The Wrangell sentinel., 1928-07-12
British Cruiser
 Visits Wrangell
Fl. M. s. Durban in Port Three Days on Voyage
 Around the World
Crew Consisting of 400 Men and 20 Officers Ranks With Finest Type of Mariners
 On All the Seven Seas

II. M. S. Durban. a light cruiser which is touring the world as a unit of the British navy, dropped her an- ehor in front of the Mccormack dock and sent a sack of mail ashore at 7:3O last Friday evening. A short time afterward a deputation of citi- zens went out on G. M. BidwelTs launch Vigilant to extend a welcome. Those in the party were: G. E. Die mart, mayor; Dr. 0. H. Whaley, presi- dent of the Commercial Club; William C. Thomas, U. S. Commissioner; H. D. Campbell, US Deputy Marshal; FEE. Bronson, U. S. Deputy Collector of Customs
 The Durban has been stationed in Asiatic waters for many months, and has visited Hong Kong. Yokohama, Esquimalt, B. C., Kodiak, Valdez, Juneau and Sitka before coming to jWrangell. She is en route to Ser muda, via the west coast of America and the Panama Canal. She is sched- uled to complete her voyage late in September and will remain in Der muda waters for some time.
 The crew of the Durban consists of 400 men and 20 officers. The off cers, headed by Captain Guy Cole ridge. are as follows:
 Commander E. J. Shelley, Lieuten- ant-Commander c. D. Bury, Lieuten- ent-Commander W. G. Agnew, Lieut.. D. A. Parker, Lieut.. J. c. S. Cham berlain, Lieut. j. R. F. Newnham, Lieut.. J. Liddell, Engineer-Comman- der F. H. Jefferson, Lieut.. (E) M. C.. Evans, Captain R. NJ, J. H. c. Wills. nstructor-Lieutenant D. Cahill, B. A, Paymaster- Commander J. T. V. Webster, D. s. O., Surgeon Lieuten- ant-Commander J. F. Haynes, Sub Lieutenant A F. Burnell-Nugent Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant J. s. S. Smith, Midshipman D. V St. J. Nor gan, Midshipman V. c. Begg, Mid shipman w s. Clouston, Midshipman c. w Hawkins, Midshipman P. G. Merriman, Midshipman H. c. D. Mac Lean, Commissioned Gunner W. H. Lake, Commissioned Gunner W. Lew is, MT. c. w Squires, Gunner, MT. H. A. W. Brooks, Warrant Engineer, MT ". D. Sheer, Warrant Shipwright, MT. L. J. Daw, Schoolmaster.
 The Durban was commissioned in 1922 and started on her cruise in 1926. She burns oil and is capable of making a speed of 22 knots per hour. Her battery consists of six 6-inch guns, three 4-inch anti-air- craft guns, and twelve torpedo tubes A new type of torpedo is carried by the cruiser It is known as the gyro- scope torpedo. It is propelled by compressed air, controlled by a gyro- scope and carries 800 pounds of TINT in it's nose The platform near the after mast is a catapult for launch ing airplanes. The Durban carries no airplane, however.
 Tea was served to the officers in the sample room of the Wrangell Ho- tel at 400 o'clock Saturday after noon by the ladies' societies from the three churches. The sample room was tastefully decorated with appro- priate colors and a profusion of love- ly flowers were placed at all the ta- bles. Tn the evening a dance was giv- en at the gymnasium. Practically all of the Durban's crew who could get liberty were dancing. The music was provided by the Durban's orches- tra and it was undoubtedly the most enjoyable affair of the season.
 On Sunday morning the men and officers who were off watch marched in parade to the Episcopal church and attended services by the Rev. H. p. Corser. In the afternoon the ship was open to visitors and many local people availed themselves of the op- portunity to become acquainted with the modern fighting machine of the British navy.
 Men were stationed near the gang way to escort visitors through the ship. Some of the Durban's crew had participated in the World War and all of them had seen active serv- ice while patroling the Chinese coast during the recent trouble in the Ori- ant. One fracas in which the Durban took part resulted in the loss of few men: the exact number of the casual ties were not given. Several humor-
 nnrinnnns were ra1ated concern