at Dockyard desperately short of fresh food.

The crew of the tall ship Kruzenshtern , the largest ship of her kind in the world, are proudly flying the flag of the new Russian state in an international Columbus anniversary regatta.

But economic upheavals in their homeland have left them short of State cash, and they have had to rely on local goodwill for some vital supplies when stopping en route.

"They're in very good spirits, but they're going through this awful transformation from being part of the Soviet fleet to being part of the Russian fleet, and Russia hasn't got enough money to support them,'' said Cdr.

Tony Steiner of HMS Malabar, who has started a relief effort for the ship.

"They find that the value of their rouble is going down and down and what they can afford in Bermuda is very limited.'' Second officer Sergey Utitsyn, from Estonia, said his crew were not asking for cash donations. "But we do need fresh provisions - fresh fruit and vegetables,'' he said.

"In our country there are a lot of changes. Bermuda is a good place for a rest,'' he added.

Miles supermarket and import-export firm Winter-Cookson were among the first donors to the Russians. Winter-Cookson director Mr. Junior Dunstan organised a delivery of about $750 worth of vegetables, steak, margarine and candy bars.

"We just wanted to do something for them,'' he said. "They were certainly in need of some food. When our truck delivered it they all came down and said it was very welcome.'' The Royal Navy has given the crew free berth, water, transport and access to its social and entertainment facilities. Marine and Ports have provided free ferries and tugs, and Public Transportation have chipped in with free bus tokens so crew can see the Island. But special sight-seeing trips were hit by strike action.

The Kruzenshtern , built in 1926 in what was then East Germany, is a 375 foot sail training ship operated by the Russian ministry of industrial fishing. She is named after a reknowned Russian admiral.

Most of the 150-strong crew are young Russian cadets, but other trainees and passengers are from as far away as Germany, Spain and Australia. She left her home port of Kaliningrad in mid-April and is heading for Columbus celebrations in New York next month.

Cdr. Steiner added: "She's the biggest tall ship in the world and the last of the old-time clippers. She's a national symbol of pride and determination that the Russians should participate in Western things now.'' Other tall ships in Bermuda waters this week included the Amerigo Vespucci , the Bla Marit , the Alexander Von Humboldt , the Rara Avis and the Kruzenshtern's sister ship Mir .

The Kruzenshtern arrived on Sunday. Her previous ports of call include Puerto Rico, the Azores, Portugal and Spain. She is scheduled to leave Bermuda at 10 a.m. on Thursday, and in the meantime is open to anyone who wants to visit her.

Cdr. Steiner said food donors may call HMS Malabar on 234-0234.

STILL IN GOOD SPIRITS -- Crew of the Russian tall ship Kruzenshtern are the grateful recipients of food aid from generous Bermudian residents. Second officer Sergey Utitsyn, standing second from right, says: "Bermuda is a good place for a rest.''