H.M.A.S. CANBERRA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20139, 8 January 1940, Page 11

H.M.A.S. CANBERRA

AUSTRALIAN FLAG SHIP 10,000-TQN CRUISER OFFICERS’ CAREERS IT.M.A.S. Canberra, which, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J. G. Grace, is visiting Wellington, is no stranger to the city, which she has visited several tunes with her sister-ship, H.M.A.S. Australia. Her last visit to Wellington was in April, 1937, when she carne in company with the Australia and Sydney, the "escort ship Swan and three destroyers, after carrying out exercises in the Tasman Sea with H.M. ships Achilles. Wellington and Leith. On that occasion the Achilles went to the assistance of the coastal ship Holmglen, whose engines were broken down. In response to a signal from the Achilles, the Australian squadron sent the destroyer Waterhen to stand by the Holmglen and escort her to an anchorage in Queen Charlotte Sound. The Canberra and Australia were built in 1927-28 by John Brown and Company, of Clydebank. After her trials the Canberra in October, 1928. served with the Atlantic Fleet for some months before proceeding to Australia Eight-inch Guns The Canberra, which has a standard displacement ol' 9850 tons, measures 630 ft in length by 68ft 4in in breadth. She is propelled by geared-turbine engines of 80,000 horse-power, giving her a speed of 32 knots. She is armed with eight Sin guns, four 4in antiaircraft guns, and a number of smaller weapons, and mounts eight tor-pedo-tubes. The Canberra also carries one aircraft.

Including the Canberra and Australia, 13 of the 10,000-ton Sin gun cruisers were built for the British naval forces. Their immediate successors were the sister cruisers York and Exeter, which on a displacement of 8390 tons, mount six Bin guns anci four 4-in anti-aircraft guns. These ships were followed by the 6-in gun cruisers' of the Lcander class, which includes the Achilles and Ajax. The Canberra, which is largely manned by Australian officers and ratings, carries several much-prized treasures, including a silver plate from Lord Nelson's dinner service. This carries the inscription,: —“Presented by the Navy League in appreciation of the great services rendered by H.M.A.S. Sydney during the World War, 1914-182' Above it appear’s Nelson’s famous signal, “England expects every man will do his duty.” Near it is another silver plate presented to the ship by the city of Canberra, and around the walls are several other objects of Australian interest. Rear-Admiral Crace’s Career Rear-Admiral John Gregory Grace, A.D.C., who flies his flag in H.M.A.S. Canberra, as commander of_H.M. Australian Squadron, was third on the list of captains, and received his promotion to flag rank shortly after the war started. He was then appointed to his present post in succession to Rear-Admiral W. N. Constance, C. 8., who was in ill-health, and who died recently on his way to England Rear-Admiral Craee was first associated with the Australian Navy during the Great War, for most of which he served as torpedo officer in the battle-cruiser Australia. Subsequently he served in tiie mines department of H.M.S. Vernon. In 1918 h became the first torpedo officer of H.M.S. Hood, from which ship lie was promoted commander in 1920. He was executive officer of H.M.S. Danae, which was one of the light cruisers of the Special Service Squadron during the world cruise of 1923-24.

After service at the Anti-Submarine School he served as fleet torpedo officer in H.M. Ships Warspite and Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean, being promoted captain in June, 1923. Then followed a year as Captain (D) in the Atlantic destroyer division, his ship being H.M.S. Valhalla.

In April, 1930, he was appointed to H.M.S. Osprey as captain in command of the Anti-Submarine School at Portland. His next appointment came in May, 1932, as Director of Tactical Division at the Admiralty. In June, 1934, he took command of H.M.S. Emerald on the East Indies Station, the first cruiser in which he had served for 10 years. In April. 1937, he was appointed naval assistant to the Second Sea Lord at the Admiralty, this being his last post prior to liis promotion to RearAdmiral. Flag-Captain Patterson Captain W. R. Patterson, C.V.0,, of H.M.A.S. Canberra, who is. flagcaptain and chief staff officer, is now 45 and has been 32 years in the Royal Navy. As a sub-lieutenant during the Great War he served in torpedo-boat No. 32 and the torpedo-gunboat Jason, and as a lieutenant in the cruiser Lowestoft and the destroyer flotillaleader Saumarez up to February, 1918, when he was selected to specialise in gunnery.

His ships as gunnery officer included the battleship King George V ir the Mediterranean, the cruiser Dauntless, in which he made the world cruise with the Special Service Squadron in 1923-24, and the battlecruiser Hood.

As a commander from 1928 to 1933 he was squadron gunnery officer on the First Battle Squadron, and executive officer of H.M.S. Kent, flagship on the China station. Promoted captain in June, 1933, he afterward commanded H.M.S. Folkestone on the China Station and the cruisers Effingham and Hawkins, flagships of the Reserve Fleet. He was appointed to his present post on April 1, 1938.