THE SPECIAL SERVICE SQUADRON

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 180, 24 April 1924, Page 6

THE SPECIAL SERVICE SQUADRON

GREAT WARSHIPS DUE EARLY THIS MORNING

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WELCOME THE DAY’S PROGRAMME Up till yesterday morning the great warships Hood and Repulse, of the special service squadron, were timed to arrive in the harbour at 2.30 p.m., but during yesterday forenoon the Minister of Internal Affairs was apprised by a wireless message from ViceAdmiral Sir Frederick Field that the warships would enter the Heads at 9.30 a.m. and berth at 11 a.m., and asking that arrangements to that end should be made. This information was speedily communicated to the Harbour Beard and other interested authorities, with the result that all is prepared for the arrival of the great battle-cruisers. Although a public holiday has not been declared (owing to the proximity of the Easter break and Anzac Day), it is pretty well assured that work will be suspended for an hour or so this morning in most places in order that the arrival of these great warships may be witnessed. It will be an interesting sight in any case, and if the weather is fine it should prove a magnificent spectacle to see the greatest battleship of all times plough the waters of Lambton Harbour. No State school or college holiday has been officially proclaimed, but it will be a surprising thing if the Clyde Quay and Oriental Bay iqreshores are not well-peopled this morning. The Mayor requests that all business mon and private people should decorate their premises with bunting as far as they are able in order to reflect the cordial welcome which goes out to the officers and men of the fleet from every true heart ashore. . The ceremonial in connection with tho visit of the warships will be opened by H.M.S. Chatham, which will, on the vessels coming in view of the Chatham, fire a salute of 15 guns in honour of the Vice-Admiral. H.M.S. Hood will reply with nine guns. On the Vice-Admiral landing to visit the Gov-ernor-General a salute of 15 guns will be fired from Mount Cook. IVhen the Governor-General returns the call H.M.S. Hood will fire a salute of 19 guns when he leaves the vessel. Later the G.O.C. (New Zealand Forces) will receive a salute of 13 guns. BERTHING THE BIG SHIPS SOME INTERESTING DETAILS All three vessels, the great Hood, the Repulse, and H.M.A.S. Adelaide, will be piloted to their berths. The harbourmaster (Captain Dawson), will take the Hood. Pilot Spence the Berxulse, and Pilot Peterson, the Adelaide. • C 4- • Interviewed, last evening, Captain Dawson stated that the pilots would board the vessels appointed them, when they arrived off Somes Island. The Hood would lead the way in with “dead slow ahead” as the order all along, so that the process of making the berths would necessarily be a slow one. The Hood would be berthed on tflie north-eastern ((outside) side Vf the new Pipitea Wharf, the Repulse on the south-western side of the same concrete structure, and the Adelaide at the Clyde Quay wharf.

A Long Ship and a Strong Ship. Of great length is H.M.S. Hood. From stem-port to stern-port is a distance of 861 feet, a greater length than most wharf berths, but the outside measurement of the Pipitea Wharf is conveniently 35 feet longer—a matter of 946 feet. People will be able to judge of the impressive bulk of the Hood, when it is stated that the next largest vessel, as far as tons displacement are concerned, was H.M.S. Renown, which displaced a mere 30,000 tons, while the monster Hood displaces 41,000 tons. That the Hood would be drawing about 31 feet on an even keel is the surmise of the harbourmaster. That was Jnot by any the deepest draught of any vgs~ Bel which has berthed alongside tho Wellington wharves. The big cargo steamer Armagh, holds that record with a draught of 31 feet 7 inches, whilst the Corinthic, fully loaded has drawn up to 33 feet 6 inches. Blisters! A little extra care will have to be taken in the berthing of the Hood and Repulse as both have underwater “blfstferti” —protuberances of armour plate which extend a distance of sft. 6 inches from the plumb of the side walls of the ship. These are protectors against the attacks of torpedoes. These “blisters” as they are called colloquially have to be taken into account when the vessels are being berthed. This necessitates both ships being berthed against huge fenders. A unit of 26 men from H.M.S.. Chatham will attend, to the wharf Tines during the berthing operations. OFFICIAL PROGRAMME The programme for to-day and tomorrow is as follows: — THURSDAY, APRIL 24. 9.30 a.m.—H.M.S.S. Hood and Repulse, accompanied by H.M.A.S. Adelaide, enter port. . 11 a.m. —Snips berth Pipitea Wharf. Commodore New Zealand Station (Commodore Alister Beal. C.M.G.) pays official visit to Vice-Admiral (Sir Frederick L. Lield, K.C.8., C.M.G., H.M.S. Hood. 11.30 a.m.—Admiral calls on His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Jellicoe), guaid of honour Scots College Cadets. 2 p.m. —His Excellency the GovernorGeneral returns call. Guard of honour from H.M.S. Hood. 2.30 p.m.—Admiral calls upon tiio Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C.) and Ministers of the Crown. 3 p.m.—Prime Minister returns call. 3.15 p.m—General Officer Commanding New Zealand Military Forces (Ma-jor-General C. AV. Melvill, C.8.,C.M.G., D. 5.0., A.D.C.), calls on Admiral. 3.30 p.m. —Chairman (Mr. G. Mitchell) and members of tho Wellington Harbour Board call on Admiral. 3.45 p.m.—His Worship the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) and councillors call on Admiral. 4.30 p.m—Admiral returns ,»I1 of Commodore. 4.45 p.m. —Admiral returns call of G.0.C., N.Z. Military Forces. 5 p.m. —Admiral returns call of

chairman and members of Harbour Board, FRIDAY, APRIL 25. 11 a.m. —Admiral, officers, and men, including ships’ bands, will attend service at the temporary Cenotaph. Twelve officers will visit leading schools and deliver Admiral’s message to children. 2.45 p.m. —Memorial service at Town Hall and Onera House for next of kin. 8 p.in.—Sacred concert in Town Hall. CEREMONIAL MARCH. 1 The route of the ceremonial march on Monday will be: Waterloo Quay, Bunny Street, Molesworth Street, to entrance to Parliament Buildings, thence along Parliament Building steps, where His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral will take the salute, the troops moving out via Bowen Street entrance, Lambton Quay. Willis Street, to Vivian and Cuba Streets, returning via Cuba Street, Customhouse Quay, and Waterloo Quay, to the ship. ORPHANS’ GALA NIGHT The Orphans’ Club will be the first in with a big gala night in honour of tlie vice-admiral and the officers of the fleet. Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, his flag-officers, and the officers of the Hood, Repulse, Chatham, Veronica and H.M-A.S. Adelaide have promised to attend at the Town Hall at 8 p.m. on Saturday, and there they will bo met by the Prime Minister (Bt. Hon. W. F. Massey) and other Ministers of the Crown in town, as well as by the Chief Orphan and members of the committee of the club. From 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Orphans will give an entertainment that is calculated to cheer and amuse, and after 9 p.m- King Jazz will take charge, assisted by one of the finest orchestras ever got together in Wellington. This till midnight. Supper will be continuous from 10 p.m. till midnight. SCHOOLS NOT TO BE CLOSED. In view of the fact that Easter holidays have just concluded i( has been considered inadvisable to close the schools to-day in connection with the arrival of the squadron, but it has been arranged, that children attending schools which are near the harbour front or near an elevation from which a. view of the harbour can be obtained, shall be afforded an opportunity of witnessing the arrival of the vessels of the squadron. Latest donations to the Fleet entertainment fund include £24 2s. from the Chinese of Wellington, and £5 ss. from Abbot, Oram and Co. On account of a prior engagement of the Town H-l for to-night. which the Entertainment Committee -was not aware of, the Citizens’ Ball to the petty officers and men will be held in the Town Hall at 8.30, instead of 8, as previously announced. The G.S.S. Tutanekai will leave the Ferry Wharf at 8.45 a.m. to-day to convey Ministers of the Crown and members of Parliament to the Heads on the arrival of the British naval squadron.' , Representatives of the Citizens •Committee, comprising the Mayor (Mr. R A. Wright. M.P.). Mr. J. P. Firth, C.M.G., Mr. B. Keesmg and Mr. N. A. Grant' will meet the officers of the squadron upon al rival to discuss details of arrangements which could not he finally dealt b ith, until arrival in port. The silver cup presented by Mr. James Frobisher for cutter race in the harbour is on view at the New Zealand Sports Service. Willis Street. Crews from H.M.S- Hood, Repulse, Adelaide, and Chatham will compete over a two-mile course It is probable that a cutter manned by the local 15th and 17th Batteries will also take part. LIGHT CRUISERS LEAVE BRISBANE (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) COPYRIOcT Brisbane, April 23. Tho British light cruisers have left for New Zealand, except the Dragon, which will remain to take part in the Anzac Day commemoration.—Preso Assn.