H.M.S. SWIFTSURE

Grey River Argus, 31 January 1946, Page 7

H.M.S. SWIFTSURE

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND.

P.A. AUCKLAND, January 30. Flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J. H. Edelsten, H.M.S. “Swiftsure”, a cruiser of the British Pacific. Fleet, arrived at Auckland from Sydney this morning. There was no flag waving nor display of any kind. The “Swiftsure” is a modernised version of the “Gambia”. Commissioned in June, 1944 she is the last word in cruiser construction, with a mean tonnage of 8000. Unlike the “Gambia”, she has no after turret, this having been dispensed with in order to improve the ship’s close-range anti-aircraft fire. She carries nine six-inch guns and ten four-if'.ch guns, as well as twelve Bofors anti-aircraft guns, three fourbarrel pom-poms, and two sets of quadruple torpedo tubes. Her speed is 311 knots. Her present complement, including the Admiral’s staff, comprises 54 officers and 840 men.