FRENCH MEN-OF-WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18277, 19 December 1922, Page 11

FRENCH MEN-OF-WAR.

CRUISE IN THE PACIFIC.

AT AUCKLAND IN JANUARY.

COMMERCIAL MISSION ABOARD.

The French Flying Squadron, comprising the armoured cruisers Victor Hugo and Jules Michelet, which left France on October 12 last on a nine-months' cruise, are expected to reach Auckland on January 22 next and will remain in this port until January 31, when the vessels will sail for Noumea.

The cruisers, which are under the command of Admiral Gilly, are being sent to pay an official visit to the friendly nations in the Pacific, as well as to the French possessions. The vessels have already called at Madagascar and La Reunion, and were due at Australian ports on December 15. The. stay in Australia will extend to January 12, after which the cruisers will

proceed to Wellington, where they are expected on January 16. Departure will be taken from Wellington on January 21 for Auckland. After the visit to Noumea the itinerary will include Japan, Shanghai, Hongkong, Indo-China, and India.

A special mission, composed of delegates of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Works, Colonies, Trade and Industries, is on board the cruisers. Members of the mission will deliver addresses to the Chambers of Commerce, commercial and industrial associations, on French economic questions and the present industrial and commercial conditions in France, and to study on the spot the organisation and management of the ports. Receptions will be given on board the cruisers, during which cinematograph pictures will be shown, fiving many views of France, which will enable visitors to realise the, extent of the devastation wrought in the French invaded provinces, and the efforts of tho*reconstruction work. A hearty welcome will be extended to those who wish to inspect the cruisers. It is many years since a French squadron visited the Dominion, and there is no doubt that such a visit will help to strengthen the ties of friendship which have existed between the British Dominions of the Pacific and France, especially during and since the war. Economic relations should aiso be greatly improved as a result of the mission.

The Victor Hugo was launched in 1904, and the Jules Michelet in 1905. Both have a displacement of 12,550 tons, and an over-all length of 486 ft.. with a beam of 70ift, The Victor Hugo draws 26ft, 6in., and the Jules Michelet, 27ft. The armament of the Victor Hugo consists of two tor-pedo-tubes. 18 guns and 16 small quickfiring guns. The Jules Michelet carnea two torpedo-tubes, 16 guns and 16 small quick-firing guns.. The maximum horsepower of the Victor Hugo is 27.500, which gives her a maximum speed of 22 knots, al thou eh she -made 23 knots on her trials. The Jules Michelet, with 30,500 horsepower, was designed to do 22 knots, but her best recent speed was over 23 knqts.