NEW ZEALAND CRUISERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 19, 23 January 1935, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND CRUISERS

DIOMEDE NEEDS REPAIR. DEFECT IN BRACKET. ( Per Press Association 1. AUCKLAND, Jan. 22. Discovery of a defect iu “a bracket” supporting the starboard propeller tailshaft of the H.M.S. Diomede will mean that that cruiser will make a prolonged stay in dock. The lignum vitae bush in the bearing of the bracket has become badly worn, and will have Io be replaced. This is a somewhat lengthy task and repairs are not expected to be completed before February 5. The Diomede went into dock on January 12 for cleaning and inspection preparatory to her southern cruise. It was thought her stay in dock would be from five 'to ten days, depending on the amount of work to be done, but the defect in the bracket means much additional work.

Faults in “a bracket” of both the Dunedin and the Diomede have caused a measure of trouble in the past. Thin fact that this is the third similar repair job found necessary within the space of a year draws attention to the age of the two cruisers on the station. The fact that, the Diomede will be making a longer slay in dock than anticipated has interfered with the programme for her southern cruise. If the repairs are completed according to present schedule sho will leave Auckland for Gisborne on February 5, a day late, and one day will be omitted from her stay at Gisborne before she proceeds to the south to sail ou training cruises with Wellington, Canterbury ami Otago divisions of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The Laburnum will go into dock at Devonport as soon as the Diomede comes out. She will be overhauled and generally prepared for her firal voyage Io England, where she will be broken up. The Laburnum is to leave Auckland towards the end of February and will be replaced by the now convoy : loop. Wellington, about lh<> middle of fhn ymir.