ROYAL YACHT'S ESCORT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28825, 20 February 1959, Page 16

ROYAL YACHT'S ESCORT

Duty In Pacific For N.Z. Frigate fNew Zealand . Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 18. When the Royal yacht Britannia takes the Duke of Edinburgh to islands in the Gilbert and Ellice groups next month, she will be escorted by H.M.N.Z.S. Rotoiti. This was announced, today by the Minister of Defence (Mr Connolly). He said that the Rotoiti, which is commanded by Lieu-tenant-Commander L. E. Hodge, R.N.Z.N., of Auckland, would carry put her escort duties during her return to New Zealand after a year’s duty in the Far East. On March . 6 the Rotoiti, which has beeif attached to the Royal Navy’s 3rd Frigate Squadron, will join the squadron in escorting the Britannia into Hong Kong. Two days later the squadron will escort the Royal yacht when it leaves. 1 The Rotoiti will then detach from the squadron and begin her journey home. The first stop will be at Manus, in the Admiralty Islands. From there she will steam for Tarawa, in the Gilberts, meeting the fleet auxiliary Wave Master on the way and refuelling from her.

On March 25 the Rotoiti will rendezvous with the Royal yacht on the approaches to Tarawa. She will escort the Britannia in, and remain with her for Prince Philip’s visit. Bpth ships will leave on March 27, the Britannia steaming for Ocean Island and tne Rotoiti for Vaitupu, an island in the Ellice group. The Britannia and the Rotoiti will meet again off Vaitupu on March 30. Once again the New Zealand frigate will provide an escort for prince Philip’s visit. When the two ships leave, however, they will separate, the Britannia sailing for Christmas Island and the Rotoiti for Suva and Auckland, which she will reach on April 7.