Few Ports Can Accommodate Vanguard

Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1948, Page 6

Few Ports Can Accommodate Vanguard

iy AUCKLAND, August 12. " Few New" Zealand ports will be eapable of accomiuodating Il.M.B. Vanguard wlien she brings the Royal Family to- New Zealaud earlv - next yeat.' The battloslup will be the largest warship' to visit the Dominion and her siz'e and the expense of maintaining a vessel of her cluss at sea, vviJl automatieally restrict her movements in New Zealand wateTs. The drauglit of the Vanguard is still secret but com parisons of 'displaeemen't^ and 1 d'evrign indicate that she requires considerabl.v more water than the battlecruiser Hood The latter drew .'l.'ift when she ied the special 'service squadron of the Royal Navy into Auc.klaud,.ln 1 92.4.. - With a slt!j:iHl;iu.d dispbicement. of' 42,500 tons, thA.'Varigu^rd. is als.O larger and heaVier t^lian botli the Ilow'e and Renown, two other capital, sliips which liave bertlied at ^uekJjilnfl. ' Evqu Auckland harbour, A,vhich '"Is-toqsidered certain to be incliuled' in the Vanguard 's itineraryj nfl'ers no lunulsonie niargin of water for the battteship.' Ilowever,. with the advautage of the tide she would have 110 ditficulty in crossing J.he shallow part of the cliaiinel ui the vicinity of North Ilead and tlie deepest berth at Princess W],iarf would not require inucli additional dredging to complv with her requirements. g