Sep-Oct, Nov, Dec 1962-Jan 1963 - Navy League of Australia

Three senior officers have attendedthe long. ta|M>rt ship to replaceH.M.N.Z.S. ENDEAV­OUR.When he announced this, theMinister for Defence, Mr. Eyre,said that the tanker was U.S.S.NAMAKAGON, at present inreserve on the West Coast olthe United States.Her acquisition marked mostsuccessful negotiations with theUnited States Government.Mr. Eyre said that the derisionto continue New Zealand's Antarcticoperations past the InternationalGeophysical Year meantfinding some method ol supplyingSeott Base at MeMurdoSound.This was achieved at first bvemploying H.M.N.Z.S. EN­DEAVOUR on a support andoccanographic: role, although shehad been obtained initially onlyfor two voyages associated withthe Trans-Antartic Expedition."ENDEAVOUR was not intendedfor this work, and afterthree more voyages it was apparentthat she could not continuewithout a complete and expensiverefit," Mr. Eyre said."We began looking for a replacement,and before long we32had settled on some form olmulti-purpose tanker."This t\|x- ol ship tan lakein the large quantities ol luelthai are essential in the Antarctic,and she can cany othertypes ol stores as well."In addition, when she is notneeded in the Antartic, she canservice island, and meteorologicalstations."Perhaps most important,her tanker capacity would he olthe greatest value ol our shipsin (he vast distances ol thePacific."Mr. Eyre said that a suitableship. NAMAKAGON, had beenlocated in the United State 1 ..She was a Palopasco classtanker, which was the si/e wewere looking lor. and could bemanned without difficulty by theRoyal New Zealand Navy.Similar ships — notablv L'.S.S.NESPELEN and ELKHORN —operated in New Zealand with"Deep Freeze", and examinationof them confirmed the suitabilityof the class."The United States most generouslyoffered her to us on along-term loan," Mr. Eyre said."However, she has been in reserve,and some work is requiredto make her ready lot" operationaluse. and to strengthen herlor employment in ice."New Zealand will accept thecost ol this, and this amountwill be an interest-free loan tothis country by the UnitedStates.However. NAMAKAGONwill not be completely employedsupplying Sioti Base during theAntarctic summer, and she willhave time to transport fuel onbehall of Deep Freeze'."This will mean a considerablesaving to the United Slates,and may even mean that theywill be able 10 reduce their owntanker support."They have generously agreedto apply this saving in costsagainst our loan, and it is hopedby this means to reduce it substantially."The new Antarctic supply shipwill he the second N.Z. ship tobear the name. The name isbeing retained because ol itsclose association with CaptainJames Cook, who, in H.M.S.EN DEAVOU R, r e d i s coveredNew Zealand in I7b9.On a subsequent voyage, Cookbecame the first explorer to crossthe Antarctic circle.THE NAVYJ TELEPHONE MX 5844116 CHALMERS STREET,AWWA^WVW^VWWM^SWAAAftWVWYW^^^YWAHSYDNEYIT'S NEW . . . IT'S FABULOUS . . . IT'S EXCITINGMAMA'S MOST MODERN LICENSED RESTAURANTSHANGRI-LATELEPHONE MX 5844 \Chinese, Continental, English Meals lor your |iersonal enjoyment.The Restaurant you have waited so long tot• OUR CHARGES ARE RIGHT• OUR MUSIC IS RIGHT• FULLY LICENSED TILL MIDNIGHT AND SUNDAYS• PARTIES. BIRTHDAYS, WEDDINGS CATERED FORDiscover us . . . Dine, Wine and Dance at theSll I X1.lt I-I 1(Mine Host: Syd Dawson, Late R.A.N.)11 BELGRAVE STREET, MANLYA few doors from Manly Council ChambersFOR RESERVATIONS . . . PHONE XU 4420THESE FACILITIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE GOLDEN ROSEOpposite Collaroy Surf ShedsMMWVWVYWWyWhere Liquor Refreshments ure arranged by Phoning XW 5334