H.M.S. DIOMEDE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 99, 21 January 1926, Page 6

H.M.S. DIOMEDE

ARRIVAL ’AT AUCKLAND TO-DAY

“Dominion” Special. Auckland, January 20. 11.M.5. Diomede, the second cruiser of the D class to be commissioned for the New Zealand station, will arrive at Auckland from England at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. The Diomede, which recently completed an extensive overhaul, after some months of duty in China waters, has a displacement of-about 4750 tons, being very similar in design to H.M.S. Dunedin, which came out to the Dominion with the Special Service Squadron in May, 1924. She is 455 ft. in length, and is fitted with 40,000 horsepower oil-burning engines, which give her a speed of approximately 29 knots. Like the Dunedin, the Diomede Las six six-inch guns and twelve torpedo tubes. Her secondary armament, however, is slightly heavier than that of the older vessel. The Diomede, which is known as a protected light cruiser, was built at a cost of between 12800,000 and £900,000, and carries a crew of 460 all told. The Diomede came off the stocks in 1922, and after carrying out successful trials, became attached to the sth Cruiser Squadron, in the China Sea. While tints engaged she proved herself an excellent sea boat. She was recalled about six months ago, and refitted at Portsmouth. It is interesting to note that the Dominion’s new cruiser is under the command of a New Zealander, Captain T. S. Al. Ritchie, of Christchurch. Captain Ritchie was educated at Wanganui College, and entered the navy in 1899. Since that date be lias served on the Australian, China, and Mediterranean stations, and also with the Atlantic Fleet. lie was appointed to the rank of captain in 1923.