H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 7

H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

RETURN OF THE FLAGSHIP.

AUCKLAND, Aug-ust 3. Accompanied by all the accustomed naval ceremonial H.M.S. Dunedin, flagship of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, berthed at Devonport after a fine-weather voyage of 55 days from Chatham. The cruiser has been absent from Auckland since January 25, and in the meantime has undergone extensive overhaul and refitting as well as having much of her armament brought up to date. Painted a shining silver-grey in accordance with the practice for all ships detailed for service abroad the warship presented an exceptionally neat appearance as she entered the harbour. As the flagship drew level with the dockyard the cadets on H.M.S. Philomel, who had manned ship, came to the salute. Largo numbers of relatives and friends had gathered on the wharf, and the many Aucklanders on the cruiser were soon greeted with excited waving. The alterations made while the Dunedin was in dock at Chatham are not noticeable to the inexperienced eye. Many things have been brought up to date, and one change of importance lias been made in the armaments. Previously the cruiser had two Sin anti-aircraft guns. These have been replaced by three 4in guns of greater effectiveness and longer range. There is one on each of the upper decks as before, and the third has been placed in a central position aft of the tipper deck. Seven new officers and over 140* ratings—• about one-third of the crew—joined the ship in England. About 20 New Zealand ratings were left behind for instruction courses, and six, who had completed their courses, were brought back. Anzac Day fell while the ship was at Chatham, and a detachment of 60 New Zealand members of the crew journeyed to London in charge of Lieutenant O. J. Ferard, who is also a New Zealander. The men marched to the Cenotaph in Whitehall, where a wreath was placed at the base of the column by Captain Ritchie. The officers who joined the Dunedin in England are as follows: —Commander H. L. Morgan, D. 5.0., Captain E. Bowring (Royal Marines), Lieutenant-commander E. 11. Longsdon, Lieutenant C. S. Britton, Paymaster-lieutenant D. G. Hewson, Mr T. Cavan (commissioned gunner), Mr A. A. Hodges (school master). Paymasterlieutenant E. F. B. George will ioitr H.M.S. Diomede.

Shortly after the Dunedin had berthed the New Zealand ratings were given 14 days’ leave. They will "return o n August 18, and on August 21 the cruiser "will leave for a fortnight’s gunnery practice in Hauraki Gulf. Various training operations were carried out on the voyage front. England.