CRUISE OF ISLANDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 207, 2 August 1937, Page 8

CRUISE OF ISLANDS.

H.M.S. WELLINGTON RETURNS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 1. Increasing her speed in order to have a member of tho crew taken to hospital as soon as possible, the Imperial escort vessel Wellington returned to Auckland on Saturday from her annual winter cruise to the South Pacific Islands. The return of the Wellington calls attention to the recent change by the Admiralty in tho nomenclature of all those vessels formerly classed as sloops. Apparently to simplify the naval classification, such ships as the Wellington and the Leith, which have hitherto been known as “Imperial patrol sloops,’’are now to be styled “escort vessels.” In addition to making tho usual round of visits in the Islands, the Wellington also took the party of New Zealand scientists who recently observed the eclipse of the sun, to Canton Island, in the Phoenix Group. Shore parties were landed to assist tho scientific party with its work, and concerts were also held to help pass the time while waiting for the eclipse. Some notice boards calling attention to Great Britain’s possession ot this island were nailed to the boles of cocoanut trees, but no steps * were taken during the cruise to Jay claim to any other islands. After disembarking the scientists at Apia, the . Wellington continued her cruise, making calls at Faksofa, Atafu, Nukunono, Pago Pago, Suvarov Moorea, Papeete, Aitutaki and Rarotonga. The whole cruise was uneventful, and the weather generally was good. The case of illness which caused the ship’s hurried return to port was the only mishap experienced. Two other ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy have yet to return from their cruises to the Islands. Rear-Admiral Drummond’s flagship, Achilles, will return to Auckland on August 27, in company with the new cruiser for the station, Leander, and on September 18, the escort ship Leith is due. The three ships will have, between them, paid vists to most of the British, American and French possessions in the Pacific, and will have made one of the most comprehensive patrols of Imperial outposts ever undertaken.