RETURNING TO ENGLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19988, 13 July 1939, Page 14

RETURNING TO ENGLAND

ADMIRALTY SURVEY SHIP COMPLAINTS P.Y CREW NEW VESSEL LIKELY (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this clay. A statement that the Admiralty survey ship Endeavour was returning to England was made yesterday by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in reply to inquiries made as a result of rumours to this effect Circulating in Auckland. The Minister said the Endeavour would be returning to England toward the end of August ancl would be replaced in due course by a more modern survey ship. When the Endeavour came back to Auckland recently after a season's survey on the coast between Wliangarei and Russell, the commander. Captain Wyatt, stated the ship would probably be recommissioned in New Zealand about August 24. This plan was in accordance with the arrangements made when the ship first arrived at Auckland on June 15. 1937, to .begin the long-awaited marine survey of the whole of the New Zealand coastline. It was never intended that the Endeavour should finish this task, which, it has been estimated, will take from 20 to 30 years, but it was thought that she would do at least part of her second commission before being relieved by a more modern vessel. Possible Successors Because the Endeavour burns coal, it has been found that the farther she works away from a convenient coaling base the less economical does noi running become, and it has not been expected at any time that she would carry the survey past North Cape and, possibly, not beyond Three Kings. The name of the ship to relieve the Endeavour when the time came was discussed shortly after she began her work. The two ships named as possibilities were the Heron, a new surveying vessel which was included in the 1936 naval estimates among the ships to be ordered, and two others of the same class, the Bittern and the Egret.

However, it was not until aftei complaints were made recently abouv the cramped conditions for the Endeavour’s crew and of the .peculia, ly exacting task confronting the stokers in a small coal-burning ship on survey, that the possibility of the snip not beginning another commission was suggested. The Endeavour returned to port last on June 1. For the following few days a naval inquiry was held into the allegations of dissatisfaction on the ship. In the last few days the ratings of the Endeavour, who had volunteered to serve in the next commission, have said that the ship is to return to England. These statements are now confirmed by the Minister. It is considered that the recent complaints of accommodation for the large crew needed for the survey have hastened the relief of the vessel.