H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21242, 24 January 1931, Page 8

H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

MISHAP ON LEAVING DOCK. MOVEMENTS OF THE TWO CRUISERS. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, January 23. When leaving the Calliope dock this morning, H.M.S. Dunedin, flagship of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, fouled the side of the entrance; gates, breaking one of her propeller blades. The damage is not serious, but it is possible that another blade will have to be fitted in order to prepare the warship for her coming cruise to England. The Dunedin went into dock on Wednesday morning to undergo an extensve refit. The accident occurredjust as the stern of the ship, the first part to pass out in the undocking opera-. tions, was passing through the entrance ' gates. The ship swung suddenly to; starboard, the propeller touching the side of the dock. The graze was of the'; slightest nature, and the tug quickly, pulled the warship into proper alignment. No jar was felt on the bridge, but it was felt by the men standing immediately above the propellers. The Dunedin was berthed at the slieerlegs’ wharf, and an examination of the.”; damaged propeller was carried out by a diver. This revealed that a chip of six inches had been torn from the arc of the propeller. It is questionable whether the Dunedin will return to dry dock for the insertion of a new propeller; blade or carry out her cruise with the; damaged blade. This will be decided by Commodore Geoffrey Blake, who will “ arrived in Auckland by the Limited express in the morning. If the former course is decided upon the ship will probably go back to dock on Monday and the repair work will occupy about? two days. It is possible that the blade will not be replaced, as it is not an uncommon experience for boats to travel long distances with a damaged propeller.. The effect would be to reduce the speed of the warship. There v ill be no delay to the Dunedin in leaving on her cruise; in company with H.M.S. Diomede. The* flagship will leave Auckland for Russell on February, 3 to carry out drills and exercises, preparatory .to sailing for Hobart ,to meet the Australian squadron. The two cruisers will spend about 14 days with the Australian squadron, and early in March the flag of the commodore will be transferred to • the Diomede. Afterwards the Dunedin will proceedto England via Sydney, and the Diomede will probably return to New Zealand.