H.M.S. VERONICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18468, 1 February 1922, Page 6

H.M.S. VERONICA

A [{RIVAL AT DUNEDIN. OFFICIALLY WELCOMED. Tlie war sloop Veronica, one of the vessels belonging to the New Zealand naval station, arrived off the Heads at 8.30 a-m. yesterday, and by 10.45 she was berthed at the Kitchener Street Wharf, where she was an object o£ interest to a great many spectators during the day. At the Heads, at Port Chalmers, and at the Harbour Board’s office the flags Z.H.8., signifying “Welcome,” were flown, and in each instance the signal was acknowledged by the ship as she made her way to the wharf. t Commander F. 11. L. Lewin brought the Veronica up the Victoria. Channel without the assistance of a pilot, and berthed her at her present moorings ia quick time. He later told the official party which . visited the ship that he had been greatly struck with the beauty of the Otago Harbour, and that the marking of the channel by buoys was the clearest he had ever come across. The Veronica arrived on this station in October, 1920, and this is her first visit to Otago. Slho is of 1210 tons, her length is 260 ft, and she draws 14ft. She is one of nine ships belonging to the Azalea typS or Flower class of fleet sweeping vessels (sloops) completed in 1915. The Laburnum, which is at present on the station, is a sister 'ship, as is the Zinnia, the first warship purchased from the Admiralty for the new Belgian navy. The sister ships, Geranium Mallow, and Marguerite, which visited Wellington in 1919, are now units of the Australian navy. The French Aldebaran, whTch was here in October last, although flying the tricolour, was first a British ehip, and is exactly of the same typo as the Veronica. The armament of the Veronica- comprises' two 4.2 semi-auto-matic quiokfirers, two 21b anti-aircraft guns, and six saluting guns. Under normal conditions she can make 15 knots. She is being used mainly for policing the islands, and her complement is 107 men. During the war she had her __stera blown partially off by a torpedo while she was cruising in the Mediterranean about the end of 1915, and this damage was repaired at Genoa. Her officers are as follows’:—Commander F. H. L. Lewin, Lieutenant T. F. H. Marriott, Lieutenant it. K. Dickson, Sub-lieu-tenant S. J. Micklethwait, Surgeon Lieu-tenant-commander T. J, O’Riordan; Mr I. Griffiths (gunner), Mr It. Brightman (warrant engineer). Commander Lewin commissioned the Veronica at Pembroke in March of last year, and in March of this year her present crew is to be replaced by another which is now on its way out from England. Commander B. Buxton is the name of the commander who will then be in charge of the vessel. When the Veronica came to these southern seae she first carried out a lengthy cruise at the islands, and then came on to Auckland. From Auckland she went to Picton, Nelson, Westport, Milford Sound, and Dusky Sound, and from_ Dusky sound she came on to Dunedin. Five days were spent in Milford, and during that time Commander Lewin and three of his officers essayed “the finest walk in the world.” The commander went over the M’Kinnon Pass and as far as the Pompolona hut, and the others of the party walked to Glade House, on Lake T© A nan The trip from Milford to Glade House and back was done in three days. As soon as the ehip was berthed Mr T. Scollay (chairman), Mr H. C. Campbell, and Mr W. J. Bardsley (secretary),, representing the Otago Harbour Board, went on board for the purpose of extending an official welcome to the commander and his officers and men. Commander Lewin received his visitors courteously, and thanked them for the offers of any assistance which could be lent by ■ the board’s staff during the stay <jf his vessel in Dunedin. A few minutes later the Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) appeared on board, accompanied bv Crs Tapley, Lar■nach, and Hayward, and also by Mr A. E. Ussherwood, representing the Overseas dub. The Mayor tendered a civic welcome, to which Commander Lewin suitably replied. The commander will formally return the Mayor’s visit by calling on Ihim at the Town Hall this morning. The Veronica will remain in Dunedin for about a week, and during her stay she will no doubt be visited by Large numbers of young people as well as adults. Yesterday the officers had lunch at Fernlull Club, and in the afternoon thoy enjoyed a game of golf at Balmacewen. In the .evening they were present at the opening social of tne Officers’ Club in the new club rooms in Moray place, where they were warmly welcomed. On Thursday thev will he taken for a motor drive as the guests °f the Otago Motor Chib. For the duration of their stay they have been, made honorary' members of the Dunedin and Otago Clubs, The warrant officers have been made honorary members of the Commercial Travellers’ Clnb, and the use of the facilities of the Returned Soldiers’ Club has been freely extended to the men.