Prince Of Wales Travels (1925)

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• published: 13 Apr 2014
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Story on Prince of Wales (future King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor) setting out on a royal tour; but footage is more of life aboard ship for British sailors / British Royal Navy. Intertitle reads: "The last good-byes said, Captain Hope gave the order to cast off." MS back view Prince of Wales with ship's officers on bridge of HMS Repulse as ship casts off. Intertitle reads: "As the 'Repulse' proceeded to sea, the Prince returned the salutes from vessels in the harbour." Prince of Wales salutes as ship's Captain, Vice Admiral George Hope, looks through binoculars. Intertitle reads: "Forty-eight hours later, in the Bay of Biscay, the 'Repulse' passed through the lines of the Atlantic Fleet - homeward bound from Gibraltar." Travelling shot from Repulse, passing line of ships of the Atlantic Fleet in the Bay of Biscay; the Prince looks at them through a telescope with an officer. Intertitle reads: "The stately line of cruisers was followed by a strange looking vessel - the aeroplane carrier 'Argus'." (New intertitle) "Now the voyage had begun in earnest - and we settled down to the normal routine of life on board." M/S of a sailor on deck, silhouetted against the sunset as he holds a gushing water pipe - it looks like he is having a pee! Two other sailors enter shot and help to wash the deck with a bucket and broom. Intertitle reads: "After our morning clean down came 'Divisions' - Morning Parade - with inspection by the Prince." High angle shots from the upper deck of the Prince inspecting lines of sailors. Intertitle reads: "Then followed a muster for morning prayers." Various shots from morning prayer service on forecastle; chaplain with officers behind; sailors standing with caps off. Intertitle reads: "On... caps!" L/S of the sailors putting their caps on. Intertitle reads: "The impressive service in the clean morning air was followed by exercises." After service; sailors jog round the deck; in BG a group on forecastle does exercises. Intertitle reads: "As the 'Repulse' headed south into tropical seas we were glad to get into hot-weather kit - and out of it when opportunity offered." Recreation aboard the Repulse: sailors go for a dip in a swimming pool rigged up on deck. Shots of the men swimming; splashing and climbing on a bar just over the pool. Intertitle reads: "Our first port of call was Bathurst, the capital of the Gambia Colony, where we arrived on April 4th." Tracking shot of the coastline at Bathurst taken from the ship; Africans walk along by the shore. Africans watch the 'Repulse' come in to the pier. The Prince and other officers in white uniforms come ashore. A banner is strung across the path to the city walls reading 'The Gambia Heartily Greets Your Royal Highness'. Intertitle reads: "Young Bathurst - as represented by the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides - paid vociferous testimony to its --- loyalty." (title is decomposing and impossible to read.) Various shots of Gambian children, waving Union Jack flags and singing. Intertitle reads: "Then, to the strains of a weird and wonderful orchestra, the Prince received distinguished notabilities." Various shots of the Prince standing under a canopied-dais with some dignitaries, shaking hands with African men who come to the stand one by one; African men holding traditional instruments watch. African women strain for a view of the Prince. The Prince shakes hands with several European men - could be veterans? Intertitle reads: "The Prince displayed an almost professional interest in the various musical instruments." M/S of the Prince standing with a group of men, looking down at the African instruments. One of the men stands and plays his instrument; the Prince watches, then he and his entourage move on. Intertitle reads: "Buried in his art, our star performer had not realised that the Prince had moved off in search of other attractions." M/S of the man realising the Prince has moved on, then he starts to play again. Intertitle reads: "But Bathurst's red letter day was drawing to a close - and soon all roads led to the waterside, where the Colony gathered to wish the Prince bon voyage." Various shots of townspeople walking towards the waterfront to say farewell to the Prince. Note: parts of the film are decomposing. Some sections of the original story may be missing; earlier database record mentioned a sequence where sailors watch as mail is brought to the ship. 90,000 historic films, all SEARCHABLE on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/britishpathe Join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/britishpathe Tweet us @britishpathe FILM ID:738.14