Minesweeper To Be Paid Off

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31239, 10 December 1966, Page 19

Minesweeper To Be Paid Off

H.M.N.Z.S. Hickleton, a i i minesweeper, was paid off at Portsmouth yesterday. The Hickleton, and her sister ship, the Santon, which has already been paid off, were commissioned for service with the Royal New Zealand Navy in April, 1965. The minesweepers joined the Royal Navy’s 11th Minesweeping Squadron as part of New Zealand’s contribution to the defence of Malaysia. The Hickleton and the Santon were engaged in frequent patrols in the constant search

for Indonesian infiltrators who tried to slip into Malaysia during confrontation. During the first five months of service with the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Hickleton and the Santon between them steamed a total of 32,154 miles, more than once round the world. One of the highlights of the Hickleton’s tour of duty in the Far East came in June this year when she joined British and Australian Navy ships for Commonwealth exercises of the coast of Sarawak.

After the exercises the Hickleton returned to Singapore to be there for the visit of the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, to the Far East. Sir Bernard Fergusson spent a day at sea on board the minesweeper. During her time in the Far East the Hickleton became a popular ship with the 11th Minesweeping Squadron, in spite of a tendency to defeat the other ships in all fields of sport. Her popularity was proved

by the rousing farewell she was given when she left Singapore for the last time on the first leg of her journey home. The officers and men on board the Hickleton will be flown to New Zealand in time to spend Christmas at home.