U.K. Ship “Buzzed” By French Planes

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31129, 4 August 1966, Page 14

U.K. Ship “Buzzed” By French Planes

A United Kingdom cargo vessel bound for New Zealand was “buzzed” by French aircraft as it came within the area of French nuclear testing in the Pacific in June; and her master later received copies of photographs taken by the aircraft accompanied by a courteous note from the commander-in-chief of the French nuclear research station.

Captain G. W. McCathie, master of the m.v. Cornwall, said in Lyttelton yesterday that his vessel was bound from Balboa to Auckland on June 27 when the incident occurred.

Their position was about 100 miles north of Mururoa Atoll, the French nuclear testing base, two days before the area was to become dangerous. Captain McCathle said activity was starting to build up in the area and a number of ships were met “Between 4 p.m. and 4.30 pm. we were, well and truly *buzzed” by two French military aircraft which took photographs of us. “I wrote to the commander-in-chfef of the nuclear re-

search _ station, Muniroe Atoll, «re of the Government Office, Tahiti, saying that we had been circled and photographed by the French planes. I said that I was interested to

know if It was possible to obtain copies of the aerial photographs,” he said. Captain McCathie said he received the following reply on his arrival in Auckland from Vice-Admiral J. Lorain, Commandant le Groupe Operationnel des Experimentations Nutieaires:— “It is a pleasure for me to accede to your request for forwarding aerial photographs of your vessel taken on June 27. “I am at your disposal, if you should so desire, to let you have other photographs when another trip brings you into our waters—unfortunately a little dangerous at this time. Please do not hesitate to let me know.” Captain McCathie said he was most impressed with the courtesy of Admiral Lorain and with his prompt reply. The Cornwall is due to saQ for Dunedin today.