The Navy Vol_22_Part2 1960 - Navy League of Australia

floating wasps'nest...ISA flight of high-speed jetsscreams to 30,000 feel from thecarrier deck ...pitchinga magnificent testof pilot, aircraft and the Golden Fleece fuelwhich powers the jet aircraftof the Fleet Air Arm.The same superb quality is availableto you in every gallon of Golden FleeceMotor Spirit and Lubricating Oil,so wherever you drive, lookforthe blue and yellow pump withthe merino ram onGOLDEN FLEECEPETROLEUM PRODUCTS. . proud to b. A«»(r•Han"top.BRITAINRefusesBATHYSCAPEA writer in the British magazine,"Navy", wrote recently:It is clear that Britain is notgoing to plunge headlong intothe exploration of outer space.1 would like to think thatsound judgment and not financialanxiety is the criterion, forthe fantastic possibilities of theuniverse have a mesmerisingeffect upon us.We are inclined to think thatman has discovered more aboutthe planet in which he livesthan he actually has done, forgettingthat two-thirds of theearth's crust lies under the sea— the fringe only having beenseen by man.Such thoughts as these undoubtedlyprompted a Memberto ask the Civil Lord in theHouse of Commons recentlywhy the Admiralty declined anoffer of the Piccard hathyscapewhich probed the deepestknown part of the ocean bed.The Admiralty, said the enquirer.could have the hathyscapefor nothing had it beenprepared to pay running anddevelopment charges.But the hathyscape went tothe American Navy.It looks as though Britainmissed an important opportunityhere. The Navy's HydrographicService has probablycontributed more than anyother service of its kind to theknowledge of the oceans of theworld. It located the greatestdepth in the Pacific, nowreached by Professor Piccard'sson and an American navalofficer.(Continued on page 19)THE NAVYNEW FIRST SEA LORDAdmiral Sir Casper John, K.C.B., hasbeen appointed First Sea Lord. Hereplaces Sir Charles Lambe, whoresigned because of ill-health.Admiral Sir Casper John.K.C.B.. is a son of the famousartist, Augustus John, O.M.He was born in 1903, and is anofficer with exceptional knowledgeof Naval aviation, especiallythe supplv of naval aircraft.Between the two Great Warshe served in several aircraftcarriers. Ill 1941 he became theDirector-General and subsequentlyChief Naval Representativefor Naval Aircraft Developmentand Production atthe Ministry of Aircraft Production.In 1943. he left forWashington to become theHead of the British Naval AirService Representation in theI'nited States. He also servedas Assistant Naval Attache(Air), Washington.In October. 1944. he tookcommand of H.M.S. PRK-TORIA CASTLE, which hadbeen converted for use as anaircraft carrier, and in the fol-Yct we allowed others to diveinto its dark mysteries becauseacceptance of the Piccard offerwould have involved the costof fuel to act as ballast and theexpense of transport to thearea—a small price to pay forthe opportunity to lead in anew and fascinating region fordiscovery. The wealth whichthe sea may one day yield toman may far outweigh the advantagesof space travel.fortunately we arc to begiven a second chance. Thepro-British Piccard family isanxious to build another hathyscapeif Britain wants it. Thisopportunity must not be missed.The sea is the element ofwhich Britain has unrivalledknowledge and experience.Jon.. I960lowing year he commanded thelight fleet carrier, OCEAN,when she was first commissioned.After World War II, he continuedhis association withNaval aviation. In 1948 he wasappointed to command R.N.Air Station, Lossiemouth, Scotland.Then he served in theAdmiralty as Deputy Chief ofNaval Air Equipment, andlater as Director of Air Organisationand Training.He was promoted Rear-Admiralin January, 1951. Onpromotion he was appointed tothe command of the Third AircraftCarrier Squadron.In 1952 he became Chief ofNaval Air Equipment and ChiefNaval Representative at theMinistry of Supply. After areorganisation of the arrangementsbetween the Admiraltyand the Ministry of Supply hebecame Deputy Controller ofAircraft Production at the Ministryof Supply. He was promotedto Vice-Admiral inMarch, 1954. and took up theappointment of Flag OfficerAir (Home) in June, 1955.Admiral John was promotedto his present rank in January,1957—four months before becominga Lord Commissionerof the Admiralty and ViceChief of the Naval Staff. Hegave up that appointment inFebruary.POOLE 6. STEEL LTD.43 STEPHEN STREET, BALMAINNi.W.Telephone: WB2511General Engineers, Boilermakers, Shipbuilders,Dredge BuildersPlans, Specifications and Estimates preparedfor Mining Dredges and Plant of all kinds.Electric Welding and Oxy-acetylene Work.Telegrams:" POOLSTEEL," BALMAIN. NJ.W,