2 FEBRUARY 1940, Page 6

The entry into being of the Eire Navy on Monday

was a historic occasion. Apart from an aged vessel in Kingstown harbour, unknown to the books of reference, but described rather hesitantly as a gunboat by my chief source of Irish information, Southern Ireland stands naked and undefended against naval assault. Or stood, for coastal motor torpedo boat Mr (first of a projected fleet of six) is now in active service. She and her five consorts will not avail greatly against wandering Deutschlands,' but with their 50 knots, their torpedoes and depth charges, they should be capable of effective work against submarines. I am not sure whether even now the Eire navy will be as strong as the Swiss, but as the two are for various reasons unlikely to meet the question is not of the first importance.