NEW CRUISER FOR DOMINION

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 12

NEW CRUISER FOR DOMINION

“Bang Up-To-Date” Ship ASSURANCE BY CHIEF NAVAL ENGINEER (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 26. The cruiser Royalist, which is to replace the Bellona in New Zealand, is “bang up-to-date, with all the latest horrors of war man can produce,” according to Vice-Admiral Sir Frank Mason, Engineer-in-Chief of the Royal Navy. At a press conference in Wellington today, he said he wanted to correct an impression that New Zealand was buying a “second-hand” ship. “Far from it,” he said. “In the Royalist, you will have a thoroughly up-to-date cruiser, carrying the latest of equipment.” The Royalist was being modernised at a cost of £4,000,000, he said. Sir Frank Mason spoke of the Royal Navy’s latest “brain child,” a revolu-tionary-type diesel engine—the Deltic —which was being fitted in fast patrol boats and minesweepers. He compared its power with that of the large diesels that propel merchant ships, “but whereas these engines are 30 feet high and weigh 170 tons, the Deltic is only six feet high, and weighs 4? tons.”

Sir Frank Mason, who is accompanied by Commander D. P. Sparham. Assistant Engineer-in-Chief, is visiting New Zealand for a week as a guest of the Government. Todav. Sir Frank Mason met the Prime ' Minister (Mr Holland) and members of the Cabinet. He will return to Auckland on Saturday, and leave by air for Singapore on Monday.