Winner's Feat Questioned To the Editor of the "NorritsCuta Dany News"
Sim—In today's Issue of your esteemed paper. I read a report of a British captain being awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.BE:) for evading an enemy submarine attack. Your announcement stated that Captain Hugh Roberts, master of the sloomer Mopan_ belonging to Messrs, Elders & Fyifes Ltd, which could only steam at thirteen and o half Iknots, brought his ship stern on fo the attacking submarine, which was steaming al sixteen knots and Increased his speed to 10% knots. thereby. bringing his ship from 0 range of 4,000 yards, to 8,000 yards and to on. Iam. wondering why a master, mariner of these capabilities {s. wasting his time in a common banana boat, producing 16% knots at moment's notice, from a 13% knot ship. While not disparaging his bravery, I do doubt his capabilities.
Atone I Dio tr.
Nov, 5.
Essay in Sarcasm To the Editor of the "NowiCinwa Daty News"
'Sm;—-Congratulations to. Captain Hugh' Roberts on his O.B.E, also on his ability to work the speed up from 12 to 10¥%e Knots, It is explained by the fact that he has a fall and steam certincate.
Cinep Enon, Mancuans Navy (Rp), Shanghai, Nov, 7, Misplaced Credit To the Editor of the "Nonti-Cuina Daty News" sri support of the writer Avon 1 Dio Tr in his letter in the cor respondence column of the China Dally News" of November 7, There try to bring out the Impossibility of the claim that one of these Banana clippers or any other vessel capable of © maximum speed of 13% knots under "normal conditions creased to 10% Knots without struc tural alterations, Pirslly Ht would entirely rest _with the capabilities of the engineer to increas the speed of el to
human and cannot perform miracles; Hie "beat, but that, engineer is only tunfess endowed with some spiritual-
'The Increase claimed in speed over normal Is three knots, oF ship's speed of 18,240 feet an hour, with allowance of 18 percent slip' 22,000 feet per hour propeller speed. "Now assume the vessel has a propeller with 17 feet pitch working 80 revolutions per minut, it would require on ner ease of 218 revolutions. per, minul obtain the extra three knots or 25 per cent more revolutions. This me Creased speed, however, could only obtained providing the lines the vessel's Hull were exceptionally fine, Thus Tam of opinion that to obtain that thre Knots in practice It Would require more like 40 per ent. Increase in revolutions per minute, which would mean probably 100 per cent, more horse-power and 150 por tent, Increase In coal consumption on fheeount. of forcing the boilers foblain' the evaporation necessary for the extra speed. Now if any compet ent shipbuilder or engineer could do This sort of business at a moment's notice, his place ie in the chair nest to Hiller, for he in my opinion is the only marline at present who seems to be attempting the Impossible.
'This claim of three knots increase fy Ike unto' the usual master marin= fore' sayings, "I made a trip in this from: Bombay to "days"—of course he had hover thought that the engineer did Th, nor did-he et the credit. But When it comes {0 an necident to his Vessel, tHe master "expresses. hima Inthe plural, We put her ashore Shanghai, Nov. 7.
Reason for Award To the Editor of the "Nonri-Cuiwa Datey News"
Sm—Two of your correspondents have seen ft to attack Captain Hugh Roberts whose vessel recently successfully eluded a U-boat, because he received the O.B.E, and a fraction of column of praise. The first cor Fespondent infers a boast on. the Captain's part by using Atone 1 pin asa nom de plume instead of, say, Jone he. did" It." The second openly. sarcastic, "and then promptly Uses the high sounding title Duer BNoween, Mencuant Navy (nEriED).
Both these attacks on the Captain are in extremely bod taste as he was probably the last man who considered 2 decoration. When brave men their duty. they review all iheir own actions during: the emergency in LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (continued) order to satisfy their own consciences that they have done everything themselves that they would expect another man to do.
Tu this case the OBE. was not given merely because the "vessel's Speed was Increased from 13% knots, 38 your worthy correspondents seem fo think, but because by the combined action of her entire crew under enemy' fire she was oxtrleated from ''most dangerous position. The Gov-sinment decided to confer an honour reflective on the Merchant Navy as a whole) for this achievement, and in this ease the logical man for the distinction was the Commander. Should a second honour be conferred, Would go to the Chief Engineer.
Returning to the incident itself! and. the Captain's position, it should tte pointed out that the average sea~ man Knows the surface speed of U-Boats to be around 15 or 16 knots. Therefore, when the Master of the supposedly 13% Knot vessel decided to attempt {0 elude the sub when well within range of her gun, either:
of the following positions ex-nan the ath, thos he action thought ble vessel had less Our Merchant Navy was not built on stich sentiments os expressed by Your. two correspondents, but The silent courage of capable and Srave men in their own. spheres aboard ship whether as" master Shiet engineer or merely as sailor oF reman,. to. whom duty means. me Snitely'more'than decoration and "AS far a3 decorations are concerned aman' may. receive the highest them for services to his country, While doing himself more' service, yerees another may make. the {greatest sceriice of all, the giving of his life, for no more' material gain wooden cross." Honour Some recipients of medals _never mention them, others tell you all bout them before you know them five mimites.. Therefore, my dear Atone Lp 1 aNo Cuter Encrern, Mencnanr Navy (erin), If you fe rebuked, just remember that 2 man's honour, especially when not here to defend himself, is not to be smeared with ally waste. The brave men who Uncompiainingly work in engine rooms and stokeholds at a time when they don't " know at what moment they may be b¥own to bits, command our respect and admiration.
Mac
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.