LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19000, 24 October 1923, Page 5

LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRON.

THE EMPIRE TOUR. The light cruiser squadron, which is to leave Plymouth on November 24, and which ia duo in New Zealand about May 12 of next year, consists of the following- ships: — Delhi, New Zealand (ex-Dnnedin), Danae, Dauntless, and Dragon, all vessels of the "0” class, and differing only in small details. Their tonnage is 4650 tons displacement, length 472 ft, beam 46ft, and they carry siic 6in guns, a!l on the centre line. Their designed speed is 29 knots, and they bum oil fuel only. It is not known whether all five vessels will take part in this cruise, as at least one may be carrying out experimental trials or refitting. The squadron is commanded by Rearadmiral the Hon. Sir Hubert G. Brand, K.C.M.G., K.0.V.0., C. 8., who flies his flag in 11.M.5. Delhi (Captain J. M. Pipon, M.V.0., 0.8. E.). The other ships are commanded as follows :—Danae, Captain G. K. Ohetwodo, C. 8., C.8.E.; Dauntless, Captain G. W. Round-Turner; Dragon, Captain B. W M. Fairbairn, 0.8. E.; New Zealand, Captain the Hon. A. R. M. Ramsay, D.S.O. H.M.S. Chatham is to turn over to H. Dunedin at Auckland on May 1925, when the latter will bo renamed New Zealand, and become the flagship of the commodore commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. Many of the New Zealand ratings will return to England in H.M..S, Chatham to undergo courses of instruction in the various naval establishments. The complement of H.M.S. New Zealand will probably ho slightly loss than that of H.M.S. Chatham. A cable message last week indicated that H.M.S, Hood and H.M.S. Repulse would accompany tbo squadron on its Empire cruise. Captain the Hon. A. R. M. Ramsay, who is in command of H.M.S. New Zealand, married H.R.H. Princess Patricia, second daughter of the Duke of Connaught (uncle of the Kingl, in 1919. Captain Ramsay is a son of the 13th Earl of Dalhousie.