Diomede Departs

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 248, 21 October 1935, Page 6

Diomede Departs

With Unexpected Suddenness

PARTINGS MERRY AND SAD

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night

With unexpected suddenness tho cruiser Diomede commanded by Captain Cosmo Graham left Auckland at 1.30 this afternoon for special service under the Admiralty. Although it was generally believed the warship would not leave until to-morrow no significance is attached to her earlier departure as orders had been received that she should sail as soon as she was ready. lho Diomede proceeded straight out of dock to sea.. She had been docked on liiday morning ior cleaning and painting and this work which was none by shore labour as the warship’s crew were busily engaged in storing. The ship was completed about 0 o’clock on Saturday evening and those men who had been granted Saturday night leave were warned that the warship might depart at a moment’s notice and this hint was strong enough for there to be a full muster this utornirr.

However, few of the men .vcrc prepared for such, an early departure and there was much frantic tetephoae-.ung-ing to wives and sweethearts when it was learned that the time for sailing was 1.30 p.m. The scene at the dock side t* as a mixed one of cheerfulness and sadness. By midday there was a crowd of.several hundred people. A few cheery remarks were passed betweou tho warship and the shore although ou the part of the women there was many a smile through tears. “It reminds me of a troopship sailing.” said one elderly spectator, when the last farewells were taken.

As orders were given for “all men on board” aud. the- lower neck was cleared the members of the ship’s company lined the deck and the ship's band struck up a lively march aud in a few minutes the shore lines had been cast off. Slowiy tho Diomede left tho dock, her band playing “Auld Lang By no. ’ ’ Handkerchiefs buttered and theic were responding waves from the warship and so the Diomede left for ' ‘ destination unknown. ’'

•Signals hashed from Ihe sloop Leith and from the training ship Philomel oj which the men stood at attention. The Leith s message said: “Goodbye ano good Juek. Hope to see you again,” aud the Philomel's “Goodbye and good luck.” The messages were acknowledged aud the Diomede steamed dowu iho harbour.