PACIFIC CRUISE BY HAWEA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 6

PACIFIC CRUISE BY HAWEA

FRIGATE RETURNS TO AUCKLAND

(New Zealand Press Association} AUCKLAND, March 23. Bound originally for Korea but diverted on the orders of the Naval Board to the Pacific islands, the frigate Hawea, commanded by Lieu-tenant-Commander J. P. Tulloch, R.N.Z.N., returned to the Devonport Naval Base this afternoon after a 10 weeks’ cruise. The Hawea’s first call was at Suva, where she stayed for six days. Members of her crew took part in Rugby, soccer, and cricket matches and in a swimming carnival. After a short stop at Lambassa, the Hawea steamed to Funafuti, the main island in the Ellice group. She was the first ship of the Royal New Zealand Navy to visit the* islands since 1951. The ship visited Nanumunga, Nanumea, and Tamana, Other islands in the group, before she was directed by the Naval Board to Kwajalein, a United States naval base, to refuel, replenish stores, and join an American task group in the search for a Royal Air Force Canberra. For eight days five ships swept the ocean in vain for signs of wreckage. The Hawea carried on to Tarawa, in the Gilbert Islands. Betio beach. Where United States Marines stormed ashore in the face of withering Japanese fire, still showed many signs of the grim battle. Wrecked landing craft and other equipment littered parts of the beach. A quick visit was made to Fiji to refuel, and then the Hawea steamed to Niue. A north-wefeterly gale blew up during the second. day of the visit, and the frigate had to put to sea with many of her men ashore. She went to the lee side of the island, where the men ashore were brought out to the ship through the surf in native canoes.

After a week at Devonport the Hawea will sail for Dunedin to train compulsory naval reservists.