Big American Cruiser Arrives at Auckland

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 6

Big American Cruiser Arrives at Auckland

Two Bands to Give Benefit Performances *" (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Not. 13. The U.S.S. Vincennes, flagship of Pear-Admiral Paul Hendren, commander of the South Pacific Area, arrived at Auckland this afternoon from Noumea. She berthed at 4 p.m., having arrived in the inner harbour at 2 p.m. She will remain at Auckland until Alonday, when she will leave for Wellington, being due there on Tuesday. Rear-Admiral Hendren followed his navy ’s peacetime practice and had the New Zealand Lnsign hoisted for the Vincennes’ entry into port. Almost his first action after his ship had been berthed was to express his pleasure at being able to make the visit and to extend an invitation to any member ol the public to visit the ship. Of 10,000 tons and classed as a light cruiser, the Vincennes is commanded by Captain William G. Lalor, U.H.N., his executive officer being Commander L. W. Bailey, U.S.N. There are rather more than 70 officers and about 1100 enlisted men on board. The main armament consists of 12 six-incli guns in four triple turrets and there are also 12 five-inch guns and a large number of 40 and 20mm. pieces, the former being the familiar Bofors and the latter the equally familiar Oerlikons. Four float planes are carried. The V incennes belongs to the largest cruiser class in the world, far more thau 50 having gone down the ways in the United States during the past fenyears. On board the Vincennes is the flag band of the commander of the South Pacific area, Rcar-A.dmiral Hendren. This band is composed of two units, each of 23 pieces, and has been brought to New Zealand by Rear-Admiral Hendren for the purpose of giving benefit performances in aid of various local institutions and organisations. The bands belong to the United States Navy School of Music, aud it is stated that they are equally capable of presenting concert and dance music. They have been in the South Pacific Area for IS months. AIRCRAFT-CARRIER COMING TO AUCKLAND (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 13. H.M. Aircraft-carrier Reaper is expected to leave Sydney to-morrow for Auckland. This was announced this evening by the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) who said that, in addition to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, the ship would be bringing back 70 officers and 550 other Service personnel. The Reaper is a sister shir> to the Empress, which was in Wellington recently. Three ships with small parties of returning New Zealand Service personnel and their families and fiancees, are due to arrive in New Zealand during the next few days. The Priam, due at Auckland from the United Kingdom on Friday, has 13 servicemen. 10 children and 20 wives on board. The Pcrmanente, due at Auckland next Monday from North America, has one officer, 37 wives, seven children and 10 fiancee.-, and the Port Phillip, due at Wellington next Tuesday from the United Kingdom, has one officer, one airman and four wives.