PICNIC PARTY IN CRUISER

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27563, 21 January 1955, Page 2

PICNIC PARTY IN CRUISER

Black Prince Plays Host

OUTING FOR FAMILIES OF SHIP’S COMPANY

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 20. H.M.N.Z.S. Black Prince played the part of a cruise ship today, when she steamed up the Hauraki Gulf for a picnic. On board were about 300 wives and other relatives of the ship’s company. They were free to wander about the ship, scramble over the guns and torpedo tubes, and participate in the running of a warship at sea. The only place that was definitely out of bounds was the bridge. The sun blazed from a cloudless sky, and the gulf waters, sparkled. There was just enough breeze for comfort. As the Black Prince got under way shortly after 11.30 a.m., the children —and there were scores of them—scrambled for the pompom and.Bofors guns. The guns were elevated, depressed, and traversed in every direction, and when one “gun’s crew” had “beaten up" the enemy, another lot slipped into their places. During the afternoon hundreds of imaginary aircraft plummeted into the sea. Apart from those actually engaged in sailing the ship and a few radar and radio technicians and stewards, the men had a day off to show their families round and play with the children. Lunch was a picnic affair under an awning shading the quarterdeck, and for the children the” Navy provided ice cream and soft drinks. Off Tiritiri Island, the ship’s speed was increased from about 10 knots to nearly 18 knots for a short time. “It. was a good opportunity to invite the crew’s families out/’ said the commander (Captain J. F. Whitfeld). “It encouraged friendly relations and gave the families a keener interest in a particular ship.” Although guests had previously been taken out in the Dominion’s warships, it was the first “family day” in the Royal New Zealand Navy.