H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14638, 12 April 1913, Page 12

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

THE ARRIVAL AT MELBOURNE. DESTROYERS' WELCOME FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Oroji OCR own , cop.kespo.ndent.) MELBOURNE, April 2. Thanks to tlio kindness of the commander of H.M.A.S. the torpedo-boat destroyer Warrcgo, tho writer had the of buirig tho first Now Zoahi rider to meet the great Dreadnought Lattl.'-rruis'T New Zealand, on her arrivn.l in i\>rt Phillip. Punctually at 7 a.m. tho Warrego backed out from lior berth at tho pier and started at an easy gait of fourteen knots down tho Hay, fiilluwid closely by her sister destroyers, tho Yarra and Parramattn. Steaming in single line ahead, the throo destroyers madii a fino show as they toro alorm past incoming inerohantmcn, until a black blur of srnoko ahead told tis that tho New Zealand was rloso at liatul. Through the grey morning mist sho burst into view, a slant of early sun gilding the glistening grey paint of her huge superstructures. A.s the tlireo destroyers rioared Jier and -wheeled tharply into linn astern of tho great hhip, every detail of her became apparent, and sho looked truly magnificent. She inndo a great impression on thf« officers and crew of tho destroyers. A HUfJK FIGHTING MACHINE. The biggest and most powerful lighting ship that lias so far enmo east of Capetown, tho New Zealand is tho most impressive thing of man's creation that has ever entered an Australasian port. There is no beauty about the New Zea-land—battle-eruisem aro not built for their looks, but for speed and hitting power—and tho great ship has both. And yet. with all her ugliness, tho Zealand, for her size, has far finer lines thnn the ferry steamer Maori. The battle-oruiser is immenso—jujt on 'J(M) yards in length and well over 25 yards in breadth. There aro two huge steel tripods for masts, abovo which riao tapering wooden masts to support signal halyards and tho great spread of wireless "aerials"—thirty-two wires arranged in four sets of eight. The three funnels aro huge, and of somewhat unequal size—tho largest ■would scarcely IMiss the entrance of Lyttelton tunnel. Tho fchreo immense superstructures rise like great grey castles, tho forward carrying the. navigation bridge and conning-tower, and all bristling with 4-inch guns. Tho four squat turrets, ono forward, one on either side amidships, and ono aft, and each carrying a pair of 12in. guns, speak mutely, but eloquently, of tho terrific fighting power of the Sew Zealand. These huge guns, 46 feot in length and each weighing 57 tons 13cwt, aro so arranged +hat they can all be fired on either broadside, six can bo fired ahead' and six astern. Each shell weighs 8501b; each gun can iiro live shells per minute, and is sighted up to eleven miles, so that* H.M.S New Zealand could lio six miles out from J<ew Brighton pier, and, firing broadsido her eight guns, could pour into Christchurch 151 tons of shells «vary minute.

With her high speed, and her greater rango and hitting power, the /battle-cruiser New Zealand, in the open sea, could wipe out at her leisure the ■whole of the American battleship fleet which visited Auckland a few years a-go'. . The Now Zealand has five tor-pedo-tubes for discharging 25-inch torpedoes, and for repelling torpedo boats' attack sho carries sixteen 4in guns. At present her booms and nets tor intercepting torpedoes are not rigged. This, enormous floating fortress,, displacing nearly 20,000 tons, is propelled by foxir turbine-driven screws, developing over 45,000 horse-power, which, on her trial trips, drove her through the water at over 27 knots, and which are believed to bo capable ot 29 knots. Tho torpedo destroyers following her into port were built for speed, but tho New Zealand, which could tako the three of them, side by .sride, on her 80ft wide deck, which measures nearly equal to their combined lengths, and has nearly one hundred times tho tonnage displacement of any one of them, would bo more than a match for them in speed. That is a faint idea of the impression of speed, size- and power of H.M.S. New Zealand, which swept proudly up tho,Bay on Monday morning. "Thank you for coming to meet us," signalled the Now Zealand. "Glad io do so," replied tho Warrego. Threo hours after entering tho Hends. and one hour after being met by the destroyers, tho grrat battle-cnlisor, which hud been steaming at 12 knots, rounded up about a milo from Williamstown, and dropped anchor just beyond Gellibrand Pilo light. Sho signalled her thanks to tho destroyers, for their escort, as they turned" to make for their berths nt "WilLiamstown pier. "Glad of tho opportunity," replied tho Warrego. AUSTRALIAN IMPRESSIONS. It is difficult for the New Zealandcr to fully understand or appreciate the Australian spirit. Practically tho whole ot tho Australian Nary is at present in Port Phillip. H.M.A.S. Molßourne. a brand new cruiser of the Bristol tvoe slightly smaller than the Challenger and Encounter, but much faster, arrived at Porv Melbourne last week, and was accorded a great reception. The destroyers Warrego, Yarra, and Parramatta, and the old obsolete gunboats Protector and Palunia are at "Williamstown. Every bluejacket one met in the streets until tho liberty men from the New Zealand went ashore- on "Wednesday, hiul "H.M.A.S." ou his cap-ribbon. The Navy spirit is growing in Australia, and many people havo expressed the view to the writer of this article that, sooner or later, New Zealand must join forces with the Commonwealth in regard to naval matters. The Commonwealth will shortly welcome tho battle-cruiser ELM S. Australia, sister to tho New Zealand , , and H.M.A.S. Sydney, a sister cruiser to the Melbourne. The Prime Minister announced this week that it was proposed to build another battlecruiser, and inoro cruisers and torpedo boats.

And yet, in spit© of all this, H.M.S. New Zealand, the greatest anil mightiest warship that lias visited Australia, ami that received a wildly enthusiastic welcome at Capetown and Durban, where 96,000 people inspected her, steamed into Melbourne, almost unnoticed, save for tho welcome of tho torpedo destroyers. The officers and men of the American fleet were fett'd in a royal manner while here, but it does not appear as if .the men of H.M.S. New Zealand aro to be token tho slightest notice of. Tho officers

are being banquettcd by the State Government on Saturday night, but otherwist! there is no ceremony of any kind, and tho men havo been" ignored altogether. This is in marked contrast to the lavish entertainments and hospitality showered on the ship's company at Capetown and Durban, almost to surfeit, but doubtless tho men will be more than recompensed by the "royal" time which is being prepared for them in New Zenland. Officers and men are looking forward with keen anticipation to their arrival in Dominion waters.

The altitude of tho Australians seems to be: —"'The New Zealand js all riirht in her way, but you wait until the Australia gets here." One Melbourne paper, in its account of the arrival of H.M.S. New Zenland. referring to her forthcoming visit to New Zealand, snid :—"The visit will be a somewhat empty source of satisfaction to its givers. They will havo tho privilege of entertaining tho officers and crew— a somewhat Uarmceidal reward for their rronerosity. After the return to British waters, the warship will be RO absorbed into the British fleet as to lose any practical New Zealand significance except so far as the name is concerned. Tlio authorities made efforts to have the vessel manned as far a.s possible with New Zealanders. but wero unable to get more than half fi_ dozen or so. as them arc very few New Zealanders in the whole navy." This latter statement is dwidedly in-tero.s-tir.g, especially when it is known that the backbone and mainstay of the so-called Australian navy is Imperial navy men. The torpedo destroyers are under-manned, and their crew* aro mere boys. H.M.A.S. Melbourne has a largo number of Australians among her crew, but Imperial navy men are tho controlling factor.

COALING THE SHIP AT MELBOURNE. THE NAVY WAY. AUSTRALASIAN RECORD MADE. This story of the coaling of H. 51.5. New Zealand is being written on board tho New Zealand collier Katoa, which since early yesterday morning, has been pouring coal at tho average rate of nearly four tons per minute into [ tho cavernous depths of the bunkers of this monster warship. Tho collier is vibrating to tho strain of her eight winches which, working at top speed keep up a continuous roar, above which can bo hoard tho shouts and cries of toiling men, and tho clatter and squeak of iron barrows trundling across tho quarter-acre stretch of the warship's deck. 'Hie scene outside is ono to stir tho blood and is weird and wonderful in tho extreme. The New Zealand is riding at anchor about a milo from Gellibrand Pile lighthouse, and out there, on board warship and collier, is a grim picturo of Work—strenuous unceasing work such as has never beforo been seen in Melbourno or in any port in Australasia. 3loro than 750 men havo been hard ct work—shovelling, wheeling, tipping, and trimming coal. Coal is everywhere, nothing is talked of, thought of or touched, but coal. Warship, collier and men are black and begrimed with coal. THE PRICE OF SPEED. It takes coal, thousands of tons of it, to run a Dreadnought, and since she left Portsmouth early in February, tho New Zealand, though sho has been steaming at little moro than half-speed —a trifle over 15 knots an hour —has catofi. up between 8000 and 10,000 tons of coal. This monster cruise;-, on the Eassago from Durban to this port, timed 3000 tons of coal, and when she dropped anchor hero on 31onday morning, thero were only eight tons left in her bunkers. But sho had a reservo of 650 tons of oil-fuel. NEW ZEALAND COAL SUPPLIED. It had been arranged that the New Zealand should take in a full supply of 3000 tons of coal at this port, so that as little time as possible would be spent in tho dirty task of coaling while she is in New Zealand waters. Tho Union Company's collier Katoa loaded at Westport a full cargo of 3000 tons of best Admiralty coal. Tlie collier had been waiting here for five days, and shortly after H.M.S. New Zealand had anchored she went alongside and got her gear ready for an early start yesterday morning. READY TO COAL SHIP. Roused about 5 a.m. the warship men turned out iv > their hundreds and donned all manner of strango garbs in readiness for tho dirty day's work which lay ahead of them. A few uniforms were to bo seen, but they wero of tho very oldest. There were officers and men hardly distinguishable from ono another, in old clothes, sweaters, jerseys, dungarees, boiler-suits, torn shirts, and singlets, and even multi-coloured football "togs." A tramp or beachcomber would have looked askance at some of the clothes worn, and where such wardrobes came from in such a ship is a secret known only to navy men. Very soon these hundreds of strangely-clad men swarmed on deck. Hundreds of coal-shovels aud bags, dozens of strops shiny with grease, scores of hand-trucks wero got up from below, bunker-hole covers were lifted, and great canvas screens secured round tho great fortress-like superstructures %p keep out tho coal dust. Tho hugo squat turrets amidships, on either side of tho broad deck, each with its pair of grim 12-inch guns, wero turned inboard, and the guns elevated so as to give a clear passage beneath them. At » given signal a huge crowd of officers and men boarded the waiting collier, anil in a twinkling hatches and hatchbeams were lifted and stacked on deck. The four big holds were full to the i hatch-coamings with black, glistening j coal, which was presently being shovelled into bags, which were whisked jon board tho warship as fast as they I could be filled and stropped together. For a time the rate of discharge was not fast," as only a few men could work in the square of each hatch. Soon, however, tho coal began to drop like water running from a leaky can, and | onco below the deck level more and moro men wero crowded into the hatches, and work was in full swing.

Coaling ship in the Nary levels all ranks for tlic time being. Every man, whether commander, lieutenant, midshipman, seaman, stoker, or marine, works shoulder to shoulder, and works as though his very life depends—as it may really do at any hour—on Retting as much coal as possible into his ship in tho quickest possible time. STRENUOUS HOURS. There were no idlers anywhere, and tho strenuous toil and tho rate of discharge kept up for hour after hour was .1 revelation. Black and grimy, and almost, unrecognisable in their coating of coal-dust, men delved like ants into tho depths of the holds, and swarmed liko bees on tho deck of the New Zealand. For fire consecutive hours tho rate of discharge from th» collier was. respectively, 271 tons, 2Hj tons, 254 tons, 275 tons, and 206 , tons, a record for Australasian warsh:p coalins- Thafc men could keep going at such a rate all day, with very briei spells for meals and a break of barely seven hours for sleep last night, and start again at C o'clock this morning, fresh and cheerful, to finish the job, told that, at tho back of it all there was that sgirib of bulldog deUrmina-

tion which 3»as always obtained in the Navy. The remarks chalked on the result'board in No. l> hold yosttrday told of that spirit. The hatch had reached the "'top litio"' with a discharge of 81 tons lor tho hour. "'Good effort. More ginger! Do it Look ouv for forecaklo"; and next hour when tho figure is again SI tons—"V.G., but wo can do better."

Tho men turned-to again in their hundreds this morning. They were still b'.uck as the decks they trod tipon ; they had been too tired to wash overnight. Before (j o'clock they are at it and the coal is going on board in

tons. A spell for breakfast, and after an hour or two the after-holds of the collier aro emptied, then the forwardhold finished. There now remains only a few tons :n the big hold, but soon the floor is .scraped bare, and as eight hells (noon) -s struck, cheers from below tell that the job is done. The collier has been emptied, and the warship's bunkers filled with over 3000 tons of coal in barely twenty working hours. After dinner tho work of ''cleaning ship" starts with a liberal hosing of the decks, what time the collier is getting her crew together, in readiness to sail for Newcastle. Coaling gear is stowed out of sight, and the old clothes have disappeared, and before tho afternoon is far advanced tho New Zealand and her officers and men are as if "coaling ship' 'had never been. THE VESSEL'S VISIT TO MELBOURNE. NEW ZEAL ANDERS' INSPECTION. (ntO-I OUR OWN CORKESrONDEXT). MELBOURNE, April 4. Shortly after H. 31.5. New Zealand anchored in Hobson's Bay on 3londay morning, an official call on Captain Lionel Halsey was made by Sir Walter Barttclot, Bart., representing Lord Denman, Governor-General of tho Commonwealth, 3lr 11. J. 3lanson, representing tho New Zealand Government, and slr H. W. E. Manisty, secretary to the Australian Navy. The calls were returned by Captain Halsey in clue course, and on Wednesday Captain Halsey called on his Excellency the Governor of Victoria at State Government House. Captain Halsey also called on slr Tudor, tho senior Federal Minister in Melbourne, and on Thursday 31r Tudor (31inistcr of Customs) accompanied by the Hon. F. 31. B. Fisher, 3linister of 3larino and Customs, of New Zealand, who is on a visit to Melbourne, Rear-Admiral Sir W. Creswell (first member of tho Naval Board), and 3lr H. W. E. Manisty (secretary to the Australian Navy) returned the call. 31ELBOURNE NEW ZEALANDERS' VISIT. Since the arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand in 31elbourne, 3lr H. J. slanson, Dominion representative hore, has been besieged by New Zealanders resident and visiting, all anxious to inspect tho great ship. After conferring with Captain Halsey, 3lr Manson arranged for a visit of inspection yesterday afternoon, and about tlireo hundred' Now Zealanders responded to his invitation. Tho visitors were conveyed from Port Melbourne to tho warship in the ferry steamer Williams-own and several smaller steamers. Among those present were*.—Tho Hon. F. 31. B. Fisher (New Zealand 3linister of Customs and Marine), 31essrs W. B. Montgomery (secretary to the New Zealand Customs), H. J. 31anson, G. H. Browne (General manager of tho State coal mine) T. W. Beare, J. Bee, J. McKenzie Henry W. Gray, W. George, R. E. "Wood. J. Ounnimdiam, W. H. Quick, A. Campbell, ,E. T. Gould, and R. Linton, Dt. Smyth, and the Rev. F. G. Masters. In the absence of Captain Halsey, the visitors were received by Lieut. A. D. Boyle, and other officers, who took charge of parties and piloted them through the many decks, alley-ways and spaces of tho huge ship. No part of the ship, save tho wireless houso and the torpedo rooms was free from the presenco of the keenly interested visitors. The great 12-inch gun turrets were crammed with ladies and their escorts, -eager to watch tho working of the monster rifles. Tho top bridge, and the deep depths of tho wonderful engine-rooms and tho boilerrooms were crowded with visitors, tho lower regions of the ship being reached by means of tho electric lifts. The visitors were entertained at afternoon tea served in the ward-room and the gunroom, while tho ship's fine band discoursed music on tho quarter-deck. Tlie ship's pots, • including "Pclorus Jack," the comical little bulldog, and a tiny jackal, wore fondled by crowds of admiring ladies, the silver cups and plato presented to the ship, and the thousands of other wonderful -and cnteresting features of this modern Dreadnought were admired or marvelled at.

The ship's officers, among whom was Lieutenant- H.S.H. Prince George of Battenburg, and the other members of tho crew, were untiring in their efforts to entertain their visitors and answer their rapid fire of questions. Much disappointment lias been expressed at the notification that the New Zealand will bo unable to go alongside the town pier at Port Melbourne, owing to her great draught. Having taken in 3000 tons of coril tho battle-cruiser is drawing over 30 feet aft. and it has been considered advisable for hor to remain at her anchorage off Gellibrand Pile light, about four miles from Port Melbourne.

It is understood that the. New Zealand will carry out her quarterly steam trials on the passage across, during tho progress of which she will probably work up to a speed of 28 knots an hour. Tho vessel will be of lighter draught when she reaches Wellington, and will probably bo berthed there. She will probably also go alongside at Auckland. In regard to Lyttelton, the question of berthing has not been decided upon. Captain Halsey visited Lyttelton several times while in command of H.M.S. Powerful, and ho has been seeking the latest information regarding the port and its depth of water. If Captain Halsey deems it safe and prudent, H.M.S. New Zealand ■« iil certainly berth at Lyttelton. THE SHIP'S OFFICERS. in view of her early arrival in .New Zealand waters, the following list of her officers will be of interest: —Captain, Lionel Haisey : commander, Henry E. Grace; lieutenants, (N> Edward R. Jones, (I) Dudley l>. N. North, i'G) Richard T. I>o\vn, (T) Archibald A. liovett-Cameron, Geoffrey W. Walker Jones. Rupert C. Garsia, Alexander D. Boyle, and John S. Bovill: lieutenant, H.N.R., C'yr:l Gore {acting): en-gineer-commander, Thomas 11. Turner; engineer-lieutenants, Jehu 1). Grieve. Ernest. McK. Phillips, and Harry G. Marshall; captain, R.M.A., Harold B'.ount: chaplain. Rev. James Scott; fleet—-urgeon, Cecil }i. Hock: staffsurgeon, James R. A. Clark-Hall; staff-paymaster, Frank P. E. Hanham: sub-lieutenants, Penrose L. Barcroft, and H.S.H. Prince George, L.V.H.S. of Battenburg (acting); as-sistant-paymasters, Arthur C. A. Janion and U) I>enzil It. Thurstan: gunners, Jeaso H. Mack. (T) James C. Willis, and Vincent S. Robinson (acting) (for instructional duties): boatswains. Sydney C. Logge and William J. Reyuolds (acting) (for Q.D.

duties): William 11. Head (acting) (for Q.D. duties); sig.-boatswain, Albert Lewis; R.M. gunner, Albert E. Elliott; carpenter, Robert Isitt; artificer-en-gineers, John Lamond, Robert K. Weir (acting!, and Percy E. Brooker (acting); midshipmen, Anthony G. Cuuard, the Right Hon. Lord *Burghersh. Claud B. Graham "Watson, Patrick B. V. Heard, Arthur H. C. Barlow, Hugh B. Anderson. Clare G. Vyner, the Right Hon. the Earl of Carlisle. Geoffrey T. A. Scott. Thomas A. W. Robertson, John C. Anneslev, Oliver J. L. Symon, Albert 1,. Poland, Cecil 8. Miller. Edmund, G. B. Coore, and Cuthbert F. B. Bowiby. VESSEL'S MOVEMENTS IN NEW ZEALAND. WILL SHE ENTER LYTTELTON? A DUNEDIN SPECULATION. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") DUNEDIN, April 11. The impression seems to exist that Captain Halsey may hesitate to take tho New Zealand into Lyttelton Harbour, and that he may anchor outside, just as she will have to do in Otngo. If that is not an erroneous impression it may furnish an explanation of the suggestion that a party of school children should bo taken from Dunedin to Wellington to view the ship. STATEMENT BY MTt CYRUS WILLJAMS. The foregoing message was brought under the notice of Mr Cyrus Williams. Secretary and Engineer of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, by a "Press" representative yesterday. Mr Williams stated that ho had already despatched tho following cablegram to Captain HalKoy:—'Owing to difficulties of embarking school children and other visitors off Camp Bay, tho Board hopes that you will allow your ship to be berthed at No. 3 jetty at Lyttelton. Can safely berth you drawing up to thirty feet. Harbourmaster will submit to you on arrival plans of soundings just made." Mr Williams stated that the message sent (represented tho official pronouncement of the. Board regarding the suitability of Lyttelton Harbour for the passage, of tho New Zealand. Full information bearing out the statement would bo supplied to Captain Halsey, and it was then entirely his business to decide what course ho would adopt. It was not for anybody elso to say whether ho should bring the ship into Lyttelton or not, and it was absurd for people to try and exert pressure on a man in Captain Halsey*s position. RAIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN. FREE WITHIN LIMITS. (TRESS ASSOCIATION- TELEGRAM.) "WELLINGTON, April 11. Mr Massey states that tho following arrangements aro being mado with regard to tho conveyance by rail of school children visiting ports for the purpose of seeing tho battleship:— (1) School children, 11 years or over, to bo conveyed to ports at school-day excursion rates when travelling together in charge of school teachers or school committees. (2) It is impossible to provide trains sufficient to convey younger children, but if it is found possible to reduce tho ago limit to 10 years it will bo done.

(3) In cases where children can return home tho same day as they leave home, the fares payablo will be provided out of a special' vote, and they will therefore travel free, but it is impossible to provido freo travel. for children coming beyond the limits fixed by this rule. GOVERNOR'S~WELCOMJB ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE. (rRESS ASSOCIATION TELEOKAM.) WELLINGTON, April 11. His Excellency tho Governor addressed the following message to-day to Captain Halsey, H.M.S. New Zealand: "On behalf of my Government and the people of Now Zealand, I extend a cordial welcorno to ■ these islands to yourself, your officers and crew. I can assure you that all classes of people are eagerly looking forward to seeing the ship which bears the name of this Dominion." (Signed) Liverpool, Governor. Lord Liverpool to-night received tho following reply:— "All on board desiro to heartily thank you and your Government for your kind message of welcome. Wβ aro pleased to be nearing the shores of your Dominion and proud to serve in the ship which she has so magnanimously given to defend our Empire. Wo are looking forward to meeting our kinsmen." (Signed) Captain Halsey. TOJXYY'S RECEPTION IS WELLINGTON. ! <PRES3 ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, April 11. Arrangements for welcoming tho battleship New Zealand to-morrow are now in full train. The warship wilL arrive at the Heads about 1.15 p.m., and as she comes up tho harbour sho will bo met by steamers, yachts and motor launches, which will escort her to the man-of-war anchorage. J lie Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet will bo on the Tutanekai, and members of Parliament and Government officials on tho Hinemoa. After tho battleship has anchored. Captain .Halsey will pay an ofhoial visit to tho Governor at Government House. The Governor will then return the visit. This will bo followed by official visits to tho Commander by Cabinet Ministers, the Mayor and City Councillors, and tho chairmah. and members of the Harbour Board in turn. At these visits there will be no speeches. At present the weather prospects aro not reassuring.

Mv J. J. Douccull, Christclinroh president of tho Na"vy League, sent the following wireless message to Captain HalsQv/of H..M.S. New Zealand: — '•Canterbury branch of_ the Xavy League welcomes ship to New Zealand waters.' , Mr Dougail received the following reply from Captain Halsey :--■"Very many thanks for kind' messaw, of welcome. We are glad to be nearing the country after which we are named/ Yesterday the Mayor. Mr H. Hol ; land, on behalf of ihe citizens of Cir.isteliiireh. sent a message of welcome to Captain HaLsey and the officers and men of the »w Zealand.