weekly London Letter.
3y Andrew Blackmore.
During August and September there will be an unusual con- centration of British naval power. Except during the crisis, a year ago, when the Fleet was nobilised, the naval exercises will be
on a larger scale than at any time since the termination of the
Great War in 1918.
Twelve thousand reservists have been called up to man the reserve ships. Normally chips of the reserve fleet are manned by nucleus crews and maintained in full repair, with all machinery in working condition, but without supplies on board. When the balance
of the crew joins a reserve chip, fuel, provisions and ammunition
are taken aboard and the ship is ready for sea.
This part of the work of preparation is soon carried out, the more important part of making the ship an efficient fighting unit, the "working up" of the suddenly assembled crew into an organised and efficient fighting ships company, remains to be done. The special training given to the reservists will soon effect this.
Under the present high-speed system, within a few hours of the arrival of the first men at the depots forty-eight ships can be
fully manned. In a few days the whole reserve fleet of 130 vessels
would be in commission, ready for the review by The King on the 9th of August. Of the ships intended to take part in the manoeuvres, "Nelson", and "Rodney", each carrying nine 16-inch guns, are the
ost powerful battleships afloat. In many other types new standards in warship construction have been set up, unequalled, it is believed, in any other European navy.
As these fleet exercises are being held at the same time as her large scale army and aerial manoeuvres, during the next few weeks Great Britain will be in a strong position, prepared for any crisis
which she may be suddenly confronted.
with
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