SERVICE AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23969, 20 May 1941, Page 8

SERVICE AT SEA

THE NAVAL RESERVE NEW ZEALAND OFFICERS CONVOYS AND MINE-SWEEPING (0.C.) LONDON. Mav 1 "I'.VY.R. (X.Z.)" —hundreds of \ew Zea'anders now have the right to those initials after their names, and as the months of the war tick slowly by tho Dominion has an ever-increasing reason to be proud of her men who are serving with this branch of the Navy. In the biggest battleships and the smallest motor-launches, New Zealand sailors are taking their place with seamen from all parts of the Empire. They are to he found in the King Ceorge V. and the Prince of Wales, the Empire's latest warships. In cruisers, in destroyers, in minesweepers and in corvettes. Appropriately, the first decorations ever to he awarded to the men of the ILX.V.H. (X.Z.) were won by those who were among the first draft to leave New Zealand for Great Britain: Commander R. Newman, of Christchureh (I).S.O.); Lieutenant-Commander P. G. Connolly, of Dnnodin (D.S.C.); Lieutenant-Commander P. Phipps, of Wellington (D.S.C.); and Telegraphist J. L. Leckie, of Otago (D.S.M.). Lieutenant A. G. Newall (Auckland) was mentioned in despatches. In Charge of Vessels A compliment was paid to the R..N.Y.1!. (X.Z.) when the first of its members arrived last year, for LI of its officers were placed in charge of 10 minesweepers. All of them had been enthusiastic peacetime members who had made a hobby and recreation of seamanship in the halcyon pre-war days. Two of the ships have sineo been lost by enemy action, and six of the I I officers have now been transferred to carry out equally important work. In addition to those who were awarded deeoraf ions, Lieiitonant-Com-matulers F. G. Tidswell (Christchureh), G. Bridsori and J. Milliard (Auckland) and Lieutenants C. G. Palmer and A. G. Newall (Auckland) are now commanding minesweepers, while those transferred are Commander F. G.(Taylor (Wellington), Lieutenant - Commander .T. A. Smyth (Wellington), and Lieutenants J. 11. Seelve and J. E. Finch (Dunedin) and R. E. Harding (Auckland). A Hard Winter It has been a hard winter for the minesweepers, and in addition to the weather there have been the hazards of bombing, shelling and E-boat attacks. But there has been a lighter side to the rigorous life, and jokes about the "trips'' are invariably more frequent, than tales of the dangers. There are amusing of competition between the various ships. One prides itself on its wardroom and the comfort of its cushions. This was immediately met by subtle improvement in the other wardrooms. Another has painted foam marks on its hows. A third has a tiki under the bridge. This tiki was at first the subject of much curiosity among the English crew, but they are now deeply attached to it. Every ship has a pet, either a cat or a dog. * Art innovation for a period was a goat. General Leadership The various ships have been "adopted'' by various people, who supply comforts for the crews, and this adoption has been greatly appreciated during the winter months. A girls' school has taken this direct interest in Lieutenant Palmer's ship, and in return he addressed the pupils with an account, of convoy work. Inter-ship competitions include football, darts and shove ha'penny matches, and as an added attraction LieutenantConlmander Tidswell has improvised a deck tennis court in his ship. Over the activities of his ships, official and unofficial, Commander Newman, nicknamed the "Cardinal," keeps a watchful and humorous lookout. The proof of his genial leadership, rigid at sea, lenient in port, is that every convoy led by his minesweepers has been safely and accurately guided, and that merchandise valued at millions of pounds has reached its destination.