Last Saturday the King reviewed the Home and Atlantic Fleets
at Spithead under the command of Sir Arthur Moore. The ships were arranged in seven columns, each nearly five miles long, and the imposing appearance of the new battleships justifies one in saying that a more impressive-looking Fleet was never seen; though we do not, of course, forget that how- ever impressive a fleet may be it is of no avail whatever unless it has the necessary superiority over its rivals, and as to that point a review proves nothing. Of the battleships which took part in the Coronation Review of King Edward VII. only those of the `Majestic' class reappeared last Saturday. The new destroyers—the `Swift' has a speed of 36 knots— were much admired, as well as the submarines of the D class. The D class are fitted with wireless telegraphy, and it is said that the E class, which are now building, will carry quick- firing guns—a development undreamed of when submarines were invented. The morning was rainy, and the ships were not dressed till 12 o'clock. When the King passed through the lines the ships were "wind-rode," and consequently were not lying broadside on, but were seen at an angle. This was a more exacting test of their alignment, and the Kinir
in his congratulatory message mentioned "the marked, precision of the lines." At night the Fleet was illuminated.
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