Boats - Sailing - Ships

Feb. 26 The Mothball fleet at Devonport; Precious articles not wanted for immediate use, are wrapped in cotton wool carefully laid away but brought out from time to time to be examined, repaired and cleaned. That is what the Royal Navy does with its Reserve Fleet. In arteries, creeks and rivers connected with main arteries leading to the sea, warships of all kinds, some old timers, others of the latest design, are lying their guns sealed, their armaments and machinery closely wrapped guns sealed, their armaments and machinery closely wrapped in cocoons. Skeleton crews are kept aboard, their job being t o keep the ships in a constant state of repair and maintenance. Although they look harmless enough their transformation into fighting ships with steam up and guns ready for action, would be a matter of hours

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

Although Armaments Arteries Articles Carefully Cleaned Closely Cocoons Connected Constant Creeks Crews Devonport Does Enough Examined Harmless Immediate Kept Kinds Laid Maintenance Repair Repaired Sealed Timers Transformation Warships Wrapped

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