NEW CRUISER’S VISIT

Southland Times, Issue 25514, 7 November 1944, Page 3

NEW CRUISER’S VISIT

GAMBIA WELCOMED AT WELLINGTON

(Special) WELLINGTON, November 6. The new 8000-ton cruiser Gambia, most powerful warship ever attached to the New Zealand Navy, has arrived at Wellington. She was given a resounding welcome by all the ships in the harbour and by a crowd of many thousands who took full advantage of the Navy’s decision to throw her open to public inspection over the weekend. In the first two hours after the Gambia’s arrival 10,000 men, women and children tried to go on board. More than 20,000 were allowed on board at the weekend. During the first press some women lost their shoes and at least one was not deterred by her misfortune and paid her visit without them. Small boys had a field day. Some reached the crow’s nest, and others were to be found in every part open to the public. For officers and crew the weekend may have been tiring, but it was also an amazing and refreshmg change from the war. OFFICIAL CALLS MADE The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, made a special visit to the ship yesterday morning. He was received by the commanding officer, Captain N. J. W. William-Powlett, D.S.C., and by a guard of honour and band from the Royal Marines detachment of the ship. Accompanied by Commodore Sir Atwell Lake, Chief of the New Zealand Naval Staff, Captain William-Powlett made official calls on the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, and the Mayor of Wellington, Mr W. Appleton, who later returned the visits and lunched on board. A striking feature of the cruiser is provided by the mounting of her 12 6in guns. They are in four three-gun t ur " rets, superimposed in pairs forward and aft. The ship also contains a host of other items of thoroughly modem equipment and impressed all who saw her as a most complete and effective unit. Several of her officers and the majority of her ship’s company are New Zealanders who have previously served in other ships. Many of them were in H.M.S. Achilles at the River Plate battle.

OPERATION AGAINST SABANG PART PLAYED BY GAMBIA (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 6. As a unit of the Eastern Fleet the Gambia in April, this year, took part in the operation against Sabang, at the northern end’-of Sumatra, giving close anti-aircraft support to the carrier force which bombed the port and town. Three weeks later the Gambia formed part of the carrier force which carried out a successful operation against Sourabaya, Java, the cruiser giving close anti-aircraft support throughout the bombing of this enemy-held port. On July 25 the Gambia took part in the second operation against Sabang. The port and enemy installations in the town were bombarded for 35 minutes with satisfactory results. A force of light craft under the command of Captain R. G. Onslow, D. 5.0., R.N., steamed into the harbour and took full advantage of the opportunity of close range action. The Gambia, in company with another cruiser of her class, carried out the duty of engaging the Japanese coastal batteries to neutralize them and prevent them from inflicting damage on the light force.