NEW ZEALAND'S LAST VISIT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 278, 20 August 1919, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND'S LAST VISIT

HER PINE BATTLE RECORD. Tho first arrival of H.M.S. Now Zealand here was on Saturday afternoon, April 12, 1913, and few who witnessed hor ontrance to Lambton Harbour on that dark, blustery .day would over forgot it. She was'then tho most formidable fighting ship that had entered the heads, ami since then no warship of superior , fighting power has visited the port, so that tho Dominion's own gift ship still | remains the best and biggest exhibit in war craft that has pushed her bulk 1 through theso waters. On, her previous visit tho vessel was met' by a large qotilla of small craft, which formed two lines to tho northward of Ward Island, aud after the cruiser had passed through, they followed in processional form until the big ship dropped anohor in the stream, when they circled round her, the crowds on board cheering Captaiu Halsev and hia men by way of weloome. Though it blew half a gale, and the sky was obscured by low, leadeu-toned clouds,, the oitv streets were deserted. All Wellington rseemed to have gone to the waterfront to honour the stranger. Sinco then the New Zealand has had her baptism of fire in three distiuct engagements. Theso were off Heligoland on August 28, 1914, when she fired 82 rounds and 2 torpedoes. Her next engagement was the famous action at Dodger Bank, 'when the German battleship Blucher was sunk, after being well perforated by the New Zealand. Princess Royal, and Tiger, who circled round her.

"When Blucher struck," says the log o? H.M.S. New Zealand, "the other enemy ships were in sight about twelve miles distant. The ' ship sank at 12.29 p.m. (on January 24, 1915). Blucher was apparently the only ship which fired on the New Zealand, who was not hit throughout the angagoment. The chase coinjneneed near-Dogger Bank, (vnti we were 70 W.N.W. off Heligoland when the 6guadron retired, a distance of over 100 miles from the commencement of the action."

During that action the New Zealand attained o speed of 27 knots, and IS9 shots were firaL

Tho next engagement was the historic Battle of Jutland fought on May 31. 1910. In this engagement the "X" turret was struck by an 11-inch shell, but none was injured. From 6to 8.40 p.m. the New Zealand was under' heavy fire, whereas her fire was intermittent owing to the intermittent appearances of the enemy in the mist. At 8.41 tho New Zealand was apparently hit under water, tho shock being felt everywhere on the ship. This may -have been a submerged wreck or possibly tho fprce of an explosion somewhere in the vicinity, though at tho time an unexplocled" to - pedo was the popular explanation. No damage was discovered, and_ subsequently it was ascertained that this shock had been felt by every ship about this time. The shell which hit X turret blew a hole in the deck, and completely wrecked some bags and bag racfes on tho mess deck. Ono large splinter pierced the armour deck, entered the engineer's workshop, and shattered tho grindstone, liarrowly missing several men stationed there. A sliell 6plinter passed through the ensign staff, the damaged portion of which is now in the possession of the New Zealand Government. The second picket boat was .holed by. splinters in three places and the third outter was much damaged in bow. A .shell passed through the silk Jack on .the foremast, the tattered flag also now being in tho Government's _ possession. shell were also picked up in the midship deck near "Q" turret and on the. forecastle. Tho upper deck showed signs of having beou hit by splinters in many places. During the Battle of Jutland 430 rounds were fired by the Nw Zealand. The New Zealand also formed part of the British fleet present at the surrender of tho German fleet at Scapa Flow on November 21, 1018.

In an advertisement appearing in this issue the president of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce is recommending all business houses to close their premises to-morrow from the hour of tho arrival of the New Zealand until 2 p.m., to permit their staffs to participate in the reception.