THE BREEZE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20462, 4 February 1932, Page 8

THE BREEZE.

TARGET FOR WARSHIPS. PRACTICE NEXT WEDNESDAY. [THE PEEBS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, February 3. To be shelled and Bunk by warships is the fate which will befall the coastal steamer Breeze next Wednesday, when she will become a practice target for the sloops Veronica and Laburnum. If gunfire fails to sink the vessel, she will be blown up by other means. The Breeze, which has been offered to the naval authorities as a target by the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company, stranded near Port Bobinson during a dense fog on the morning of December 18th. To the accompaniment of strenuous pumping the vessel managed to reach Lyttelton, but it was found that extensive damage had been done to the hull anti keel, and that the cost of repairs would not be warranted. The sloop Veronica left Auckland for Lyttelton yesterday, and the Laburnum will arrive on Wednesday morning. She will be met off shore by the Veronica with the Breeze in tow. The sloops •will then carry out firing practice on the hull. Each sloop carries two 4in guns, and will fire 20 rounds from each gun, making 80 rounds in all. Six rounds from each gun will be explosive shell, which is unusual ammunition to use on a practice shoot, but without which it would not be possible to 'sink the target, an end not sought at ordinary target practice. It is hoped that the high explosive ammunition will ensure the desired result, but if the Breeze should still be afloat when all the rounds are fired, an explosive charge will be placed aboard her and she will be blown up.