THE MINE-SWEEPERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 229, 21 June 1919, Page 8

THE MINE-SWEEPERS

INFLUENZA ON BOARD

GERANIUM AND MARGUERITE IN QUARANTINE

Tho exploits of -Srako and oilier famous admirals who swept the seas in days gone by form stibjocO matter for some of tin: brightest pages in England's naval, history. In another sense England is sti'.i swooping the .seas, still riskily* lifo and limb and stout ships in cleansing the sens of those hideous lloatinc death-traps, the Herman T.N.T.laden mines, so adroitly planted o.tong our trado routes by tho notorious Wolf. To do this special work a special typo of vessel jrat designed br tho naval architects, and three of tho kind—floridly I named Iha Geranium,. Marguerite, and Hallow—arrived in Wellington from the Kast, via Sydney, on Thursday afternoon, I and may ho seen at anchor ill tho stream. In a way. ii: was unfortunate that these vessels called at Sydney—whero they were docked for a cleaning and painting below the water-line—for influenza developed 011 two of (hem—tho Geranium and Mnrguorite—on tho run across to Wellington, and they have been placed in quarantine by the port health authorities. There wore yesterday morning twelve cases on tho Geranium and two on the Marguerite, and of the total two cases arc reported to be serious. This wjll. of course, delay Hie prosecution of their mission to waters, which is to carefully sweep the minefields olf Cape Farewell and tho North Cape, which areas have already been covered as well as circumstances permitted by the improvised sweepers Nora Niven and Simplon.' Tho recent discovery of a mine 011 the beach near New Plymouth would, however, serve to suggest that (here may he others still holding on to. their moorings. On the other hand the .number of mines which have drifted ashore on different parts of the west' coast is evidonco that the moorings ware only meant to endure tho wear and tear of (bo ocean wash for a given time, and that time, has olapsed.

The third, sweeper, the Mallow, was freo of influenza yesterday, and, providing there are no developments, she will be berthed at the Ferry Wharf to-day.

To (ho layman's cyo tho sweepers in part resemble pictures of British thirdclass oruisers, but to the skilled naval eye they would not lie mistaken for suMi. They lmvo a high forecastle-head, two stump funnels amidships, and a flushdeck aft, and all nro painted that dull, ohscurativo grey, which is the Navy hue. As before stated, they are a special typo designed and built for the work during the period of tho war, and are manned by naval latinos. Bach vessel is of 3200 tons register, and with engines developing 2000 horse-power, are capable, of steaming seventeen knots per hour. As against this it is interesting to remark that British destroyer's have engines capable of developing up to 22,000 horsepower, and steaming 40 knots per hour. Tho sweepers are 267f1. in length, and have a beam measurement of !)3it. They are fitted with singlo propellers, which are safer for the work the sweepers are designed for tlmn twin screws.

The full complement of each vessel is 77 liien. The Geranium is commanded by Commander Russell, 8.N.; tho Mallow by Lieutenant-Commander Baldwin, B.N\Tt.; and tho Marguerite by-Lieuten-ant-Commander C-ooper, ]f.N.

Before reaching Australasian waters tlio three sweepers, which work together, dill valuable woric off Singapore, and also off Bombay harbour. Under the circumstances it cannot bo slated when the visitors will be able to get to work, but aa soon ns iho two vessels are declared "clean" in a medical sense, sweeping operations will bo commenced. Whilst the.vessels aro in New Zealand wafers they will be under the direction of Captain P. H'. -Hall-Thompson, li.N., C.31.G.. Naval Adviser to the New Zealand Government.