H.M.S. ACHILLES RETURNS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22705, 9 May 1939, Page 6

H.M.S. ACHILLES RETURNS

AEROPLANE LOST IN RED SEA ISLANDS CRUISE PROBABLE IN JULY CTXXII ASSOCXJLTIOK TBLIOBAM.) AUCKLAND, May 8. Without her amphibian aircraft, which sank in the Red Sea while taking off for a routine flight, the cruiser Achilles returned to Auckland to-day. She did not have the best of voyages on the way out from England, where she went at the end of last year for recommissioning. In addition to the loss of her aircraft, one of the seamen, an Aucklander, died at Gibraltar. Another was put ashore and left at Colombo for an operation, and two more members of the crew were sent to the Auckland Hospital to-day for observation. For most of the cruise the weather was very unpleasant, the Mediterranean being in stormy mood. The-warmth of the welcome which greeted the vessel on arrival, However, must have more than compensated for the misfortunes of the voyage. All but about 20 of the seamen, and about 50 per cent, of the stokers, are New Zealand ratings, and their relatives and friends went to .the Devonport naval base in force to greet ttyem. Some of the men' on board, who have been on interchange with the British Fleet for three years, had not seen their families for that length of time, and for these the reunion was especially pleasant. i When the accident occurred to the aircraft it had been lowered into the water while the cruiser was on her way from Port Said to Aden, and was taxi-ing along the surface when one of the wing floats collapsed, and the machine tipped over on its side and sank. The aircraft, which was the one which the Achilles took from New Zealand, was piloted by Sub-Lieutenant Sykes, and had its full crew. The accident happened something over a quarter of a mile from the ship, and Sub-Lieutenant Sykes and the crew at once jumped into the collapsible boat belonging to the machine. A boat was also launched by the Achilles: but the men had already rescued therpselves, none being injured. A sudden illness was stated to have caused the death of Ordinary Seaman J. G. Lamb, of Mount Eden. He was sent to hospital at Gibraltar, and the cruiser heard later of his death. • An Old Anchor i Another episode in the cruiser’s voyage also occurred at Gibraltar, where she was based for three weeks for a “work out.” One day when she was weighing anchor to go out to sea for gunnery practice, the cable was found to be entangled with a huge anchor. estimated to weigh about 10 tons, qf the type used by vessels such as the Victory 100 years and more ago. When it was finally raised it stretched from the surface tb 'the cruiser’s hawse pipe. The Achilles took it to sea and dropped it again in deep water. The officers were amazed that it should have lain so long in Gibraltar harbour without being accidentally raised before, since the port is always alive with warships. After leaving the Mediterranean the Achilles went on to Colombo, where Able Seman H. J. Cleave was landed for an appendicitis operation. He is now on his way out to Auckland by steamer. From Colombo the cruiser went to Singapore, then came on to Auckland, this section of the voyage taking 16 days, and being marked by stormy weather off the Australian coast. The two men sent to hospital to-day were Chief Cook W. Ballard, an Imperial rating, and Stoker S. Foster, a New Zealander. The Achilles will now remain in port while various amounts of leave are given the crew. Some of those who have been on interchange with the British Fleet have as much as about 80 days to enjoy. On July 5 the cruiser is expected to leave Auckland again to make a cruise to the Pacific Island groups, with the GovernorGeneral. Details have not yet been approved; but the vessel will probably be away until August 16. OFFICERS OF THE ACHILLES THREE NEW ZEALANDERS INCLUDED [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, May 8. Three New Zealanders are included among the new officers of the Achilles. They are Lieutenant R. E. Washbourri, gunnery officer; Surgeon-Lieutenant C. G. Hunter, and Warrant Officer G. R. Davis-Gofl. Apart'from these and the commander, Captain W. E. Parry, the complete list is:— Commander D. M. L. Neame; Lieu-tenant-Commander P. T. A. Love; Lieutenants G. G. Cowburn, P. P. M. Green, R. C. Sewell, F. E. Brooking, W. Moresby; Sub-Lieutenants I. F. Sommerville, and E. W. Sykes; Commander (Engineer) H. W. Head; Lieutenants (Engineer) J. A. R. Abbott and C. F. Morrow; Paymaster-Commander H. T. Isaac; Paymastei>Lieutenant J. D. Trythall; Paymaster Sub-Liehten-ant P, H. G. Richardson; Captain (Royal Marines) J. Lampen; and Messrs H. T. Burchell (Gunner),(E. J. Watts (Gunner), P. S. Watt (Acting Warrant Shipwright), J. F. Swift ’ (Warrant Electrician), C. Carr (Schoolmaster), A. J. T. Shoring (Warrant Engineer), C. HT J. Stone (Warrant Engineer), and H. G. Slade. (Warrant Engineer), and Probationary Lieutenant E. M. C. Stevens, of the New Zealand division of the Royal Naval Reserve.