THE DUKE’S CRUISER

Evening Star, Issue 21903, 14 December 1934, Page 11

THE DUKE’S CRUISER

BATTLE PRACTICE WITH NEW ZEALAND WARSHIPS ’ —— 1 AN INTERESTING EXERCISE [Per United Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND, December 13. The newspaper correspondents aboard the Diomede send the following radio message: When the cruiser Australia approaches the New Zealand coast_ tomorrow with the Royal visitor, Prince Henry; an opportunity will be taken to carry out exercises against two of the escorting cruisers before meeting them. This will be I the first naval encounter of its type in which. His Royal Highness has become personally associated since the beginning of his present tour. The plan consists of a search and night encounter between the Australia, as the raiding vessel, and the Dunedin and Diomede as coastal defenders. The battle' commences at dawn to-morrow, at a pqint seventy-seven miles south--west of Cape Maria Van Dieman, and may last twenty-four hours if the searching vessels are unsuccessful. The Dunedin and Diomedeare now cruising : along the East Coast in a northerly direction at a quiet pace, and after rounding. North Cape, tonight will be in position at dawn. ; Although earned through strictly according to the normal procedure of battle at sea, the engagement will bo terminated' without the firing of a single shot, the launching of a torpedo, or the infliction of casualties, ft will thus serve the double purpose of providing war-time exercise for the three warships,' and keeping within the bounds of economy for the sake of the taxpayer. Instead of torpedoes, Verey Lights are to be used at the moment of firing, and gunfire will be represented by searchlight and staishell.

The story woven round the exercise concerns an action by an enemy raider in sinking an imaginary “ s.s. Blowhard,” 250 miles off the coast of New Zealand. A distress signal is received by the Dunedin and Diomede at 4 a.m. It is suspected that the enemy will make a. raid later in Cook .Strait, and the commanding officer decides to make, an immediate search during daylight. In the event of the Australia being located before dark, it is probable that she will bo shadowed and then attacked at night.

The umpire of the short engagement is Rear-admiral Burges Watson. The Australia, Dunedin, and Diomede will be joined by the Leith and Laburnum at dawn on Saturday, near Wellington.