VISIT OF CRUISER

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 27, 26 October 1945, Page 6

VISIT OF CRUISER

Wellington In Itinerary

A second visit to New Zealand by a cruiser of the British Pacific Meet, JI.M.S. Newfoundland, was announced by the Minister of Defence, Air. Jones. The ship, which is to spend about a fortnight in calls at South Island ports and Wellington, was in Auckland from May 24 * to June 4of this year, during which period she underwent a refit in Devonport dockyard. According to the programme approved by the Commander-in-Cbief, British t’a•itic Fleet, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, H.M.S. Newfoundland wiil arrive at Bluff on October 30. After visiting other South Island ports the ship will sail for Wellington, where she is due at 9 a.m. on November 9. Newfoundland will depart from Wellington on November 10 or 11.

JLAI.S. Newfoundland, a cruiser of SOOO tons displacement, was built by Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson. Ltd., at Wallsend-on-Tyne. Laid down in November, 1939, and launched in December, 1941. the ship was completed January, 1943. A s a unit of the Fourth Cruiser Squadron, Newfoundland served in company with H.ALN.Z.S. Gambia, first with the British Eastern Fleet ami subsequently with the British Pacific Fleet. In most respects HALS. Newfoundland is similar to H.ALN.Z.S. Gatnbia, but whereas the latter ship's main armament comprises twelve Gin. guns .m triple turrets, the former has nine Ginguns in triple turrets. Both ships mount din. guns, but the Newfoundland has a greater number of' Oerlikons and ponipoms for anti-aircraft purposes, qt