In late September 1939, soon after the outbreak of the Second World War, the New Zealand cruiser, HMS LEANDER, searched the Auckland Islands, which were possible hiding places for German merchant raiders.  After spending a night in `Sarah's Bosom' on the North East end of the main island, LEANDER steamed along the eastern side of the main island in a gale, heaving-to at one stage, with visibility less than 6 nautical miles between rain squalls.  Nothing suspicious was sighted and the ship returned to Wellington.