NEW MINE-SWEEPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24421, 5 October 1940, Page 19

NEW MINE-SWEEPERS

SPECIALLY BUILT FOR WORK DOMINION OFFICERS IN COMMAND In a letter received in Auckland Sublieutenant J. T. Hilliard, N.Z.R.N.V.R., who recently left for England with a detachment of other officers, mentions the fact that several of the parly have already received commands and are enthusiastic about their new appointments. " I am sure you will be pleased to hear of the New Zealand officers' good fortune in getting commands immediately," he writes. "Taylor, Newman. Connolly. Smyth. Bridson. Harding. Phipps. Palmer. Tiswell and myself all have commands. "They are beautiful little ships, 700 tons, and brand new. The accommodation is first class. The bridge is totally enclosed and has three decks, the last deck containing two cabins. Mine is approximately 10ft by 9ft. with a builtin bunk, built-in wardrobes, hot and cold water, writing desk, bathroom, and in fact everything has been studied for comfort as much as possible. The other cabin is somewhat similar, only smaller " Down below, aft. there is a bathroom and. going down, a hatch opens out on to a flat, one side of which contains two cabins, very well equipoed. On the other side there is a wardroom about 15ft by 10ft. containing table and chairs, coal stove and a pneumatic-cushioned settee. "As I have said before, they are brand new ships, and suited only for mine-sweeping. What will happen to Ihem after the war I do not know, as there is no space at all for fish. Their sweeping gear is aft, and very easy to operate. "We are naturally delighted to get such ships. They are single-screw. with a rather hi<*h forecastle, which makes them a bit difficult to manoeuvre, but after getting the hang of it we shall be quite all right. "Everybody has been very decent to us over here, and the weather so far has been .iollv good. We have had no long leave since we have been here, but have managed to get two or three week-ends to see London."