SLOOP'S DEPARTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22032, 12 February 1935, Page 11

SLOOP'S DEPARTURE

FAREWELL TO LABURNUM

SAILS SET IN HARBOUR VOYAGE TO SINGAPORE Probably the last warship that will ever leave Auckland with sails set, the Imperial sloop H.M.S. Laburnum, commanded by Commander A. H. MaxwellHyslop, left yesterday morning at the end of her final commission on the New Zealand station. The sloop was to have been broken up like her sister-ship H.M.S. Veronica and other vessels of the "Flower" class, but she has been given a further lease of life, and will proceed to Singapore, where she will become a drill ship for the Straits Settlement Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

The little sloop, which is thought to be the only independent command in the Royal Navy which still uses coal fuel, with sail as an auxiliary, had a perfect day for her departure. The harbour was absolutely calm, and the whole city seemed to be drowsing in a midcLay haze. In the bright sunshine the Laburnum looked spick and span at her berth at the naval base prior to her departure. Her decks, paintwork and brass gleamed as if she were a smart new ship and not an old vessel with 20 years' service behind her. Farewell Calls Made Mingled with the usual naval discipline there was a pleasing informality on this occasion. Officers from H.M.S. Dunedin and H.M.S. Philomel and a number of citizens and representatives of public bodies were paying farewell calls, while on the jetty, friends and sweethearts had collected to say goodbve, or in some cases, au revoir. The crowd was somewhat smaller than usual, as the present commission has only lasted about 10 months, but there have been three marriages in that time, and many lasting friendships have been formed. The feelings of the officers and men oil the vessel were expressed by Commander Maxwell-Hyslop, who said: "As far as I am concerned, I have enjoyed my stay in New Zealand immensely, and I am very sorry to be leaving so early. I have made a number of friends in New Zealand whom I wish I could see again before leaving, and the same is true of all the officers and men. Everyone has been extremely kind to us wherever we have gone. We will all carry away the happiest memories of the time we have spent in the Dominion, and I am quite- sure that most of us would be giad to return." Departure Prompt to Time

Piercing blasts on the ship's siren, a boatswain's pipe sounding, and the men mounted the gangways and paraded along the decks. Promptly at 11.30 the lines were cast off and the vessel drew away from the jetty. Farewell messages were shouted between the Laburnum and the Philomel at the other side of the jetty, but the little group on the wharf was very subdued, and not a few were weeping. A gramophone on board played a farewell tune as the sloop backed out into the stream.

The Laburnum turned up harbour toward the wharves and as she got under way three spirited cheers came from the entire ship's company. An equally rousing reply, with an extra cheer for luck, came from the Philomel, and those on the jetty took heart and joined in. A similar salutation passed between the sloop and the JDunedin, and the signal "Good-bye" was hoisted on the Laburnum. The Dunedin and Philomel replied with "Good-bye and good luck," as the vessel turned about. Sloop's Sails Hoisted

Then for the first time for many years, although there was practically no wind, the sloop hoisted her sails, fore-staysail, main-staysail and mizzen, and steamed slowly down the harbour, presenting a sight- that will probably never be seen in Auckland again. Although little more than wisps of canvas, her sails are nevertheless in frequent use at sea. War-time rush job or not, the little vessel, with sails set, her 253 ft. paying off pendant streaming behind her and her farewell signal flying, made a brave picture as she rounded I\orth Head. The sails were lowered again after she was some distance down Eangitoto Channel, as they had only been hoisted to give .Aucklanders a glimpse of this unusual sight, but until she was lost in the haze of the gulf, the gleam of her white pendant could be seen waving a last farewell.

The Laburnum will call at Brisbane, Cairns and Port Darwin on her journey to Singapore, but her other ports of call have not been announced. She is due at Singapore on March 30, and about a third of her complement, who have volunteered for service on the China station, will proceed thence to their ships. The remainder will return to England by steamer. The Laburnum will be replaced on the New Zealand station by the new convov sloop H.M.S. Wellington, which is expected to arrive from England about May.