Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 165, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1919 — SCRAP BIG WARSHIPS [ARTICLE]

SCRAP BIG WARSHIPS

Great Britain to Dispose of Vessels by Auction. L Many of 200 That Have Outlived Usefulness Hold High Place in Naval History. London. —Nearly 200 warships of the British navy, most of which have outlived their usefulness^are to be sold to the highest bidder as soon as they can be cleared of their guns, etc. Among the vessels to be disposed of are several which have a high place in naval history and around which hovers an intense sentimental interest. A somewhat similar step was taken by the admiralty In 1904, when a large number of obsolete vessels were disposed of. At that time a great hue and cry was raised, as many persons feared that the strength of the navy would be seriously impaired. But, as a matter of fact, the sale of the ships resulted In making the navy stronger than ever and the coming sale is expected to have a similar effect. The removal of obsolete vessels in 1904 had a two-fold purpose, and in both respects was justified by the war. It set free the personnel needed to start the nucleus crew system, and placed out of commission ships which did not give an adequate return in fighting efficiency for the cost of their upkeep. v Widespread Interest will be aroused by the revelation of the names of ships to be removed from service. Sentimental Interest in his majesty's ships of war is strong, amounting almost to reverence, evoked ,bv such an ancient monument as Nelson’s Victory. Among the ships now to be disposed of are many which have been brought prominently before the public eye. Several have flown the flags of distinguished officers, and not a few have .'made records in connection with the war. ~— - More than 100 destroyers, compris-

Ing the “A” to “F” classes, are now biassed as noneffective, and 97 of them, including 21 for immediate disposal, appeared in the list of April 9. There will soon, therefore, be no destroyers in the navy launchedbefore 1909. All the torpedo boats, except the 36 turbine-driven ’ boats of toe coastal type built in 1906-09, are being cleared off, and 46 are in the list. Perhaps the most interesting unit of this group is torpedo boat No. 079, which in the naval maneuvers was commanded by King George, then a lieutenant in the navy.