BRAND NEW SHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 226, 23 September 1940, Page 6

BRAND NEW SHIPS.

FOR MINE SWEEPING. N.Z. MEN IN COMMAND. In a letter received in Auckland from a New Zealander, ,Sub-Lieulenant J. T. Hilliard, N.Z.R.N.V.R., who recently left for England with a detachment of other officers, ho mentions the fact that several of the party have already received commands and are enthusiastic about their new appointments. "I am sure you will be pleased to hear of the New Zealand officers' good fortune in getting commands immediately," he writes. "Taylor, Newman, Connolly, Smyth, Bridson, Harding. Phipps, Palmer, Ti.-well and myself all have commands. "They are beautiful littic ships, 700tons and brand new. The accommodation is first class. The bridge is totally enclosed and has three decks, the last deck containing two cabins. Mine is approximately 10ft by Oft, with a built in bunk, built-in wardrobes, hot and cold water, writing desk, bathroom, and in fact everything has been studied for comfort as much as possible. The other cabin is somewhat similar, only smaller. "Down helow, aft, there is a bathroom and, going down, a hatch opens out on to a flat, one side of which contains two cabins, very well equipped. On the other side there is a wardroom, about 15ft by 10ft, containing table and chairs, coal stove and a pneumaticcushioned settee. "As I have said before, they are •brand new ship*, and suited only for mine-sweeping. What will happen to them after the war I do not know as there is no space at all for fish. Their sweeping gear Js ait and very easy to operate. "We are naturally delighted to get such ships. They are single-screw, with a rather high forecastle, which makes them a bit difficult to manoeuvre, but after getting the hang of it we shall be quite all right. "Everybody has been very decent to us over" here and the weather so far has heen jolly good. We have had no long leave since "we have been here, but have managed to get two or three week-ends to see London."