ITALIAN WARSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 17923, 20 March 1922, Page 6

ITALIAN WARSHIP

TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND. A cablegram from Melbourne states that the Italian light cruiser Libia, left the Victorian port on Saturday for New Zealand. No advice Iras yet been received as 'to the vessel's exact destination, but ehe will most likely visit Wellington u,r Auckland.

The Libia (arrived at Sydney early in February. She left Naples in March, 1921, on a world cruise, visiting friendly Powers. She proceeded: via South America. West indies, and Cuba to United States of America, thence through the Panama Canal to Peru. Proceeding to Equador, tho Libia voyaged along tlie Mexican, and Oali'fomian coasts to San Francisco. From the latter port tho cruder turned her bows towards Sydney, coming by way of Honolulu and Suva, The vessel occupied Moit's dock at Sydney for nearly two weeks after her arrival, undergoing overhaul and repairs. Later she visited' Brisbane and Melbourne. The sight of an Italian warship in Sydney Harbor is an uncommon one, it being over twelve years since tho last, commanded by tho Duke d'Abruzzi, Was ithere. The Libia was launched at Genoa in 1912, and has a displacement of 3,690 tone. She is capable of maintaining a epeed of twenty-two knots. Tlie vessel carries a complement of twenty officers unci 382 men. 'The fieamen tiro mostly young men, and one is immediaitely impressed wifth their fine bearing and discipline. The commander of the cruiser. Commandant e Ernesto Burzagli, 03!., lis a typical naval officer. Tall, clean-shaven, olivocomplexioned, and with kindly eyes, one is impressed with his appearance. Ilia war service was cot only considerable, but distinguished. Jn addition to numerous decorations from his own country, he also received l the 08. ircim the British Government in recognition of sendees rendered in the cause of the Allies. It is interesting to note fclwvt the electric oompa&s of the Libia was taken from ia German submarine captured in the Adriatic Sea by the Italians. After its alien birth and exciting history it is quietly moving to the moods of Australasian waters.

The Libia was originally built for Turkey at the Italian docks. That .was in 1911. But ehc was never delivered to the nation that ordered her building.