H.M.S. DIOMEDE GOES HOME

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1929, Page 10

H.M.S. DIOMEDE GOES HOME

LEAVETAKING AT AUCKLAND/ (By Wire—Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night.' About 3000 people lined the Central Wharf to-day to take farewell of H.M;&> . Diomede on her departure for England. The warship drew out ’.'from the wharf promptly at 11 o’clock, her pennant waving in the breeze, her band playing "The Girl I Left Behind Me” and "Auld Lang Syne.”, Fond embraces and tearful' farewells were exchanged between members of the ' crew and theii*- sweethearts and friends they . left, behind. 'The inevitable keepsakes ' were demanded at the last moment and more than one confused jack scrambled on 1 ’ board leaving, his cap in hands, that. will ‘ cherish it until love dies. . : , With the exception of between- 80 and 100 New Zealanders who are going honie to qualify or serve for a period on for* \ eign stations, the majority of the rireri are unlikely (o re-visit the Dominion as their terms of service in New Zealand waters . have expired. The command "35 go aft” was the signal that cut the last tie that bound the ship to the shore. To the accompaniment of /- cheers, goodbyes and showers of confetti \ the warship pulled out from the wharf and ' slipped swiftly out into the stream- while the band played. "Rolling Home” and. the • crew stood silently at attention on the decks as she turned 'in mid-stream. "... The final signals were exchanged with * the land by heliograph, and before steam* ing out of the harbour the warship swept ' close in to the Devonport shore, passing •• HALS, Philomel so closely that faces cotild be distinguished on both vessels. Cheery were exchanged as the Diomede sped past and . these were the final verbal contacts the vessel had with the land she was leaving. The warship is under orders to proceed j to Chatham. Ari extensive, refit is to -M undertaken in England and the vessel < due back in New Zealand with a new crew in about a year.