45

A.—4

3. The publications referred to above cover the whole training and duties of Auxiliary Patrol vessels in time of war, and it is strongly recommended that the Navy Board should obtain sufficient copies to have on hand ready for issue in case of necessity, and for use as a guide in training the Auxiliary Patrol Section of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Naval Reserve in their duties in peace time. 4. The following notes on the organization of the Trawler Patrol, at one of the principal Auxiliary Patrol bases in England during the war, will also be found useful as a guide. Notes on Organization of Traider Patrol. 5. The trawlers are divided into units of six. Amongst the six are two fitted with W/T. The unit is commanded by a Lieutenant, R.N.R., called the Divisional Officer (DO.). It is divided into sections of three, and the second section of three is commanded by a Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.R. As skippers become educated, and capable of performing the duties of a Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.R., they are promoted to Group Skippers and take command of the second section. When Group Skippers become further educated they are promoted to Chief Skippers and take command of an unit of trawlers in place of a Lieutenant, R.N.R. 6. The complement of a trawler depends on her armament. The best armament from experience is the 7-5 in. howitzer, placed amidships before the bridge, and a 6-pr. H.A. gun mounted on the forecastle ; two trays mounted on either quarter for depth charges, and as many depth, charges as the vessel can conveniently carry. 7. It is advisable to leave the gallows, fitted in the ships for fishing, on board the vessels, as when not employed on patrol duties they can be employed fishing, and when on patrol duties, if necessary to convert them into mine-sweepers, it can be done expeditiously and at small expense. 8. With seventy-two trawlers, or twelve units, at a base, it is possible to keep five units continually at sea day and night. The five units which are in harbour coal, provision, and obtain their stores and water during the period of rest. Two units are placed in the basin to undergo periodical refit or for change of boiler-water. 9. Dry-docking takes place once in six months. Bottoms are repainted, underwater fittings, rudder-pintles, and gudgeons examined, and the stern-tubes tested as to their truth in the bearings. 10. Thus it will be seen that of the patrol in- question, five units—that is, thirty trawlers—were at sea day and night for four days, five units were in harbour, and two units were in dock, dry-docking, undergoing periodical refit, or changing boiler-water. 11. The five units in harbour were made into four units, in order to make sure that there were always at least six ready for sea as the " Duty Unit." They took turns in the four days as follows : — First unit was duty unit. Second unit was employed provisioning. Third unit was employed coaling Fourth unit stood off and attended gunnery and signalling instructions. When coaling and provisioning was completed in the afternoon, as it always was in the summer months, the coaling and provisioning unit attended gunnery and signal instructions in the afternoon.