COMBINED NAVAL SQUADRONS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20956, 9 September 1933, Page 13

COMBINED NAVAL SQUADRONS

♦__ —. Gunnery Exercises Carried Out IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE IN HAURAKI GULF [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, September 8. Exercises of a major nature were carried out by the combined Australian and New Zealand naval squadrons in the Hauraki Gulf. They provided a rare spectacle and a magnificent example of the cool efficiency of modern naval gunnery. Thrills in plenty were provided by full calibre shooting at a battle practice target, carried out during the morning by H.M.A.S. Canberra, 11.M.A.5. Australia, and H.M.S. Diomode. H.M.S. Dunedin left her anchorage early with the target in tow, and soon the Australian cruisers were sighted steering in the direction of the Little Barrier, while the Diomede was some distance away toward Kawau. It was a perfect spring morning, warm and sunnv; and the four cruisers provided an impressive sight as they moved majestically over the calm waters of the guif. The target, with its tall framework superstructure, was towed about 750 yards astern of the Dunedin. Toward 11 o'clock, the Australian cruisers were framed by the towering background of the Little Bari rier, and then the Canberra, which was in the lead, swung about. She was about seven miles away. Canberra Opens Fire. Suddenly one saw a fish of flame, accompanied by a puff of brown smoke. The Australian flagship had opened fire. After what seemed minutes of waiting, there was a sudden splitting crack, followed by a dull echo. There was a peculiar whirring sound of shells hurtling through the air, and then eight. 250pound projectiles crashed into the water on either side of the target. Columns of spray spouted upward to a height of about 50 feet, and then slowly subsided. Broadside alter broadside was fired from the Canberra's massive eight-inch guns. Then the Australia swung about, and took up the attack with the same regular whirr and splash. From the afterdeck of the Dunedin, the spectacle of the shells falling all round the target was thrilling to watch. When the Australia had completed her practice, the Diomede brought her six-inch armament into action from slightly shorter range. The fall of each shell was carefully observed from the Dunedin, which, at the completion of highly successful exercises, returned to licr anchorage to moor ; the target. Aerial Target Used. I In the afternoon, all four cruisers ! co-operated in full calibre highangle shooting at an aerial target towed by a seaplane. The Canberra was in the lead, with the Dunedin, Australia, and Diomede in that order keeping stations behind her. The seaplane appeared as a small silvery speck at a height of 9000 feet. With a red target towed behind on a long wire, she flew up and down for observation purposes, and as she returned a blue flag was run up on the Canberra's foremast. The Australian flagship then opened fire. Sharp stabs of flame were followed by reports like the crack of a giant whip, and the shell bursts appeared in pairs, following accurately the rapidly moving target. The seaplane turned back and the Dunedin took up the attack. The gun crews worked with accuracy. Occasional orders were shouted; but the efrort was physical rather than vocal. With each shot the cruiser's decks gave a convulsive shudder. At the conclusion of the . Dunedin's shoot, the Australia and the Diomede carried on in turn. All four shoots were carried out to starboard, and then the four cruisers engaged an enemy to port before the exercise was completed. j CANBERRA'S VISIT TO I LYTTELTON ENTERTAINMENT OF OFFICERS AND CREW Reports on the arrangements made by the various committees in charge of the entertainment of the officers and seamen of the Australian cruiser H.M.A.S. Canberra, which will be in Lytteiton from September 12 to September 18, were made to a meeting of the general entertainment committee yesterday. Mr J. W. Beanland presided. The secretary, Mr C. J. Treleaven, said the Canberra would arrive in Lytteiton at 9 a.m. on September 12. Official calls on the ship would be made by the Mayor of Christchurch, the Mayor of Lytteiton, the chairman and officials of the Lytteiton Harbour Board, the officers of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League, and the president of the Canterbury Officers' Club. The calls would be returned by RearAdmiral R. C. Dalglish and his officers. The Programme. On September 12 200 men from the ship would be entertained at a dance at the Cafe Frascati and another 200 men the following night On September 13 billiards and miniature rifle matches between teams of 10 men from the ship and the Christchurch Working Men's Club would be held. The club would also entertain about 50 men at a social the following evening. On Sent ember 15 invitations would be ovtended to the officers to attend " citizens' ball in the evening and 150 men wore invited to attend a Navv and Army reunion in Jellicoe Hall under the auspices of the Canterbury Returned Soldiers' Association On Saturday. September 16. the officers and men had been invifpd tn attend the soring meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Club at Ashburton, and were also to be the guests of the Canterbury Rueb" Union to see the Ranfurly Shield match Canterbury v. Taranaki. On the Sunday 300 men would be taken lon a motor run into the countrv ears leaving the Christchurch railway station at 10 a.m. Luncheon would be provided and tea would

be served at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms. Proposed Visit to Aerodrome. On the motion of Mr H. G. Livingstone it was decided to endeavour to make arrangements for the officers and men to visit Wigram Aerodrome. Mr J. J. Dougall (chairman of the ball committee) said 30 officers would attend the ball. Tickets would be on sale to-dav. ReDorting on behalf of the en♦ertninment committee, Mr Beanland said thorough arrangements had been made for the motor run and dances to be tendered to the men. Mr J. S. Hawkes was making to have cars for the motor run; b"t. in the event of hfirff sufficient vehicles he (Mr Beanland") had made arrangements to have the use of tramway buses. NEW ZEALAND CRUISERS RETURN TO PORT AUSTRALIAN SHIPS TO SAIL FOR SOUTH TO-DAY (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEI.EOEAJt.) AUCKLAND, September 3. With three days of concentrated exercises successfully completed, ■H.M.S. Dunedin, flagship of Commodore Burges Watson, returned to port this afternoon. She was followed early in the evening by H.M.S. Diomede, with the large battle practice target in tow. After the completion of torpedo attacks, which were included in today's exercises, the cruisers of the Australian squadron remained in the Hauraki Gulf. They will sail to-morrow —the Canberra, flagship of Rear-Admiral Dalglish, for Lyttelton, and the Australia for Dunedin. Before the New Zealand cruisers left, the signal "Au Revoir" was made from the Canberra. The Dunedin replied, "Thank you very much. Hope you have pleasant voyage." The Canberra's flying-boat tomorrow morning will collect andi deliver mail, and with all traces of j the battle practice removed, the Australian squadron will leave for the south later in the day. The Dunedin will have only a short stay in port, as she will leave on her southern cruise on Monday. The Diomede will remain in port until September 18, when she too will leave on a cruise to southern ports. I Particulars of the citizens' ball to Rear-Admiral Dalglish and the commissioned officers of H.M.A.S. Canberra, and of the dances to be given by women, to the petty officers and men of the ship, will be found advertised elsewhere.