Cruisers to Try Refuelling At Sea

Chronicle (Levin), 30 March 1948, Page 5

Cruisers to Try Refuelling At Sea

Press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND, March 29. A fuelling 'ope'ration at sea is to be earried out bvUhe Australian cniiser Australia and tfre X e \v .Zealanfl . ship . Bellona wlien they leave Devonport to-' morrow morning f'or further exereifj.es in the Hauraki Gulf used widely bv Hritish and Anierican naval 1'orces during tlie Paeific war. The technique of iransferring oil t'uel belween ships at sea has now become standard praetiee in the Navv. One lnetliod whieh has received wble 'publicity is to connect a floafing pipe-line between two ships as they lie in line. However, the Australia and Beltona will ado])t an arte.rnative system of bringing the two cruisers alongside and leading an oil connection across the docks. Tlris proeedure calls for skilfnl seanianshij) and accnrate judgnient in manoeuvring two heavy ships into position and in maintaining plaee in f'aee of sea ajul wind while the oil is being passed. There. will also be further exereises :for oftieers of the watch. Oontinual ehanges in speed, course and disposi1 ioii will be signalled from Kear-Admiral , II. H. Fanieomb in the Australia and as each lioist of code flags is run down the Bellona and Aussie destrover Balaan will be presented with practical tests in station-keeping to maintain or suljust their relative positions. The two Australian ships and the. Bellona will part company at the Three Kings tomorrow evening. The Australia and Bataan will set a course for their liome base of Hyduey while the Bellona will proceed to Tarakohe where she is dne to arrive 011 Thursday. Leaving on Saturd^y s'lie will carry out the following itinerary: — Xew PJymouth April to 9, Peldrus >Souud April 9 to 16, Wellington April 16 to. 19, Ba.v of Islands A |>ri I 21 to 26, Hauraki Gulf April 26 to .Mav -1, Motuihi Ishind May 4 to 6, return to I/evonport .Uav 6. AffhougTi rf is customarv for one of the major ships on a station to make an autumn crnise in Xeiv Zealand waters, ihe Bellona 's itinerary has been p rapanui to give emphasis to her new role as a naval training vessel. Afuch of her time away from Auckland will be spenf either at sea or in epiiet ftnchorages which will provide wrde oppdrtunities for the voung ship's company to receive ilastriiction.