CRUISER BELLONA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26274, 4 October 1946, Page 8

CRUISER BELLONA

VISITED BY MR JORDAN DEPARTING THIS MONTH (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 2. Standing on a dais under the twin five-inch guns on the quarter-deck, Mr W. J. Jordan wished the ship's company of H.M.S. Bellona Godspeed and good luck when he visited the warship in Chatham dockyards. With him was Mrs Jordan, who wished the company a happy Christmas in New Zealand. The Bellona is due to sail from Portland on October 24, and after sailing to Bermuda, Panama. San Diego, Pearl Harbour, Fanning Island, and Suva, will arrive at Auckland on December 15. She is expected to be attached to the New Zealand station for at least three years. The ship’s company is chiefly comprised of New Zealanders who served in the Achilles and the Gambia. Over half of the officers are Zealanders and 98 per cent, of other ranks. There are 570 men on board. Before arriving at the Bellona, Mr and Mrs Jordan, accompanied by Mr S. R. Skinner, naval affairs officer, had lunch with the commander-in-chief of the Nore, Admiral Sir Harold Burroughs. They were received on board by Captain M. B. Laing. C.8.F., D.S.C., and Commander R. F. Washbourn, D. 5.0., of Nelson, who is the Bellona’s executive officer. Notable Predecessors Addressing the ship’s company, Mr Jordan remarked that Bellona succeeded in the New Zealand service many well-known ships, including the Achilles, the Gambia the Leander, and the Neptune. “ We looked with pride U£On those ships and we considered with pride and gratitude the men who served in them,” he said. The Bellona was being attached to the New Zealand station because she was more modern and had greater fighting efficiency than her predecessors. It was to be hoped that her fighting efficiency would never be needed, and in his own judgment it would be some time yet before that efficiency would be required in action. Jocularly, Mr Jordan remarked he was glad the Bellona was being commissioned that day because it gave him a reason to leave the Paris Peace Conference. But he added that he believed that at Paris peoples of the world were beginning to understand the temperament and outlook of one another and although there had been straight talking the peoples were getting to know one another. Having shown their differences they meant to reconcile them. Mr Jordan, referring to Mr Skinner, said he would shortly visit New Zealand, and added, “No man has done a higher job for all ranks in the New Zealand Navy.” Dominion Characteristics The Bellona is lying alongside the Achilles and has already certain marked New Zealand characteristics.

In addition to flying the New Zealand ensign she has a large kiwi cut from stainless steel perched on the fore gun turret. New Zealand officers on board include Commander K. Buck (Wellington), Surgeon Lieut.-commander R. Walton (Auckland), Lieut.-commander H. Barnett (Auckland), Surgeon Lieutenant F. H. Stephenson (Rotorua), Lieutenants L. Hutton (Napier), D. H. Mackay (Nelson). B. R: Turner (Auckland), J. O. Ross (Auckland), F. C. Thorne (Wellington), M. J. McDowell (Oamaru), J. Myles (Picton), and G. W. V. Knight, I. I. Montgomery, and L. Stanners, all of Auckland.