FRENCH CRUISER TO VISIT DOMINION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 10

FRENCH CRUISER TO VISIT DOMINION

Jeanne d’Arc At Wellington Next February

CARRIES 120 MIDSHIPMEN IN TRAINING

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, December 16.

A French cruiser, unique among naval vessels, the Jeanne d’Arc, will visit New Zealand in February and March in the course of a world qruise, begun from Brest on October 4, according to advice received by the Consul for France, M. Edmond Meyer. The cruiser will call at Wellington from February"2o to 25, and will visit Auckland from February 28 to March 5, before continuing to Pago Pago. 120 Midshipmen.

Built and armed at Saint Nazaire in 1931, the Jeanne d’Are, which has a standard displacement of 6496 tons, is unusual in that, in addition to carrying 27 officers and 550 petty-officers and ratings, she has special accommodation for 120 midshipmen of various branches of the. navy, who, after two years’ study at a naval college, receive on board the cruiser practical training for their first qualification as officers. The midshipmen have, in addition to their own rooms and studies, a large lecture hall, .and a special library and other facilities are available. On her present cruise the Jeanne d’Arc is carrying 119 midshipmen, of whom seven are foreigners following special courses. There are three Iranians, three Poles, an'd a Rumaniain. Cruiser’s Itinerary. After crossing the Mediterranean, the cruiser called at various ports, and will spend Christmas and New Year at Saigon. After the holidays she will call at Sourabaya, Bali, and Australian ports before her New Zealand visits. She is scheduled to return to Brest on July 2. The commanding officer of the Jeanne d’Arc, Capitaine-de-Vaisseau Paul Auphan, is the youngest officer holding this rank in the French Navy. He has ha'd a distinguished career, including much service in the Great War, and is the holder of the Croix de Guerre. His experience includes a period as second officer of a submarine. Capitaine-de-Vaisseau Auphan is an officer of the Legion of Honour. Carries Two Seaplanes.

The cruiser carries eight six-inch guns, as well as other armament, and two seaplanes. She is powered by geared turbines, delivering 32,500 horse-power and has a speed of 25 knots. In full-power trials she did 27.84 knots. The mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, has notified M. Meyer that Auckland’s hospitality will be extended to the visitors, and that arrangements are being made for the Navy League to co-operate.