WARSHIP RETURNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22796, 2 August 1937, Page 10

WARSHIP RETURNS

WELLINGTON'S CKUISE

MEMBER OF CREW ILL

CHANGE IN NAME OF CLASS

RECOMMISSIONING SHORTLY

Increasing her speed in order to have a member of the crew taken to hospital a,s soon as possible, the Imperial escort vessel Wellington returned to Auckland on Saturday from her annual winter cruise to the South Pacific Islands. She was originally duo to arrive on Tuesday from Rarotonga, but Commander G. N. Loriston-Clarke decided to make a quick passage to land a petty officer who developed an affection of an eye while the ship was in the Cook Islands. He was taken to hospital soon after tho Wellington arrived in port. The return of the Wellington calls attention to a recent change by the Admiralty in the nomenclature of all those vessels formerly classed as sloops. Apparently to simplify Naval classification, such ships as the Wellington and the Leith, which have hitherto been known as Imperial patrol sloops, are now to be styled escort vessels. Visit to Canton Island

In addition to making the usual round of visits in the Islands, the Wellington al.so took the party of New Zealand scientists who recently observed tho eclipse of the sun to, Canton Island in the Phoenix Group. Shore parties were landed to assist the scientific party with its work and concerts were also held ,to help pass the time waiting for . the eclipse. Some notice boards calling attention to Great Britain's possession of this island were nailed to the boles of coconut trees, but no steps were taken during the cruise to lay claim to any other islands. After disembarking the scientists at Apia, the Wellington continued her cruise, making calls at Fakaofa, Atafu, Nukunono, Pago Pago, Suvarov, Moorea, Papeete, Aitutaki and Rarotonga. The whole cruise was particularly uneventful and the weather generally was good. The case of illness which caused the ship's hurried return to port wag the only one experienced. Docking for Refit The Wellington will go into Calliope Dock to-day for a refit and on August 19 will leave for Wellington to be recommissioned by Commander LoristonClarke, the terms of service on the New Zealand station of his officers having almost expired. The ship will be paid off at Wellington and her present officers, with the exception of Commander Loriston-Clarke, will be replaced by others due to arrive by the Rangitane from England on August 25. Two other ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy have yet to return from their cruises to the Islands. Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Druinmond's flagship, H.M.S. Achilles, will return to Auckland on August 27 in company with the new cruiser for the station, H.M.S. Leander, and on September 18 the escort ship Leith is due. The three ships will have between them paid visits to most of the British. American and French possessions in the Pacific, and will have made one of the most comprehensive patrols of Imperial outposts ever undertaken.