VISIT OF THE CHATHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1922, Page 6

VISIT OF THE CHATHAM.

A TOUR OF INSPECTION. MUCH OF INTEREST TO SEE. TYPICAL UNIT OF THE FLEET. To those who inspect a warship for the first time the interior is full of interest, as a Daily News representative found yesterday when visiting the cruiser Chatham, as she lay at anchor off the breakwater at New Plymouth. The trip out was made by launch, and after ten minutes’ tossing among the wind-swept waves a grey steel wall dotted with scuttles and surmounted by a rail towered above. The ascent to the quarter-deck was easily accomplished by means of a ladder that reached to the water’s edge, and, under the guidance of an obliging petty officer, a tour of inspection was made. On the quarter-deck is one of the Chatham’s eight 6-inch guns, with a range of 11 miles. These guns can be fired either by hand or electrically. In action the handling of the guns is directed by one man, who can, if he will, fire a whole broadside simultaneously by the pressing of an electric button. When the gun is fired the recoil is considerable, so that all glass fixtures, photographs, etc., are taken down beforehand. The quarter-deck is the sacred ground of the navy, and officers and men alike, in accordance with an age-old naval custom, raise their hand to the salute every time they have occasion to come on to it. A GIFT BELL.

The ship’s bell is a very finely toned one, and was presented to the cruiser by the citizens of Chatham, where the vessel was built, and after which town she was named, when she wa* commissioned in 1912. Tbe bell bears the borough of Chatham’s coat of arms. In passing between decks the blacksmith’s shop, with all the appurtenances of the forge ashore, is noticed, and then attention is directed aloft to the cruiser’s five searchlights, with shutters just like the lens of a camera. There are two paravanes on board. These instruments were inventions that were evolved during the war, and are torpedolike contrivances which are used for cutting the wires which join • > the deadly floating mines. The nose of the projectile strikes the wire, which is forced up into tbe teeth of a cutter.

Up a ladder we climb to the bridge, where we are introduced to an assortment of levers, message-transmitters, the ship’s compass, and the brass-studded steeringwheel. Here also are the flag lockers—each flag rolled neatly in a bundle and placed in a docketed compartment—two sets of semaphores, and the keys to the fighting and manoeuvring lights and flash lamps, which are connected with the mast heads, and at night blink messages across five miles of darkness. If, however, it is necessary to signal a ship which is beyond the horizon, there is a special 2500 candle power searchlight for the purpose, whose beams are directed to the sky, and can be seen by tbe signalled vessel. THE MEN’S QUARTERS. A visit is made to the seamen’s mess deck. All hammocks have been neatly stowed away, but attached to tbe ceiling are the ban to which these are slung when the weary sailorman courts slumber. Eighteen inches are allowed to a man, which, to a land-lubber’s eyes seems ridiculously insufficient but which to the men who go down to the sea in ships is “just right ” A piano is provided for the men’s entertainment, whilst a jazz band has also been formed. Along a passage tbe cooks’ galley is passed. Here meals are prepared and cooked for 400 men. The sick bay is further along tbe passage, and is fitted up with four beds which are fastened by a rod in such a way as to allow them to roll with the ship’s motion. The hospital is in charge of a doctor, who also has an assistant. The next places visited were the warrant officers’ mess and the commissioned officers’ cabins. A glimpse was caught of the refrigerating department, where, amongst other things, the meat supply is kept. Large supplies of foodstuffs are taken on at a time; hence the necessity for a refrigerator. Another instance of the self-supporting nature of the ship is the bakehouse, where bread —and by appearances, very good bread, too—is baked twice daily, the total output for each day being 4001bs. The compartments on the lower deck are watertight, a system which stood the Chatham in good stead on at least one occasion during the war. When the ship goes into action these compartments are locked, access to tbe upper deck being provided by ladders. 'Hie officers’ wardroom is a cbmfortably furnished and cosy compartment. An interesting souvenir is to be found here. It is one of the pieces of the dinner service which belonged to Lord Nelson. The original set consisted of 24 pieces, and these were distributed amongst the 24 vessels which it was considered had rendered the most meritorious service during the war. In the corridor nearby are revolvers, under lock and key, and neatly packed in racks are the ship’s supply of short Enfield rifles. Besides these there are also four Lewis guns of the same pattern as those which proved so invaluable to the army.

THE RUM “BREAKER”. Six drums, which were till recently on the H.M.S. Renown, and which are adorned with the Prince of Wales’ feathers, were presented to the Chatham just before she left for New Zealand. Another object of interest, traditionally connected with the navy, is the rum “breaker,” from which the daily allowance is made, and on which is inscribed the toast: “The King; God bless him.” Nearby is the spirit room, whose name sufficiently indicates its function. Towards the stern of the ship are tbe commodore’s dining and sleeping quarters. The engineers’ workshop was visited, after which a descent was made to the main engine-room, where the workings of the wonderful and intricate machinery were explained. There are three boiler rooms, each accommodating four boilers. The ship’s water supply is obtained by a careful process of distilling the sea water. Arrival once more on the quarter-deck brought a pleasant two hours to a close. Perhaps the two things that remain uppermost in tbe mind after such a visit are, firstly, the absolute spic and span appearance of every part of the ship, and. secondly, the courtesy and civility of all on board, who are only too pleased to he of service. The fine tone of the ship, the obdience of the men, and the respect in which they hold their officers, can leave in the mind of the visitor only the pleasantest recollections of the navy and all it stands for.