|
|
Post by emron on May 18, 2022 19:52:17 GMT 12
Waikato Independent, 10 December 1947.
Visit Recalled of Aircraft Carrier
H.M.S. THESEUS IN N.Z.
---
LEAVE SPENT IN CAMBRIDGE
___
When H.M.S. Theseus visited New Zealand earlier in the year a number of the crew made a short stay in Cambridge, where they made many friends and experienced a very enjoyable country holiday. They were loud in their praise of Cambridge, and this is reiterated in a letter from one of them, Arthur Reid, which has just been received by Mr. T. Milnes, of Grey Street.
“I need hardly say that the few days we spent in Cambridge will be remembered by all of us for a long time,” the writer stated. He mentioned the names of several people they met and added, “tell them that if ever any of us are out your way again, we will certainly do our best to see you all. Thanks once again for one of the finest, if one of the shortest, leaves I have ever had. I’d still like to come and live and work in Cambridge when I leave the Navy.”
After leaving New Zealand, the aircraft carrier sailed for Japan, and it was from there that the letter was written and sent to New Zealand by air mail. It contained the news that under the new scheme to reduce the size of the British fleet, H.M.S. Theseus would be returning to England. Most of the crew had been drafted to other ships, but the writer was hoping to go home in the Theseus. This was a welcome surprise, as he did not expect to see his family for at least another year. As he (now) expected to be home for Christmas, he had spent much of his shore leave buying things to take home.
“We will certainly have a good Christmas dinner. I’m going to see to that,” he concluded.
|
|
|
|
Post by emron on May 18, 2022 20:37:33 GMT 12
Bay of Plenty Times, 9 September 1947.
SPECTACULAR END
TO TANKER
TARGET FOR PLANES FROM
THESEUS
----
ARMOUR-PIERCING ROCKETS
AND BOMBS
__
(P.A.) Auckland, Sept. 9.
Bombs and rockets from the aircraft of H.M.S. Theseus will hasten the end of the veteran naval tanker Nucula. Plans have yet to be completed but, if flying conditions are favourable, it is probable that the old ship, now reduced to a shell by the shipbreakers, will be towed from Auckland tomorrow and attacked by a force of 16 planes on Thursday.
Leaving her final berth at Export Wharf, the 41-year-old tanker will be taken beyond the 100-fathom line to a point 15 miles east of Cuvier Light. There she will become a target for eight Fireflies each equipped with eight 25lb armour-piercing rockets, and eight Seafires each carrying two 250lb bombs. They will launch their attacks before scuttling charges are fired in the Nucula.
As a safety link, radio communication will be established between the aircraft and one of the tugs, which has already been fitted with wireless equipment for the operation. The Theseus’ Sea Otter amphibian will also be airborne in its customary air-sea rescue role.
|
|
|
|
Post by machina on May 19, 2022 1:20:36 GMT 12
I wonder if she ever had any parts replaced?  |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2022 9:00:27 GMT 12
Built in 1906, the Nucula was acquired by the NZ Government to supply HMS Diomede and HMS Dunedin in about 1920. It was NZ's first oil tanker. Here is the tanker Nucula alongside HMS Renown berthed in Auckland on the 24th of April 1920 - Link |
|
|
|
Post by emron on May 19, 2022 10:55:41 GMT 12
I wonder if she ever had any parts replaced? Were you meaning the Nucula ?? It looks like the weather spoilt the Theseus’ pilots fun as the Nucula wasn’t able to be towed to the target site until after the carrier had sailed for the Solomons on 17 September. Gisborne Herald, 16 September 1947. Continued high winds and rough seas off the coast granted a further reprieve for the hulk of the Admiralty oil tanker Nucula, which was to have been sunk at sea last week. Owing to the Marine Department tug being engaged on other duties this week, and the Auckland Launch and Towboat company’s small tug Coralie undergoing overhaul during the next few days, it is unlikely that the hulk will now leave Auckland until Friday. In the meantime, the Nucula will remain at her moorings in Shoal Bay. --- Gisborne Herald, 24 October 1947. HULK TO BE SCUTTLED VETERAN OIL TANKER (P.A.) Auckland, Oct. 24. The veteran oil tanker Nucula was, reduced by scrappers to an empty hull, took it’s last departure from the port of Auckland yesterday afternoon. The shell of the 41-year-old vessel, for many years a naval tanker on the New Zealand station, was towed from its moorings towards the open sea, where it is to be sunk by scuttling this afternoon. |
|
|
|
Post by emron on May 19, 2022 11:47:01 GMT 12
Theseus commenced it’s NZ visit in Wellington on 23 August. It was there for six days before sailing to Auckland.
-----
The Press, 1 September 1947.
THESEUS ARRIVES AT AUCKLAND
SALUTES FIRED AS CARRIER
ENTERS HARBOUR
(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 30.
The aircraft-carrier Theseus, escorted by the destroyer Cockade, entered Auckland harbour after 9 a.m. to-day in brilliant sunshine. She exchanged salutes with the shore, and berthed at 10 a.m. As the 13-gun salute from the Devonport Naval Base boomed out, the ship’s company came to attention and remained motionless until the sharper cracks of the Theseus’ returning salute died away.
Twenty-three aircraft from the carrier took off near Tiritiri before the ship’s arrival at Auckland and roared over the city in tight formation on their way to Whenuapai airfield, where they will carry out a training programme, concentrating on deck-landing practice. Deck landing will be practised on the carrier itself in the Hauraki Gulf on September 15 and 16.
Many visiting Navy men hope to visit farms, and it is possible they will be given 48 hour’s leave to accept rural hospitality. However, during their stay in Auckland work will come first and pleasure afterwards, according to Rear-Admiral G. E. Creasy.
The most thrilled of the company aboard the Theseus were 12 Wellington sea cadets, who made the trip to Auckland. They were immediately absorbed into Navy routine, and assigned to seamen’s boy’s messes. One seaman boy was partnered with each cadet to act as confidential adviser in time of need. “We wish it had taken a week to reach Auckland,” the cadets said on their arrival.
|
|
|
|
Post by machina on May 19, 2022 18:15:21 GMT 12
Hi emron, no I was making an illusion to the ‘ship of Theseus’ philosophical problem.
|
|
|
|
Post by emron on May 20, 2022 11:13:59 GMT 12
OK, things eventually clicked. I hadn’t heard that one before, only the one about Washington’s axe. This carrier was scrapped before it was twenty so it probably didn’t suffer the identity crisis of it’s legendary predecessor. I can think of some modern day examples though, like our ageing fleet of Orions and Hercules and any number of warbird rebuilds created around a maker’s plate.
|
|
|
|
Post by emron on May 20, 2022 11:54:18 GMT 12
Northern Advocate, 4 September 1947.
R.N. PILOTS TRAIN
AT WHENUAPAI
(Special) AUCKLAND, This Day.
Looking somewhat incongruous among the Seafires and Fireflys from HMS Theseus which continued their exercises at Whenuapai yesterday, a lone Tiger Moth made it’s unassuming way around the circuit.
Although the plane itself was small fry compared to it’s naval fighters, its pilot was Captain R. K. Dickson, D.S.O., R.N. of Theseus, engaged in brushing up his flying which he learned privately in Portsmouth earlier this year, after his appointment to the aircraft-carrier.
An amphibian Sea Otter from Theseus took off from Auckland Harbour and landed on the runway at Whenuapai to take part in the exercises. Today the planes will operate off the west coast with the RNZAF air-sea rescue service in readiness in case of an emergency.
Ratings from the carrier among the servicing party at Whenuapai joined in the station sports yesterday. Challenges had been exchanged between seamen and airmen who met in a number of sports, including Soccer, hockey, golf and shooting.
|
|
|
|
Post by emron on May 20, 2022 15:15:43 GMT 12
Northern Advocate, 6 September 1947.
NAVAL PLANES
TO GIVE DISPLAY
(Special) AUCKLAND, This Day.
Crews of the air group from the aircraft-carrier Theseus will give a public air display in Seafire and Firefly planes at Whenuapai next Saturday afternoon and the proceeds will go to the purchase of parcels for Britain.
Besides the two squadrons of land planes, a naval amphibian Sea Otter will take part in the display, which is being organised by the RNZAF besides the personnel of the carrier.
Aucklanders will see rocket-assisted take-offs for the first time, while formation flying, aerobatics and other manoeuvres, including deck-landing on a specially marked section of the runway, will be held.
Naval aircraft were last seen at close range by the public of Auckland during the visit of HMS Indefatigable, when they flew from the air force station at Ardmore. Seafires and Fireflies were then the main attraction, although on that occasion flying was also done by Air Force pilots in their Corsair fighters.
|
|
