NEW DESTROYER.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1940, Page 5

NEW DESTROYER.

AN AUSTRALIAN PRODUCT,

L AUNOHFiD IN A STORM.

SYDNEY, Dec. 1.

The first Tribal class destroyer to bo laid down in any British Dominion, H.M.S. Arunta, was launched ./ a* Cockatoo Dock yesterday in a howling ‘ gale and driving rain. •• , The downpour so affected the fallow on the slips that the destroyer stuck; before she had, entirely entered “the water, and had to wait for the turn ofc the tide before she could be completely water-borne. Undaunted by the 4 weather, a crowd of spectators, huddled • under umbrellas," watched the launching. The tattoo of the rain on the awning protecting the launching platform made the words of the Rev. A. G. Rix audible only to those beside him. ~ . '

The crowd’s first intimation that the Arunta was on her way to the water came when Lady Gowrie crashed the traditional bottle of champagne against the .ship’s stem. Prior to the ceremony, the Governor, Lord Wakehurst, landed at Cockatoo to inspect a rain-drenched guard,- and; the weather > wa© even “thicker’’ whoa the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, stepped ashore a . few minutes later.

“We have taken part in a very important ceremony—the, launching of a warship built in Australian' dockyard, of Australian material, by Australian workmen, to be commanded and manned by Australian officers and crew,” said Lord Gowne in a speech after the launching. “This is’a symbol of the progress of shipbuilding and naval construction in Australia.

“Cruisers, sloops, destroyers and' a large number of small craft vitally important to naval warfare in these days have been built on these . stocks. Twenty-four of these small craft are being built for Australia, 20-for- the United Kingdom and some for India. I am informed that the workmanship of these vessels is of the highest order. “But the ships in themselves, however well constructed, are of little value unless they are manned by the right crew,” continued Lord Gowrie. “We have no fear on that score. Australian crews have proved their worth, in every action in which, the Australian; Navy has taken part. Our enemies have come to the conclusion. it is wise to give Australian ships and Australian crews a wide berth.”