Three Ships For Nuclear Efficiency

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30541, 9 September 1964, Page 3

Three Ships For Nuclear Efficiency

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 8. Task Force One was a self-contained fighting unit, its comman-der-in-chief, RearAdmiral Bernard M. Strean, told a press conference today after the cruiser Long Beach and the frigate Bainbridge arrived at Wellington.

The two ships had latest anti - submarine detection equipment and weapons, and the aircraft-carrier Enterprise could provide ample air cover, he said. The force also had medium and long-range missiles to strike at other ships.

This was the first time the three surface nuclear-powered ships in the Navy had operated together, said Admiral Strean.

They were so efficient together that it was hoped this would be a permanent arrangement, with perhaps the addition of a nuclear submarine. New and better nuclear reactors were being developed, and the Enterprise would be fitted with one when she completed the present cruise, said Admiral Strean.

Admiral Strean said nuclear-power carriers cost

about a third more to build than conventional carriers, but there were huge savings in fuel and maintenance.

The Enterprise did not have to carry black oil for herself, and the extra storage space allowed her to increase the range of aircraft by carrying extra je* fuel, and the range of conventional escorts by carrying black oil for them.

The role of the 721-foot Long Beach, which has a complement of 60 officers and 900 men, is one of “spearheading the defence of the striking force.” It has two Terrier missile launchers forward, one Talos missile launcher aft and an

anti ■ submarine rocket launcher amidships. The cruiser also has two five-inch/38 gun mounts amidships and two triple cluster torpedo launchers which also form her armament.

Admiral Strean said feeding the 4600 men on the Enterprise was a huge task. The best system was to keep the restaurant open all day, giving a man food whenever he wanted it

Surprisingly, this resulted in a lower consumption than if the restaurant opened only at normal meal hours.

The warships were given a high-powered welcome. Thirty-five to 40 knot winds

whipped the harbour into choppy confusion upsetting timetables as special guests left Queen’s Wharf to visit the ships anchored a mile out in the stream.

Spray-drenched American seamen battled in heavy swell alongside the Long Beach for almost half an hour in their efforts to unload the cruiser’s first V.l.P.’s—the American Ambassador (Mr Herbert B. Powell) and Mrs Powell. Mrs Powell experienced most of the these anxious moments alone as the captain’s launch was shipped away from the cruiser by the chop seconds after her husband had landed. It took 15 minutes to get the launch alongside again and enable Mrs Powell to rejoin the Ambassador on the gangway. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and Mrs Holyoake boarded the Long Beach 20 minutes later. A guard of honour of United States Marines was then inspected by the official party. Earlier, a press party—the first civilians to board the Long Beach—received a complete drenching when it travelled out to the cruiser in an open liberty boat. Reporters and photographers got little further than the head of the gangway. Photography on board was forbidden and the interior of the ship was not open for in-

spection. Some of the superstructure, containing missiles, was also roped off. The frigate Bainbridge differed little from the conventional warship appearance but the Long Beach, with her huge, square bridge with a mass of radar gear seemed different from the accepted version of a naval vessel. Five hundred visitors chosen by ballot boarded the two vessels today while more than 1000 men went on liberty. The Enterprise will meet the Long Beach and Bainbridge tomorrow in Cook Strait.

The climax of the two-day stop will be provided tomorrow when the Enterprise demonstrates her fire-power off the coast near Kapiti Island. Later she will launch flights of supersonic aircraft over Wellington and Christchurch. The Long Beach will also give a display of fire power off the New Zealand coast tomorrow.