The 8000-ton Indian Naval Flagship, INS Delhi, was specially "dressed up" to accommodate a distinguished guest, Sardar patel, Deputy Prime Minister, who was going on a voyage for the first time on board the INS Delhi from Bombay to Cochin. The ‘day and night" cabin on board INS Delhi, usually occupied by the Commanding Officer, was reserved for the Deputy Prime Minister.

The cabin, adjoining the tarpaulin-covered quarter-deck, was equipped with radio and other amenities, and special furniture including easy chairs.

Shortly before embarking, on May 11, Sardar Patel inspected a guard of honour furnished by the personnel of the Indian Naval Barracks at Gateway of India. After reaching the ship in a special launch, he inspected another guard of honour provided by the Officers and men of the INS Delhi.

Incidentally, Sardar Patel’s voyage coincided with combined routine exercises of the Navy and the Air Force in the Arabian Sea.

On the forenoon of May 11, off the coast of Bombay, Sardar Patel witnessed from the quarter-deck of the ship exercises by the Flagship INS Delhi and 1700-ton Destroyer Ranjit, and a bomber and two fighters of the IAF.

The exercises, which lasted three hours, included an "attack" on the Delhi by a bomber and later a torpedo "attack" by the Ranjit on an ‘‘enemy" cruiser represented by the Delhi. The destroyer, the bomber and the two fighters then returned to their base and the cruiser continued its journey to Cochin.

"It was an interesting experience watching the exercises", said Sardar Patel in an interview. He added : "The destroyer, speeding to and away from us, was a majestic sight as she rode the waves with froth and foam. The fighters, the bomber, the torpedo attack and the smoke-screen, all lent a touch of reality to the manoeuvres. I enjoyed every bit of it and parted with the Ranjit with genuine regret."

Commodore G Barnard, Commodore Commanding, the Indian Naval Squadron, expressed his satisfaction at the tenor of the exercises. He said : "The combined exercises between the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force were only recently introduced. The first one was held in Bombay about a month ago. I was very much satisfied with the way the exercises were held, and that shows that we are now at a stage where the Indian Navy can co-operate most successfully with shore based air-craft, both bombers and fighters."

During the exercises, the Ranjit came abreast of the Delhi and sent to Sardar Patel a message "shot" through a carton gun which read: "All on board the ship wish you ‘bon voyage’. Your coming with us has been a great honour to the Indian Navy. We shall be highly honoured if you could favour us with an autographed photograph of yourself."

Sardar Patel immediately responded and sent to the Ranjit an autographed photograph of his with the following message : "Many thanks for your message, which I warmly appreciate. I am proud of the Indian Navy and am sure will be prouder still at the end of my voyage. I wish you all best of luck and feel so glad in sending you my autographed photograph."

Late in the afternoon, Sardar Patel took a stroll round the ship, saw the battery and ship’s galley (kitchen) and spoke to a few Ratings.