THE VESSEL AT MELBOURNE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13045, 10 April 1913, Page 3

THE VESSEL AT MELBOURNE.

ATTRACTS MANY VISITORS. SYDNEY, April 2. H.MJ.S. NeAV Zealand, the greatest fighting vessel that has, ever come to Australasian waters, entered Port Phillip Heads on Monday, and dropped anchor off WilliamstoAvn, a feAV miies out of Melbourne. Twelve miles doAvn the bay the NeAV Zealand Avas met by and received a hearty Avelcome from the destroyers JParramatta, Yarra, and Warrego. A line of fluttering flags swung up to the masts of, the torpedo craft. The New Zealand flew her acknowledgments, and the three mosquito craft dropped astern and took up a position m her wake. The NeAv Zealand dropped her anchors about 9 a.m., and having by signal thanked the destroyera fcr their escort, her crew were set to work without ceremony to clear her decks for coaling. Soon the new arrival Avas surrounded by motor-boats thronged Avith eager sightseers intent upon gaining her decks for purposes of inspection, but they Avere not permitted to board her until about noon, when a few who had waited Avere conducted round the ship. The New Zealand has great speed. Travelling a long way Avithin her capacity from Durban, she created a neAv record from that port to .Melbourne, coA-ering the distance ml 6 days. To the average ; ocean liner, 21 days for the journey is j a fair performance, and such vessels travel by a shorter route than the New j Zealand, traversed. Twenty-six knots per hour is her trial speed, but her officers believe she can do more. The New Zealand is an exact replica of the j Australia, the first Dreadnought of the j Australian Navy, which is expected here m June. They are sister ships, but the | Australia is said' to have the advantage m speed of the New Zealand, having on her trials covered 28 knots per hour. The Now Zealand impresses with her ( solidity, strength, and fighting power (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph). Immense g_ns project from the\ turrets on fyer decks, and from superstructures smaller guns protrude. - Her tAvo masts are of the tripod pattern, and her three funnels are placed Avidely apart, the forward one being much higher than those amidships and aft. This gives the vessel a somewhat odd appearance when viewed m the distance. Though somewhat squat, the vessel is constructed on lines of beauty. The ship's pet is a thoroughbred NewZealand bulldog, named Pelorus .lack. In the cabin of Captain Halsey, com- •' mander of the vessel, is a large portrait j of the late Mr Richard Seddon.