Steady Progress On New Frigate

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31109, 12 July 1966, Page 5

Steady Progress On New Frigate

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s new frigrate, H.M.N.Z.S. ’Waikato, is now getting her “teeth.” Latest addition has been her main gunnery armament twin 4.5 inch guns in a single turret, and each day the frigate looks more and more like the warship she is destined to be. There are now six officers, including Captain S. F. Mercer, R.N.Z.N. the commanding officer-designate, and 42 ratings standing by the Waikato, which is due to commission at Belfast in midSeptember. Some of the men, however, are at present in England learning about the

new equipment for which they will be responsible. The rest are kept busy getting the ship’s organisation ready for the arrival of the main body of the ship’s company. To them has fallen the task of sorting out the large number of stores and helping the shipbuilders with such things as advice on the best position for certain equipment for ease of operation and maintenance.

The ship is due to commission for service in September and will sail for New Zealand after working up in the United Kingdom. She is expected to arrive at Tauranga next May. During the winter months a number of ratings played Rugby with local Belfast clubs. Engineroom Artificers D. A. Cootes, from Papatoetoe and G. M. Bell from Dargaville, joined Petty Officer Electrician L. W. Milham from Auckland in turning out for Irish fifteens. Cootes has also been awarded his black belt in judo and a number of other ratings belong to a judo club in Belfast. Stores Assistant M. J. Eagle is playing for a city cricket club.

Married men have found accommodation in furnished flats or houses in the city, while unaccompanied married men and single men are living in what are known as “approved lodgings.” These are inspected by a ship’s officer to see if they are of a suitable standard before a rating takes up residence. It has been found that the New Zealanders quickly become “one of the family,” settling down easily in the traditional atmosphere of Irish friendliness and hospitality. Some of the sailors have bought ears, but most travel to the ship each day in doubledecker buses, sitting alongside Irish shipyard workmen in their traditional cloth caps and tweed trousers; The photographs show H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato under construction at the yards of Harland and Wolff, Belfast, and the twin 4.5 in turret being lowered into position.