Reservists Had Interesting Training Cruise In South

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31277, 25 January 1967, Page 18

Reservists Had Interesting Training Cruise In South

The annual sea exercises of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve concluded recently with the return to Lyttelton of the seaward defence motor launch P 3563. This launch is the training vessel for the Canterbury division of the reserve, (H.M.N.Z.S. .Pegasus) and one of four launches that took part in exercises for, three weeks, commencing on December 26. Launches attached to the two North Island divisions, H.M.N.Z.S. Olphert (Wellington) and H.M.N.Z.S. Ngapona (Auckland) met by arrange-

ment off East Cape and proceeded to the Bay of Islands area while the two South Island launches chose Southland, Stewart Island and Milford Sound. The Pegasus and Toroa met off Oamaru and spent the first week visiting the Stewart Island area, circumnavigating the island and calling at Oban, Paterson Inlet and Port Pegasus. Some time was spent in checking the hydrographic features of the chart of Port Pegasus dated 1849, and three features involving submerged pinnacles and reefs were noted to be at variance with the chart. It was considered that at least one suggested anchorage had been rendered unsafe over the years by the tremendous growth of kelp in the area. To Milford Sound The launches changed crews at Bluff on January 1, and for the second phase of the exercise proceeded to Milford Sound. Normally at this time of the year, the weather in Foveaux Strait and on the West Coast is unsuitable for long passages by launches of this size, but the run from Bluff, though “lively,” resulted only in a six-hour delay on the estimated time of arrival at Milford. Two days were spent in Milford Sound with visits to Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Deep Cove and Pickersgill Harbour, which Captain Cook used as a base for H.M.S. Resolution.

Highlights of the visit to Deep Cove were a visit to the Wanganella and a tour of the Deep Cove tunnel site and Manapouri hydro scheme. The comprehensive exercise was mainly carried out in the enclosed waters of these Sounds, the open sea proving too difficult for close manoeuvring. Tests and Training Communication by flags and radio, towing, fleet manoeuvres, screening, zigzags, safety drills, and navigational tests formed only part of the programme which covered a period of 17 days. Junior officers were trained in officer-of-the-watch duties and watchkeeping officers constantly practised celestial navigation on the passage. On the return from Milford Sound, the launches called at the Puysegur Point lighthouse to deliver library books and stores for the Marine Department, and carried out further investigation of the northern entrance to Preservation Inlet, searching for submerged pinnacles and reefs.

Some difficulty was experienced in certain sounds, in negotiating the hundreds of buoys marking crayfish pots. Commercial fishermen were active in the area.

For the passage from Bluff to Lyttelton, a further crew change was made, and the Pegasus,-in company with the Toroa, arrived at Port Chal-

mers on January 12, passing H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour, which was putting to sea. The Pegasus sailed the next day for Timaru and Akaroa, and arrived at Lyttelton on January 17, having steamed approximately 1500 miles. All Volunteers The maximum capacity of these launches is between 12 and 14 officers and ratings. About 30 took part in the Pegasus, and slightly fewer in the Toroa, throughout the period. All were volunteers, taking part of their annual holiday for the purpose of consolidating the classroom instruction of 1966. Only minor defects were evident, which reflects well on the planned maintenance programme carried out voluntarily by the reservists themselves.

Waves up to 10ft were met in the south and on the return trip, coastal fog and high winds being the worst feature. For several reservists, it was the first sea voyage, but all acclaimed the trip as a highlight of their voluntary naval career, in spite of a few cases of seasickness. In 1965, all the launches gathered in Queen Charlotte Sound, and the previous year, nine Naval Reserve and Fishery Protection launches exercised in the Hauraki Gulf. Commander R. F. Sanderson, commanding officer of the Canterbury Division, on his return to Lyttelton, said that with such trips to look forward to each year, it was difficult to understand why the division did not have a waiting list, as it had had in the 1930’5. Service Abroad

Officers and ratings of the Division served last year on ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy in the United Kingdom, Australia, the Antarctic, and the Far East. Others made coastal passages in the Royal Navy’s submarine Tabard and returned with her to Australia. Some joined H.M.S. Leander when she was in New Zealand waters, and one officer joined a ship in Singapore and delivered the ship to the United Kifigdom in October.

With interesting training in seamanship and weaponry, together with many activities associated with voluntary Naval training, a unique opportunity for young men existed today, Commander Sanderson said. “I have seen Naval training bring out the best in a man. After periods of instruction at headquarters and at sea he usually surprises himself, his parents and his employer when qualities of leadership, endurance, tolerance and teamwork combine to produce a more useful citizen, skilled to serve his country in an emergency."

The venue of the annual exercise for 1967-68 will be decided in July this year.