INS Delhi, ship culture, and learning cruiser command

Katari continued to follow the careers of ships he had served in and wrote about INS Delhi with particular affection. The cruiser had previously been Achilles, the New Zealand ship remembered for the Battle of the River Plate. Two frigates carried personnel from India to Britain for the transfer, and Katari learned on his return voyage that he would become Delhi's executive officer. He prepared by studying cruiser organization and ship's orders aboard HMS Birmingham, although fuel economy limited practical sea time. The first Indian ship's orders mattered because they would establish routines and culture for the rest of Delhi's service. Katari and the British captain openly acknowledged their lack of experience in their new roles and learned together. Katari recalled that Delhi reached India as an efficient, happy ship.