Memorable Visit by Cruiser

The Royalist

Gisborne will not soon forget the visit last month of the Royal New Zealand Navy's latest and most up-to-date ship, Hmnzs Royalist. Bristling with the latest in atomic-age equipment, the Royalist cruised into Poverty Bay on the morning of Tuesday, February 12, and anchored close in to "Waikanae Beach. The weather was perfect, and remained so for the whole of her stay, extending to the Friday morning, but a rolling sea made boarding a hazardous affair. One of her ratings was badly crushed while transferring from launch to ship. The heavy sea continued all week, so that all plans to have Gisborne visitors aboard for inspection and for cocktail parties had to be abandoned.

One of the Royalist's launches cruising in the bay

The Royalist's commanding officer, Captain Peter Phipps, D.S.C. and bar, V.R.D., coming ashore to exchange compliments

Rock 'N' Roll In The Bay. Lying side on to the big Pacific rollers coming into the bay, the Royalist presented boarding parties with a task requiring skill and judgment. First aboard, soon after the big cruiser anchored, were the harbourmaster, Captain McKenzie Smart, and the naval liaison officer at Gisborne, Lieut.-Commander Owen Poole. Royalist was taking a good 15-degree list in the swell. The three pictures above were taken in as many seconds as Gisborne's first representatives scrambled aboard.

Below, photographs taken on the starboard side give some indication of the way Royalist was rockin' n' rollin'. Later the ship was moved further out in the bay, but she kept rolling just the same.

A treat was in store for music-lovers when the Royalist's band gave a concert on the promenade at Waikanae. View above was taken from pavilion after sunset. At left are the band's conductor, 2nd Lieut. B. J. Medcalf, L.R.A.M., R.M., with the Mayor, Mr Barker.

Laughing girl ducks as camera flashes

Members of the Victoria League, who took sailors on sightseeing trips, entertain at Waikanae.

One of the most successful functions held was a dance and entertainment arranged by the Waihirere Maori Club, where Captain and Mrs Phipps and members of the crew were the guests of the Maori community, with Hinehou Tureia and Hetekia Te Kani Te Ua as host and hostess.

A right royal time was had by all, including Captain Phipps, whose high regard for the Maori race has won him many friends among them. By the look of the picture at right, he was certainly among friends .

Rock 'n' Roll was popular

Dancers on the floor

The official party: Left to right, Lieut.-Commander Poole and Mrs Poole, Mrs Phipps, Mrs Tureia, Mrs Barker, Captain Phipps (waring piu piu), Mr Barker, and Mr Te Kani Te Ua.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 32 : March 7, 1957

Memorable Visit by Cruiser