U.S. CRUISER ARRIVES AT AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 271, 16 November 1945, Page 8

U.S. CRUISER ARRIVES AT AUCKLAND

<P-A.) Auckland, Nov. 13 U.S.S. Vincennes, flagship qf RearAdmiral Paul Hendren, commander of the South Pacific Area and Force, arrived at Auckland this afternoon from Noumea. She berthed at 4 p.m., having arrived in the inner harbour at 2 p.m. She will remain at Auckland until Monday, when she will leave for Wellington, bfcing due there on Tuesday. Rear Admiral Hendren followed his Navy’s peacetime practice and had the New Zealand Ensign hoisted for the Vincennes’ entry into port. Almost his first action after his ship had been berthed was to express his pleasure at being able to make the visit, and to extend an invitation to members of the public to visit the ship. Of 10,000 tons, and classed as a light cruiser, the Vincennes is commanded by Captain William G. Lalor, U.S.N., his executive officer being Commander L. W. Bailey, U.S.N. There are rather more tha--70 officers and about 1100 enlisted men on board. The main armament consists of 12 6in. guns in four triple turrets, and there are also 12 sin. guni and a large number of 40 and 20 millimetre pieces, the former the familiar Bofors and the latter the equally familiar Oerlikons. Four float planer are carried.

The Vincennes belongs to the largest cruiser class in the world, far more than 50 having gone down the ways in the United States during the past few years. On board the Vincennes is the flag band of the commander of the South Pacific Area an 1 Force, Rear-Admiral Hendren. This bind is composed of two units each of 23 pieces, and has been broughl to New Zealand bv RearAdmiral Hendren for the purpose of giving benefit performances in aid of various local institutions, and organisations. The bands belong to the United States Navy School of Music, and it is stated that they are equally capable of presenting concert and dance music. They.have been in the South Pacific area f4r 18 months.