Warships of New Zealand

[kookaburra]

Part 1: World War 1

Britain maintained a naval presence in New Zealand from the time of the Maori Wars, but the evolution of the Royal New Zealand Navy as a separate entity was not completed until a Royal Proclamation of October 1, 1941, in the early years of WW11.

A small nation which, to my mind, has always produced some outstanding individuals in many fields - Rutherford and Hilary being prime examples - its naval role in WW1 was not large.

Only the aging (built 1891) third class cruiser HMS Philomel, 2,575 tons, originally eight 4.7-inch guns, projected a distinctively Kiwi presence in terms of manning and NZ government direction.

Nonetheless, the great Indefatigable Class battle cruiser HMS New Zealand - built as a gift to the Royal Navy as an example to the other Dominions - carried the country's name with great distinction, her record as proud as any RN ship in the Great War.

Unlike HMAS Australia, HMS New Zealand took part in all the North Sea battles, Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, Jutland and second Heligoland. Australia missed Jutland as a result of a collision with
New Zealand not long before, but HMS New Zealand was back in the battle line in time to fire more shells in that greatest of WW1 naval battles than any other British ship, taking one hit and inflicting damage on the enemy.

HMS Philomel took part of New Zealand's seizure of German Samoa, escort ANZAC convoys to the Mediterranean, and bombarded Turkish positions there. She returned to New Zealand as a minesweeper depot ship in 1917, and was later used for training. She survived as a base ship right through WW11 and was not deleted until 1947, her hull finally sunk at sea on August 6, 1949.

Pictures here:

Painting of HMS New Zealand 1915, by Gerald Maurice Burn, obviously at Portsmouth.

HMS New Zealand at Lyttleton, 1913, when Admiral Jellicoe took the ship to show to a proud little nation that had paid for her, and which ultimately 500,000 people
visited. Then a pic showing her back in her name country in 1919. She was broken up in 1922.

Other pics are of HMS Philomel at various stages of her long and varied career.


Most images here an in the next post are from S.D. Waters's 1956 book 'The Royal New Zealand Navy,' and shown on the websites Navy Museum and NZ History Online. Posts to follow those will draw on additional sources.Next: HMS Achilles makes New Zealand's mark.

[kookaburra]

A larger (overlooked) picture below of HMS New Zealand at Lyttleton in 1919, from Ross Gillett's Australian and New Zealand Warships 1914-1945

Between the wars the Royal Navy's New Zealand Division had a total of five cruisers on station at various times; HMS Chatham; HMS Diomede; HMS Dunedin, and finally HMS Achilles and HMS Leander. There were also four sloops and a number of other vessels.

The aerial below (also from Gillett's book) shows Diomede and Dunedin at Auckland Naval dockyard, with sloops HMS Laburnum and HMS Veronica astern, while HMS Philomel is at the jetty prodtruding from Calliope Dock. Sorry for the page crease - I wanted to include the plane aloft.

By the time of Achilles and Leander's arrival in the late 1930s, however, the RN Division was evolving towards a distinctively NZ national feel.

[kookaburra]

Part 2: WW11

Well, the Story of the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939 is well told elsewhere, but HMS Achilles's participation in the main action with HMS Exeter and HMS Ajax was, and remains a great source of pride to New Zealanders.

These images are mainly from the Waters book and websites cited in Post 1#, showing Achilles at various stages of the action, and turret crews taking breaks as the Admiral Gaf Spee was shadowed on her way into Montevideo, and her eventual scuttling.

One pic show's Achilles's Captain W.E. Parry seeming to make pretty light of a leg wound too.

The painting of Achilles in the action - one of many - is by the noted Australian war time naval artist Frank Norton.

[kookaburra]

WW11 Continued

First Pic shows (now) HMNZS Leander with a fairmile launch and Howard aircraft overhead.

HMS/HMNZS Leander also had an outstanding war record, sinking a German raider in the Indian Ocean. In the second pic here she is seen at Calliope Dock after repairs from a torpedo hit, suffered during the Solomons Islands battles in the Pacific (Battle of Kolombangara) , July 13, 1943).

Third is HMNZS Achilles after a Japanese dive bombing hit on her X turret in the Solomons, Jan 6, 1943.

Then general shot of Achilles

Leander in the Solomons, and down at the bows as a submarine passes her coming into Tulagi for temporary repairs from the torpedo strike, in which she lost 28 men. These two pics from Larry Sowinski's The Pacific War: As seen by US Navy photographers during World War 2.

The RNZN operated two cruisers, four sloops, four corvettes, four minesweepers and various other vessels during WW11, over 100 in all, with 60 in commission at the end.

Seventh pic here in the Armed Merchant Cruiser Monowai.


Eight is minesweeper HMNZS Killegray

Nine is corvette, HMNZS Arbutus

Ten iS Achilles again, in Auckland.

Eleven is Arbutus'S sister ship HMNZS Aribis

11,12,+13 are 8000-ton HMNZS Gambia, loaned to RNZN, and it's largest warship, after Leander was taken into repair. The last pic shows her bombarding the Japanese coast towards the end of the war. She returned to the RN in 1946.

Finally, troop ship HMNZS Tohiti

[kookaburra]

Postwar

Pic 1. The famous HMNZS Achilles paid off in New Zealand in 1946, but her services was far from ended. She was eventually sold to the Indian Navy and served on for many years as INS New Delhi.


pic 2. HMNZS Leander's service in the Shakey Isles was also ending.


As HMNZS Gambia also returned to the RN, the RNZN brought into service the first two of three modified Dido Class cruisers, whose heavy anti-aircraft capabilities were intended to complement the aircraft carrier operations of the neighbouring Royal Australian Navy.


In pics 3+4 here are seen HMNZS Bellona, and then her sister ship HMNZS Black Prince, whose crew - having sailed to the Coronation review of 1953, performed sterling rescue work during the Agostoli Earthquake in Greece.

Pics 6,7, and 8 are the third and last of the trio, HMNZS Royalist.

During the Korean conflict, the RNZN had maintained two frigates in service with the United Nations forces, rotating eight in all through Korean war service.

[kookaburra]

Frigate Navy:


Frigates were to become the main ships of the RNZN after Royalist was retired. In the pics 1+2 we see HMNS Taraniki, then HMNZS Canterbury in Sydney in the 1970s, and HMNZS Wellington, some time before she was sunk as a dive vessel in the Bay of Islands. The Loch Class vessels were to be replaced by four Anzac Class frigates built at the Williamstown Naval Dockyard in Melbourne, but - in an all too familiar pattern with NZ defence programs - the order was eventually reduced to two.

In the pics, 5th by Tony Last, we see HMNZS Te Kaha open to the public in Auckland, and from the air. Then her sister ship HMNS Te Mana, and the two ships together at a wharf, and sailing in company with a third vessel.
And that's my take on Warships of New Zealand for the moment.

[herakles]

The story of the NZ armed forces is not well known which is a shame as that country has a magnificent record. Especially considering it's very small population. Much the same could be said about the All Blacks.

It is generally considered they were the finest Allied soldiers of WW1.

Certainly the life of the navy has been short but as is well demonstrated above, a most impressive one.

I don't think there's too much left now. The Clark government ran the armed services down. And didn't win any friends with the policy of banning all nuclear armed ships from their territorial waters.

[kookaburra]

Fine shot of HMNZS Otago:

[kookaburra]

just keeping up an occasional contribution for our cousins across the ditch: this is HMNZS Taranaki paying off in late 1982.

[herakles]

Well, it's a good and informative thread that deserved considerable interest shown in it.

We did have an NZ member once I think. I wonder why he left? :rolleyes:

[CGRET]

Here are some more of the Gambia,

376903769137692

Regards
Charles

[mik43]

Excellent work KB, up to your usual standard and very informative.
Mik

[jacky]

i was onboard hms ark royal in the pacific in 1966 and i believe that hmnzs royalist bore up on us on a lovely calm afternoon flying her paying off pennant. when she left us bearing away from our starboard side it was the most fantastic sight i have ever seen at sea. she dug her stern in and with a puff of smoke she took off lke a speedboat.i always wondered what became of her.

[Robert McDougall]

Nice article about the RNZN, the names of the cruisers are familiar to me as most are used by the RNZN as training divisions. Achilles and Leander were the new entrant training divisions. I was in Black Prince when I began my apprenticeship in 1977. HMS Chatham donated a cup known as the Chatham cup for a soccer competition that lasts to this day. There are also a number sea cadet units using the cruiser names.
Royalist was our last cruiser, when I was in there were a number of the senior rates that had served onboard her. I got the impression that they were proud to have served in her. One of my POME told me that Royalist's gunnery was very accurate able to knock plane doing Mach 1, I know nothing about gunnery so I can't comment on that claim.
Royalist suffered the ignominy of breaking down due to a condenser leak on her last voyage, that may have hastened her trip to the breakers. I wonder if that was because she was a war built ship, considering on thread on U class destroyers and their steel problems
The RNZN seems to have a problem of retaining skilled staff, I don't think thats new it was like that when I was in. That is why an apprenticeship scheme introduced in 1977 greatly increased the number of apprentices, and altered the training to follow civilian trade qualifications. But then also there has been the government of the day capping defense spending, no matter which side of the political spectrum they are.
Am I the Kiwi that Herackles is wondering about where he went? if so I'm still around, though I don't spend much time on the inter web.

[kookaburra]

Interesting insights on RNZN service Robert, with some staffing problems that sound familiar. Herk has been off-line for some weeks.

Here's a new package of pictures of RNZN ships from the '70s.

[kookaburra]

HMS/HMNZS Blackpool, Type 12 frigate, was transferred on loan to the RNZN from 1966 to 1971 while HMNZS Canterbury was built.

[kookaburra]

This is the RNZN's largest contemporary warship, the 9000 tonne Multi Role HMNZS Canterbury 11. She is one of seven ships planned under the Project Protector expansion, and the final response to the country's need to have a heavy lift capacity created by the increasing instability among many of the small island nations of the Pacific that fall within Australia and New Zealand's areas of influence.

Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, under the Maritimes Forces Review the RNZN had to forego a third Anzac Class frigate for the time being to get her - and further, experience with the $130m ship thus far have been far from happy in terms of her sea-keeping qualities.

The problems - which it is stated will take a further $20m to fix - appear to have been in the choice of a design based on a commercial roll-on roll-off vessel conceived for operations within European coastal waters, rather than in her actual construction.


Built by Merwede Shipyards in the Netherlands under contract from Melbourne's Tenix (now BAE) shipyard, she was commissioned in Port Melbourne by Prime Minister Helen Clarke in June 2007.

She'd had initial trials in the North Sea, but in the sort of heavy seas she is also meant to encounter in the Southern Ocean - and New Zealand's interests extend to Antarctica - problems emerged within a month of her commissioning.

Rolling during a storm off Tauranga on her delivery voyage in July she lost one of her Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) off the quarter deck and almost lost another, and it was thought that gear for her landing craft may have been weakened. She was also found to lift her propellors out of the water in heavy seas, posing a long-term threat to the maintenance of her propulsion machinery.

I guess basic design flaws represent something more than the usual teething problems, but one assumes these will eventually be resolved with increased stability measures. But the RNZN appears to be having a stressful time with its newer vessels at present, and is presentingly refusing to accept delivery of two patrol ships. (see 'NZ Unhappy with Oz-built Ships' thread).

The first two pics here show HMNZS Canterbury 11, L421, at the RAN Fleet Entry into Sydney a couple of months ago. She looks impressive, if a little eccentric from some of these angles - but, to me, many warships do these days.

[spruso]

Some photos of the Achilles and Leander.

1. Achilles at Wellington prewar
2. Achilles 1942
3. Leander and USS Chicago at Fiji early 1942

Good to see the NZers getting their own section. I remember in the early 1950s seeing F421 (HMNZS Taupo) in Sydney a few times. (For some reason the Pennant number always stuck in my mind.) Black Prince and Royalist were other fine looking ships that also visited.

Cheers
Bruce

[kookaburra]

Bruce, that's a very fine trio of pics - I've never seen any of those three before. Thanks for posting them K.

[kookaburra]

Some unposted I think, and a couple improvements on the pint-sized scans from my earlier posts. NZ ships have a way of looking good - nice backdrops often, too.:)

[Steamshy]

The last voyage of HMNZ Royalist was indeed a sad end for a fine ship. I also served in her then as one of the Engine Room department and therefore was involved in bringing the disabled ship back into Devonport under her own steam. The massive salt water contamination that occured off the island of Guardalcanal totally disabled steam systems. The Australian Authorities obliged with assistance a tug dispatched from distant Brisbane. The timely arrival of an RN Survey ship, HMS Cook, I believe, took us under temporary tow to safer waters. It was decided that it was possible to restore power and it was a case of "All Hands in" and helpers from other Branches were seen in machinery spaces breaking steam flanges . The lack of Boiler feed water was a serious problem. It was decided to isolate one boiler and use it as a giant evaporator and an engine condenser to aquire distilate. This method was successful and after some time it was possible to cast off the tow from the tug CARLAW and proceed to New Zealand
Then my Stokers and i shut her down for the last time.

[kookaburra]

This fine pic of HMNZS Endeavour [11] and HMNZS Waitako was posted on flickr by Adelaide Archivist: the ships are in Port Adelaide, and part of the gathering of international warships there during Australia's bicentenary in Oct 1988.

[kookaburra]

A good shot of HMNZS Black Prince in Sydney in the early 1950s: HMAS Australia can be seen just beyond at Farm Cove.

[kookaburra]

An unposted shot of ex-HMS/HMNZS Bellona, Modified Dido Class light cruiser, 5950 tons standard, eight 5.25 inch guns, 12 40mm bofors, four three-pounders.

In service with the RNZN 1946-1952 when she was laid up, returned to the RN in 1956, scrapped 1959 in the U.K.

Some discussion on her service career in the posts below.

[kookaburra]

1962: A quite unusual pic, I feel, of ex-HMNZS Black Prince at Mitsui and Co's yard in Japan for scrapping, and an already more stripped down and bowless ex-HMAS Hobart alongside her.

[astraltrader]

A great picture Jeff. VMT.

[kookaburra]

Thanks Terry - the Mitsui yard pic is one of those that cause you to ponder the details for a few minutes, isn't it.

Well, a further selection here of the RNZN ships, including several, HMNZS Southland [ex-HMS Dido], and the Loch Classers Kaniere and Pukaki that I don't think we've had represented in the thread before.

Southland, a modified Rothesay Type 12 with its big Ikara missile installation forward and (looks like) a gun above the bridge, is a ship that for some reason had entirely escaped my notice before.

First pic, however - while it doesn't enlarge from a scan to the sharpest detail - is HMNZS Taranaki leading the main units of the 1970s squadron in a nice ceremonial turn in unison. Here they are:

[astraltrader]

Couldn`t agree more Jeff. I might be wrong but the Japanese Yard looks very much like it was still showing signs of bomb-damage at the time the picture was taken - which after all was only 17 or so years after the end of hostilities.

Lovely picture of Wellington too!

[kookaburra]

Some more general NZ naval scenes: (1) WW11 pier; (2) Lake Class Patrol Boats ; (3) a stirring sight for anyone coming over that railway bridge in Wellingtion in 1953 - I make it Loch Class frigates and one of the Dido Class cruisers behind; and (4) postcard perfect setting for HMNZS Bellona.

[kookaburra]

A colour selection of various postwar RNZN ships. I feel more attached to the Black and White School of ships photographs myself, but some of these are quite nice. EDIT: premature submission, if you'll excuse the expression. Several more to follow.

[kookaburra]

These were intended to go with that last post: starting with HMNZS Canterbury

[astraltrader]

Some really fine pictures there Jeff. Many thanks for showing them.

[kookaburra]

Thanks Terry. Well, going back in time today: the four 1920s-30s RN sloops under NZ govt control, which, with large components of NZ reservists among their crews, joined with the Station cruisers in becoming seed-beds for the development of the RNZN, promulgated on Oct 1, 1941 (I've corrected my off-the-top-the head recent error on that date in the 'Significant NZ Naval Moments' thread, btw, if anyone noticed it).

The first pair here, Veronica and Laburnum, 1,325 tons full load, carried two 4-inch guns, four 3-pounders, two 2-pounders and MGS. Not sure of their class name. Same with the latter pair, Leith and Wellington, which look like Grimsby Class, carried two 4.7 inch guns, one 3-inch, four 3-pounders and 10 MGs.

These old pics not totally sharp - but, love the little van on the dock with HMS Wellington in the last pic. Just can't read what it says on the back door - Shore Patrol or a friendly baker?

[tonclass]

Just another shot of Inverell I have.

[kookaburra]

Thanks Rik. We had a different crop and rather knocked-about version of that pic - yours is much better.

Did you see my note in 'RAN Ship Of The Day' regarding your quest last year for the Ham Class MSs in Australia? Probably all too late, but there are few there in separate posts.


This is a pic (also slightly rough - book end-paper) of HMNZS Southland about to take a fuel line from HMAS Supply. And contemporary Anzac Class, HMNZS Te Mana.

[kookaburra]

Not totally sharp, but a little seen pic of HMS/HMNZS Achilles from the Harold John Watts collection:

[kookaburra]

Folks I have had a PM request from a new NZ forum member asking about the fate of the RNZN tug HMNZS Arataki, whose colour pic (Ross Gillett) was shown up on concrete blocks at Devonport Navy Base c1987 in Post #31, and previously in the water in Post #15.

There have, however, been two RNZN tugboat-tenders named Arataki, and Longeoff's request became challenging because the reference book I was working from here in Australia had the service career/construction details for the second tug confused with an image of the first.

However, trying to unscramble this with pics (which is why I am doing it here, and for your interest), here's what I've been able to ascertain.

HMNZS ARATAKI 1 - the one we've seen in earlier posts - was a 74 tons gr tug constructed for the USN as YLT 627. Work was halted at the end of the war and in 1947 she was sold to the RNZN. Completed by HMNZ dockyard , Devonport, Auckland, the tug was
re-launched in June 1948, and re-named Arataki. She served as dockyard tug at Devonport until decommissioned and sold in 1985 to a private owner. She was sold again in 1999 to Tas Ocean Shipping Pty Ltd, of Moonah, Tasmania, and what happened after this is unclear. But she was seen laid up in the ports of Lyttelton and Bluff, New Zealand, the last owner being a man named Mike Swan who brought the tug to Miller and Tunnage boat builders of Careys Bay from Bluff for rebuilding, which seems to have fallen through.

You can see a photograph of Arataki 1 (which I can't access) laying in a semi-derelict state in Carey Bay, Port Chalmers in May 2009 in this Adobe pdf document. And that's the most recent word I have on her.....


http://www.jvds-marcol.nl/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/nieuws_2009_22.pdf


HMNZS ARATAKI 11 was a 125 tons standard 175 tons FL tug built by A.G. Price Ltd in Auckland as Aorangi for the Timaru Harbour Board, and acquired by the RNZN in 1984 to replace the de-commissioned Arataki 1, and given the same name.

I'm not sure when she was de-commissioned, but Pic 2 (Simon Brown) here shows her in Lyttelton, about to tow the old steam crane Rapaki to Auckland. And finally, she is in definitely non-naval colours in the last shot, taken in Sydney, and posted by ebroh on flickr and picked up by other websites just this year.

There are only pics of Arataki 11 shown here. You have Arataki 1 in the earlier posts, #31 and #15. When trying to separate this pair, Arataki 11 is the tug with the distinctive tall 'witch's hat' funnell cap. Hope this helps, and maybe also interests someone else out there.

Anyway, I love tugboats. K.

[kookaburra]

More nice New Zealand warships pictures. Very nice :)

[kookaburra]

Today's RNZN ship is HMNZS Canterbury, F421, the crew lined up to give three cheers as they pass the Royal Yacht Brittania. I'm not sure who the couple in the foreground are but the man looks like it could be HRH PP or HRH the DoK.

The second Pic is Canterbury visiting Sydney.

[kookaburra]

Another fine RNZN ship. A loyal hail and salute too from HMNZS Waikato. I wonder if that is the Queen and PP in the last post. I just thought the hair was too dark, but maybe it's a photo-effect.

Notice Waikato has the clean Leander Type 12 lines discussed on the RAN section Frigates thread, comparing the early Type 12 River Class and the last pair in that group.

I thought the straight deck line and scuttle-less hull of the Leanders looked a bit bland, but Waikato looks pretty good here.

[astraltrader]

A fine picture of her Jeff, although I have always liked the looks of the Leanders.

[davep]

totally agree she's looking great there, cant agree with you about leanders looking bland though, always thought they were nice looking ships. Maybe thats just my rose tinted glasses as my first ship was Jupiter.

[kookaburra]

Hmmm. I think I'm converted now gents. Anyway, our featured frigate today is HMS Rotoiti in 1949, handsome from an earlier era.

[kookaburra]

The 1435 tons standard Loch Class frigate HMNZS Kaniere lays an egg.

Kaniere was one of five RNZN sister ships to HMNZS Rotoiti of the last post [that is, six ships all told].

Kaniere, F426, was built at Smith's, commissioned on July 7, 1948, became an alongside training ship in 1961 and was sold for scrapping in September 1966.

The six RNZN ships of this class were Kaniere F426, Rotoiti F625, Pukaki F424, Taupo F421, Hawea F422, and Tutira F517.

Hawae, also built by Smiths, was commissioned on Oct 1, 1948, and sold in 1965.

Pukaki and Rotoiti were both built at Henry Robb's , the first being commissioned on September 3, 1948, and sold in 1965, the latter commissioned July 7, 1949, and sold September 1966.

Taupo, built at Swann Hunter commissioned on September 9, 1948 and was sold in 1961.

Tutira, built by Wigham, was commissioned on April 1, 1949 and also sold in 1961.

[kookaburra]

HMNZS Otago in brown waters off Portland Island, 1980. For some strange reason I was thinking this was Portland, Oregon - but look at that landscape. Nope, that's NZ. An odd assortment of dress up on the foredeck.

[kookaburra]

HMNZS Waikato again. If this is not a breathtaking photo of a frigate, then I don't know what is.

[Scurs]

Finest ship I served in was a "Leander Class" (HMS Ajax)_, and our skipper was the best too...........later to become Admiral Sir Gordon Tait, a native of New Zealand. Which accounts for why we got a nice "jolly" touring NZ tail end of 1965.

[davep]

great picture of the waikato:)

[kookaburra]

great picture of the waikato:)

Well said Dave - we could put these three together with it, and hang them on a bally old wall.

[davep]

totally in agreement with you there kookaburra:)

[kookaburra]

Damn, we missed our Kiwis yesterday Dave - we better put up some main kind of postwar ships, or they'll be coming over here to talk to me. I've already tread a fine line on another thread.

Here's HMNZS Royalist, and HMNZS Bellona.

[kookaburra]

Ah, decisions, decisions ...HMNZS Taupo (ex-HMS Loch Shin) in Malta.

Loch Class frigate, 1435 tons standard, 2260 full load, built by Swan Hunter and commissioned RNZN Sept 9, 1948, and like her sister ships served with UN Forces in Korea. Sold 1961.

By the way, just to clear up the former RN identities of the rest of these RNZN Loch Class frigates:

Kaniere - ex-HMS Loch Achray
Hawea - ex-HMS Loch Eck
Pukaki - ex-HMS Loch Achanalt
Tutira - ex-HMS Loch Morlich
Rotoiti - ex-HMS Loch Katrine.

[kookaburra]

Two more, the delivery voyage of the patrol boat HMNZS Taupo - I guess that's the Devonport base in Auckland - and HMNZS Southland in Sydney.

[kookaburra]

A very beautiful, moody early morning shot of HMNZS Waikato berthing in Sydney, kindly sent to us Down Under for passing on by UK Moderator AlanBenn.

Thanks Alan, it's a photograph for keeping. I have been a bit slow passing this beauty on - one of several brain fades recently about transferring e-mail pics.

I ask myself - are these brain fades becoming more frequent?

[kookaburra]

Some further views of HMS/HMNZS Blackpool, the frigate loaned to the RNZN while HMNZS Canterbury was being built in the 1960s.

[mik43]

Blimey!!! That's some mod they've done in pic 4!!!!!!!

Mik

[kookaburra]

HMNZS Achillwes at Aotea Bay, Wellington - another pic by our favourite NZ historical photographer, the late Sydney Charles Smith [1888-1972] from the Alexander Turnbull Library.

[mik43]

another excellent find, well done Jeff

Mik

[CGRET]

I would echo Mik's comments.

Regards
Charles

[billbuntintosser]

Another of the Canterbury.

Bill

[kookaburra]

That is a really oustanding photo of HMNZS Canterbury Bill, and thank you for posting it. K.

[Geoff Brebner]

Hi all,referring back to post#37,Arataki (1) has been berthed at Port Chalmers for a considerable time,last owned by Mike Swan.Arataki (2) was sold to Australia,last heard of in Tasmania.The RNZN have used commercial tugs when required since disposing of Arataki (2) ex Aorangi.
Regards to all,Geoff Brebner. B.T.W.,Arataki 1 is a sister to 1st diving tender Manawanui (1),recently broken up at Paeroa.

[BigE]

There were 2 ships that were commisioned into the RNZN but never ever visited New Zealand. They were the H.M.N.Z.S. HICKLETON and the SANTON. These minesweepers had additional machine guns fitted and were used as patrol caraft during the Indonesian confrontation in the '60s. They also retained their full 'sweeping capability.

[kookaburra]

Hello Dear Old Shakey Isles People:

I've been absent for a while and it is so nice to return and see some new Kiwi names here. Welcome BigE and Geoff Brebner.

Below are two photos of the Royal Navy New Zealand Division's soon-to-be-famous cruiser HMS Achilles visiting Melbourne from Feb 18-26, 1938, during Australia's Sesquicentenary celebrations. The ship astern at Station Pier is USS Louisville, one of four US cruisers that came for the occasion.

The Melbourne tug in the second pic is the Tooronga.

The photos are by the great Melbourne ship photographer Allan C. Green [1878-1954] whose collection is held at the State Library of Victioria [LaTrobe Library]. They appear on a photostream I have been progressively creating on Flickr to mark the Centenary of the RAN in July next year. The RAN Centenary photostream has a thread in the Australian section of the forum here, and there are a number of NZ ships in the Australian maritime setting.

I hope you like these two of Achilles. There are more of this sequence on the photostream which you should find here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/3971522241/

If that appears to take you to the wrong page [the page Nos change as more pics are added] the photo sequence for HMS/HMNZS Achilles is pic Nos 697-701. Cheers, K.

[Dreadnought]

Only just bumped into this excellent thread, so just wanted to tender my congratulations and appreciation. Brilliant informative content and superb collection of pictures. A model thread. Well done KB.

[Don Boyer]

I just got a chance to check your work out too -- absolutely outstanding.

You should be proud. I like seeing your posts and other work as we Americans often overlook our partner down under in the war books and naval histories. Nice to see those ships and learn some new things.

Regards,

[Richard Maskiell]

Hello Dear Old Shakey Isles People:

I've been absent for a while and it is so nice to return and see some new Kiwi names here. Welcome BigE and Geoff Brebner.

Below are two photos of the Royal Navy New Zealand Division's soon-to-be-famous cruiser HMS Achilles visiting Melbourne from Feb 18-26, 1938, during Australia's Sesquicentenary celebrations. The ship astern at Station Pier is USS Louisville, one of four US cruisers that came for the occasion.

The Melbourne tug in the second pic is the Tooronga.

The photos are by the great Melbourne ship photographer Allan C. Green [1878-1954] whose collection is held at the State Library of Victioria [LaTrobe Library]. They appear on a photostream I have been progressively creating on Flickr to mark the Centenary of the RAN in July next year. The RAN Centenary photostream has a thread in the Australian section of the forum here, and there are a number of NZ ships in the Australian maritime setting.

I hope you like these two of Achilles. There are more of this sequence on the photostream which you should find here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/3971522241/

If that appears to take you to the wrong page [the page Nos change as more pics are added] the photo sequence for HMS/HMNZS Achilles is pic Nos 697-701. Cheers, K.

The Achilles was back in Melbourne in her guise as the INS Delhi in 1969 (I also think she also visited her old home in NZ)....as best I can recall she berthed at the exact same berth at Station Pier as in the 1938 photo.

[kookaburra]

The Achilles was back in Melbourne in her guise as the INS Delhi in 1969 (I also think she also visited her old home in NZ)....as best I can recall she berthed at the exact same berth at Station Pier as in the 1938 photo.

Quite right Richard. Below is a photo of INS Delhi [ex HMS/HMNZS Achilles] taken at Station Pier in 1969 by Robert Winduss, a Melbourne ship photographer who kindly sent it along to me after we were having a discussion on some other photos.

I've also previously posted at least one really good photo of her as INS Delhi in Sydney, in my old 'World Warships and Sydney's Bridge' thread, which is now somewhere way back in Photo Galleries. Perhaps the search facility would find it, and some others I think, if you wished to see them. Cheers K.

Oh, thank you for the kind words about the photostream Don and Clive - I've just belatedly seen them.

[Scurs]

Doubtless someone will know which Minesweeper, but this taken with very cheap camera so apologize for poor quality, of New Zealand Minesweeper that we did Light Jackstay Transfer with November 1966. Photos from HMS AJAX.

[Rob Hoole]

Hello Scurs,

Your minesweeper appears to be the Bathurst Class minesweeper HMNZS (ex-HMAS) Kiama. See here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Kiama) on Wikipedia.

Incidentally, there is a good thread about the Bathursts at www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1376 (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1376) and a photo of Kiama's mast features in Post #56.

[chris westwood]

Postwar

Pic 1. The famous HMNZS Achilles paid off in New Zealand in 1946, but her services was far from ended. She was eventually sold to the Indian Navy and served on for many years as INS New Delhi.


pic 2. HMNZS Leander's service in the Shakey Isles was also ending.


As HMNZS Gambia also returned to the RN, the RNZN brought into service the first two of three modified Dido Class cruisers, whose heavy anti-aircraft capabilities were intended to complement the aircraft carrier operations of the neighbouring Royal Australian Navy.


In pics 3+4 here are seen HMNZS Bellona, and then her sister ship HMNZS Black Prince, whose crew - having sailed to the Coronation review of 1953, performed sterling rescue work during the Agostoli Earthquake in Greece.

Pics 6,7, and 8 are the third and last of the trio, HMNZS Royalist.

During the Korean conflict, the RNZN had maintained two frigates in service with the United Nations forces, rotating eight in all through Korean war service.

achilles became the delhi not the new delhi.
I always get an odd feeling seeing pictures of her after her 1944 refit, knowing that my father would have been aboard when the picture was taken. He was a PO in her until his discharge in 1946. It is a pity she or part of her wasn't preserved in NZ

[tjstoneman]

Chris,

Not sure why you say "pity she or part of her wasn't preserved in NZ" - the after turret and director control tower of DELHI (ex-ACHILLES) are mounted outside the NZ Naval Base at Devonport (in the suburbs of Auckland) - see, for example, http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/y-turret-hms-achilles.

Tim

[chris westwood]

Chris,

Not sure why you say "pity she or part of her wasn't preserved in NZ" - the after turret and director control tower of DELHI (ex-ACHILLES) are mounted outside the NZ Naval Base at Devonport (in the suburbs of Auckland) - see, for example, http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/y-turret-hms-achilles.

Tim
WOW!

I'm coming to NZ/Aus in the autumn I will make a pilgrimage

thank you so much.

[Old Salt]

Two more, the delivery voyage of the patrol boat HMNZS Taupo - I guess that's the Devonport base in Auckland - and HMNZS Southland in Sydney.

That HMNZS Taupo was a Lake class inshore patrol vessel of the RNZN. It was commissioned in 1975 with pennant number P3570 and deleted in 1991'

She was built by Brooke Marine in UK and shipped out to Auckland in 1975.
The ship loading photo is not Auckland, I presume it is Lowestoft where the four patrol boats were built ?


Class and type: Lake class inshore patrol vessel
Displacement: 105 tons standard 135 tons full load
Length: 107.8 ft (32.9 m)
Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Draught: 11.1 ft (3.4 m)
Propulsion: 2 x Paxman 12Y JCM diesels 3000 hp, 2 shafts
Speed: 25 knots
Range: 3000 nm (6000 km)
Complement: 21
Sensors and
processing systems: Navigation Radar Racal Decca 916 I Band
Armament: 2 x 12.7mm MGs 1 x 81mm mortar

[culverin]

good day to you all down there
can anybody tell me when the rnzn abolished the tot
i remember on the glamorgan alongside triumph at sembewang in 1972
we had otago outboard of us & my oh my they were popular
still issuing it a year after le fanu abolished the stuff in the rn in 1970
i recall their complement doubling each time of the issue
-please do not tell me it is still issued
that would eliminate any excuse not to join at 1 fell swoooooop
oh - ps i was just a sprog then & still being in nappies
with a sea daddy was banned - not

[culverin]

oops me again
not sure how to edit that last post
that was sembewang singapore 1971
i repeat 1971
must have had a tot too many-maybe

[Old Salt]

good day to you all down there
can anybody tell me when the rnzn abolished the tot
i remember on the glamorgan alongside triumph at sembewang in 1972
we had otago outboard of us & my oh my they were popular
still issuing it a year after le fanu abolished the stuff in the rn in 1970
i recall their complement doubling each time of the issue
-please do not tell me it is still issued
that would eliminate any excuse not to join at 1 fell swoooooop
oh - ps i was just a sprog then & still being in nappies
with a sea daddy was banned - not

Sorry cannot help you there .... but I am sure other members can ?
It was still issued when I left RNZN in 1977. When in company with RN/RAN/USN ships a tot was worth its weight in gold !!

[steve roberts]

Hi again Old Salt/Culverin.I remember well the day the tot went out in the RN.I was on HMS FORTH out in Singapore.We had HMNZS TARANAKI alongside use useing our power whilst doing an AMP.The Forth's decks were full of miserable looking Sailors wandering about wondering what had fallen on them.For some strange reason TARNAKI had tot issue on the quarter deck,and were taking the micky out of us.You can imagine what happened next! There was an avalanch of British matelots pouring over the side,like a water-fall!!! It resulted in the biggest punch-up you have ever seen:eek:The result was that our skipper ordered TARANAKIaway to the dockyard to try and keep the peace:D
Regards Steve.

[Old Salt]

Hi again Old Salt/Culverin.I remember well the day the tot went out in the RN.I was on HMS FORTH out in Singapore.We had HMNZS TARANAKI alongside use useing our power whilst doing an AMP.The Forth's decks were full of miserable looking Sailors wandering about wondering what had fallen on them.For some strange reason TARNAKI had tot issue on the quarter deck,and were taking the micky out of us.You can imagine what happened next! There was an avalanch of British matelots pouring over the side,like a water-fall!!! It resulted in the biggest punch-up you have ever seen:eek:The result was that our skipper ordered TARANAKIaway to the dockyard to try and keep the peace:D
Regards Steve.

Oh dear !! I dare not ask who won the punch-up ??

[steve roberts]

Shall we say it was an honourable draw:D Though those Maoris pack one hell of a punch:eek:
Regards Steve.

[Old Salt]

Shall we say it was an honourable draw:D Though those Maoris pack one hell of a punch:eek:
Regards Steve.

Good knowing they would all be sharing a beer together on a run ashore that night !!:)

[Geoff Brebner]

Found this pic I took at Port Chalmers in Nov 2006 of tug Arataki(1),mentioned earlier in this thread.She was never sold out of NZ,and has remained at Port Chalmers for a considerable time.

[tassie48]

Kookaburra tassie48 here Iam in Hobart and the tug EX HMNZS ARATAKI II message 37 she is tied up behind us in the Prince of Wales Bay still blue with yellow funnel casing she is behind the INCAT fast ferry builder sitting along side do not no much about her other than she is just sitting their can get photos if required tassie48.

[Old Salt]

NZ Four Frigates

This is the only photo I have seen of the RNZN four frigates together.

Two Leanders HMNZS Canterbury and Waikato, followed by the two Type 12s, HMNZS Otago and Taranaki.

Ships are leaving Wellington harbour.

Brian

[Robert McDougall]

Rum, unfortunately was stopped in the late 80's due to the feeling that it was incompatible with needs of a modern navy and the sophisticated equipment being used. Read what you like I think it was a mistake to rid it off the books. Still it makes no odds to me as I was out of the service.
The photo of the four frigates, I was serving in Taranaki then and Wellington is my home. My family came down to see the frigates maneuver around the harbour. The harbour's shape and allowed the frigates to maneuver and exercise within easy sight of the shore.

[Old Salt]

Rum, unfortunately was stopped in the late 80's due to the feeling that it was incompatible with needs of a modern navy and the sophisticated equipment being used. Read what you like I think it was a mistake to rid it off the books. Still it makes no odds to me as I was out of the service.
The photo of the four frigates, I was serving in Taranaki then and Wellington is my home. My family came down to see the frigates maneuver around the harbour. The harbour's shape and allowed the frigates to maneuver and exercise within easy sight of the shore.

Robert

I hope the pic brought back some good memories for you .

Brian

[David_Jumper_Collins]

Searching the net for photos yesterday lead me to the WNSForums. My first act since having my account activated is to try and see if I can upload photos, so here goes...

Hopefully attached are the following.

HMS Alacrity and HMNZS Waikato rafted up at a mooring buoy just off the Sultans Palace in Muscat taken in Oct (?) 1982. (Alacrity's crew enjoyed the Rum and gave our CSB (Courage Ships Brew) beer in return...)

HMNZS Charles Upham (first mention in these forums I believe!) tied up alongside Devonoprt Naval Base.

Two rare photos of HMNZS Charles Upham AT SEA conducting Helo Ops - (using the Wasp Helicopter to re-supply Raoul Island) (1996?)

As I find and scan more photos in I will post them..

[Old Salt]

Hi Jumper !

Good to have you aboard and thanks for the photos !
Especially froim Christchurch !

Brian

[Ragtimer]

My father was a Royal Marine on Achilles and Leander during 1941-1943 and was in X turret on Achilles when it received the bomb strike at Gaudalcanal and aboard Leander when it was torpedoed.He was part of the crew who then took Leander to Boston for repairs and refit and was aboard Ile de France crossing the Atlantic back to UK when it was torpedo attacked by a U Boat,none of the torpedoes exploded.Just got to think he was very lucky.

[Old Salt]

My father was a Royal Marine on Achilles and Leander during 1941-1943 and was in X turret on Achilles when it received the bomb strike at Gaudalcanal and aboard Leander when it was torpedoed.He was part of the crew who then took Leander to Boston for repairs and refit and was aboard Ile de France crossing the Atlantic back to UK when it was torpedo attacked by a U Boat,none of the torpedoes exploded.Just got to think he was very lucky.

He was indeed a very lucky man... and a very brave one too.

Brian

[mike177]

A larger (overlooked) picture below of HMS New Zealand at Lyttleton in 1919, from Ross Gillett's Australian and New Zealand Warships 1914-1945

Between the wars the Royal Navy's New Zealand Division had a total of five cruisers on station at various times; HMS Chatham; HMS Diomede; HMS Dunedin, and finally HMS Achilles and HMS Leander. There were also four sloops and a number of other vessels.

The aerial below (also from Gillett's book) shows Diomede and Dunedin at Auckland Naval dockyard, with sloops HMS Laburnum and HMS Veronica astern, while HMS Philomel is at the jetty prodtruding from Calliope Dock. Sorry for the page crease - I wanted to include the plane aloft.

By the time of Achilles and Leander's arrival in the late 1930s, however, the RN Division was evolving towards a distinctively NZ national feel.

I've just been reading through this interesting thread, and I wondered if any of you guys might be able to help me understand a little more about what my grandfather, Marine George John Baldry, who served aboard HMS Diomede from 16th October 1930 to 22nd July 1933 (I think), might have been up to while 'enjoying' the southern seas.

If anyone has any knowledge of the movements, locations or duties of this ship at this time, I would be most grateful.

I should add that I am researching his life but do not have any knowledge of the jargon or life of naval personnel, so find this quite difficult to really understand what he was doing down there.

I'm including his service record, so you can see when he was with Diomede. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of him or any other information at this time, but perhaps someone out there knows how I might add substance to his life?

[Hugh Williams]

Hi,

A fine and interesting thread, with some great pics included. The Kiwis should be proud of their Navy's record.

Regards,

Hugh Williams.

[Old Salt]

I've just been reading through this interesting thread, and I wondered if any of you guys might be able to help me understand a little more about what my grandfather, Marine George John Baldry, who served aboard HMS Diomede from 16th October 1930 to 22nd July 1933 (I think), might have been up to while 'enjoying' the southern seas.

If anyone has any knowledge of the movements, locations or duties of this ship at this time, I would be most grateful.

I should add that I am researching his life but do not have any knowledge of the jargon or life of naval personnel, so find this quite difficult to really understand what he was doing down there.

I'm including his service record, so you can see when he was with Diomede. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of him or any other information at this time, but perhaps someone out there knows how I might add substance to his life?

Mike. sorry for the delay, I have been in drydock for a couple of weeks and we had a big earthquake to deal with. I will look up my books and get back to you with some info. asap

Brian

[Old Salt]

Hi Mike

So far I have researched some about Diomede;

HMS Diomede




Built: Vickers Ltd, Barrow in Furness, UK Type: ‘D’ class cruiser
Displacement: 4765 std Named after: Mythological Greek noble and king
Length: 472.5 ft/144 m Beam: 46.5 ft/14.2 M Draft: 16.5 ft/5m
Propulsion: 2 shaft geared turbines, oil, and shp 40.000 Speed 29 knots
Complement: 450
Armament: 6 x 6 in. (152 mm), 2 x 3in AA (76 mm) replaced by 3 x 4 in in1929-55, 4 x 5 pdr


New Zealand was an original part of the Royal Navy China Station until 1/1/21 when the New Zealand Station of the Royal Navy was created. HMS Chatham was the first cruiser stationed here, a coal fired ship. By 1924-25 oil had replaced coal as the ideal fuel and two oil fired cruisers HNS Dunedin and HMS Diomede replaced Chatham in 1924/25.

Diomede was stationed in NZ from 21/1/26 to 20/10/35, one of the first oil fired ship to serve here with HMS Dunedin.

The ships travelled to UK on alternate years for refit and crew change and a dockyard was established in Auckland during the 1930s.

[patroclus]

Photos 3 and 5 are DELHI.

[Geoff Brebner]

Sorry Patroclus,that is not Delhi (Achilles). Not Diomede,either. Regards,Geoff

[alanbenn]

Although not a photo of a New Zealand warship, I thought this maybe of interest to our members from the 'otherside'

The photo is of Hms Crane who spent the majority of her career in the 'southern hemisphere' I know she was at Hong Kong, Manus Admiralty Islands, Freemantle etc, etc.

The photo however is an official photograph taken by the New Zealand Navy, I've attached the reverse of the photograph with the official stamp.

Regards
Alan

[tjstoneman]

Photos 3 and 5 of post #94 (both the same photo) show the D class cruiser HMS DELHI (not the Indian navy cruiser DELHI - ex-HMS ACHILLES) after her refit in the USA.
Tim

[Geoff Brebner]

Well done that man :)

[patroclus]

Sorry Patroclus,that is not Delhi (Achilles). Not Diomede,either. Regards,Geoff

The cruiser in photos 3 and 5 is clearly armed with US 5" 38cal guns. The only "D" Class ship so armed was the DELHI.

[astraltrader]

I think we have now reached agreement that they are of Delhi and not Diomede!

[Old Salt]

Oooops !! Well spotted.

Brian

[mike177]

Thank you so much for the info so far. I understand about the earthquake and hope you or your family were not directly affected...I believe Diomede was also involved with the aftermath of quite a major one (coincidence?).

I can see that sometimes it might be a bit difficult to identify ships, so I don't feel quite so bad about my nautical ignorance.

Once again, I do really appreciate all the extra information

Regards

Mike

Hi Mike

So far I have researched some about Diomede;

HMS Diomede




Built: Vickers Ltd, Barrow in Furness, UK Type: ‘D’ class cruiser
Displacement: 4765 std Named after: Mythological Greek noble and king
Length: 472.5 ft/144 m Beam: 46.5 ft/14.2 M Draft: 16.5 ft/5m
Propulsion: 2 shaft geared turbines, oil, and shp 40.000 Speed 29 knots
Complement: 450
Armament: 6 x 6 in. (152 mm), 2 x 3in AA (76 mm) replaced by 3 x 4 in in1929-55, 4 x 5 pdr


New Zealand was an original part of the Royal Navy China Station until 1/1/21 when the New Zealand Station of the Royal Navy was created. HMS Chatham was the first cruiser stationed here, a coal fired ship. By 1924-25 oil had replaced coal as the ideal fuel and two oil fired cruisers HNS Dunedin and HMS Diomede replaced Chatham in 1924/25.

Diomede was stationed in NZ from 21/1/26 to 20/10/35, one of the first oil fired ship to serve here with HMS Dunedin.

The ships travelled to UK on alternate years for refit and crew change and a dockyard was established in Auckland during the 1930s.

[Old Salt]

Mike

Thanks for the nice comments.

HMS Veronica was alongside at Napier when the quake struck ...... half the jetty and all the water disappeared. She was the only contact out of Napier.

A good account from a crew member is on the RNZN Museum site :

http://www.navymuseum.mil.nz/history/time/interwar/the-navy-and-the-napier-earthquake.htm

Diomede was at Auckland and sailed quicktime to Napier with supplies etc. A bad one, 256 people died.

Story here : http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/kids/nzdisasters/napier.asp

Our aftershocks continue three weeks after the big one .....Richter 4.5 yesterday. Our total number of aftershocks is now 1060 ! At least nobody was killed and only 2 injured. Absolute miracle,ours was same size as Haiti where thousands died.

Brian

[kookaburra]

Rather a knocked about image I'm afraid of a not-so-old ship, Anzac Class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, followed by HMNZS Canterbury, leaving Auckland Harbour, 2002, volcano Mt Rangitoto in the distance.

[Scratch]

Three representatives of the modern RNZN are currently visiting Wellington. Several of these photos give an interesting comparison of the relative size of the OPVs Otago and Wellington against the ANZAC frigates.

Ships here are Otago (P148), Te Kaha (F77) and Taupo (P3570), berthed at Queens Wharf.

[astraltrader]

Just got hold of these two postcards which I immediately decided to post for your appreciation.

HMNZS Te Kaha [F77] and Te Mana [F111]. :).

[Mitch Hinde]

Mike

Thanks for the nice comments.

HMS Veronica was alongside at Napier when the quake struck ...... half the jetty and all the water disappeared. She was the only contact out of Napier.

A good account from a crew member is on the RNZN Museum site :

http://www.navymuseum.mil.nz/history/time/interwar/the-navy-and-the-napier-earthquake.htm

Diomede was at Auckland and sailed quicktime to Napier with supplies etc. A bad one, 256 people died.

Story here : http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/kids/nzdisasters/napier.asp

Our aftershocks continue three weeks after the big one .....Richter 4.5 yesterday. Our total number of aftershocks is now 1060 ! At least nobody was killed and only 2 injured. Absolute miracle,ours was same size as Haiti where thousands died.

Brian

Hi Brian
You made the news again today, well, nearly. Reported on CEEFAX this morning that you had experienced an aftershock. They must have missed the other 1059. Nothing on the main news later.
Keep up the good work.

Mitch Hinde

[Scratch]

Re post 106 - OTAGO (P148) leaving Wellington 21 October. (The yellow structure 'on' the flight deck is the wall of the National Museum behind the ship)

[Old Salt]

Just got hold of these two postcards which I immediately decided to post for your appreciation.

HMNZS Te Kaha [F77] and Te Mana [F111]. :).

Thanks Terry, I must try to get the postcards from the Navy.

Brian

[Old Salt]

Hi Scratch

Many thanks indeed for those excellent photos, it is so good to see different classes of ships looking very modern.

It must be good to be in the RNZN today.

Brian

[brian james]

HMNZS Te Kaha takes 'a drink'.....

[Scratch]

Brian
The b/w photo of Otago was taken during post-refit full power trial December 1967.

[brian james]

Pic1....HMNZS Te Kaha bow wave..Pic2...HMNZS Te Kaha...Pic3 HMNZS Wellington bow wave...Pics4 and 5 HMNZS Wellington at the Ross Ice Shelf...

[brian james]

With the past 'troubles'.over... I will repost the original pics of HMNZS Otago F111 UNREP USS Niagara Falls.....

[Scratch]

My note at 113 re Otago relates to the photo in Brian's post at 115

[brian james]

Pic1...HMNZS Te Kaha....Pic2..HMNZS Te Mana....Pic3 and Pic4 HMNZS Otago...Pic5..HMNZS Canterbury.

[Old Salt]

Pic1...HMNZS Te Kaha....Pic2..HMNZS Te Mana....Pic3 and Pic4 HMNZS Otago...Pic5..HMNZS Canterbury.

Brian

Thank you so much for all your brilliant photos of the NZ warships.
You deserve a promotion !

Brian

[brian james]

G'Day Brian......Had one last week....The stripe must have been on 'press studs'....LOL.....Afew pics of Te Kaha one with her RHIB...

[brian james]

Some of the Pics that where 'lost 'last week Pics 1..and Pic2 HMNZS Otago closeup..Pic3 HMNZS Wellington 'iced up'..Pic4 HMNZS Canterbury

[brian james]

2 Pics of HMNZS Endeavour flanked by HMAS Success and RFA Wave Ruler

[Brian Wentzell]

Brian: HMNZS Endeavour has been around for quite some years. Is there a plan to replace her?
Regards,
Brian

[Old Salt]

Hi Brian (There are a lot of us around !)

Endeavour was commissioned 8/4/88 so is now some 23 years old, but still looking good. However the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) requirement for double hulls by 2013 (?) will necessitate a replacement. The Defence White paper Nov. 2010 included the replacement within 5 years .

The Navy has indicated a desire for a more versatile multi role logistics vessel with replenishment and a "joint support" capability and a ship with a degree of commonality with the multi-role ship, HMNZS Canterbury.

With the Defence Budget cuts, what the Navy will get remains to be seen.

Brian

[brian james]

I could be mistaken ..but I thought moves were afoot to have Endeavour retrofitted to Double Hull Standard?If that is possible!!..... maybe they could do something about the 'shortcomings of her flightdeck...Here's a pic...

[brian james]

Pic1 HMNZS Monowai 'The Ghost of the Coast'.... Pic2 and 3 Monowai's Replacement HMNZS Resolution...Pic4 IPV HMNZS Rotoiti....

[Old Salt]

I could be mistaken ..but I thought moves were afoot to have Endeavour retrofitted to Double Hull Standard?If that is possible!!..... maybe they could do something about the 'shortcomings of her flightdeck...Here's a pic...

At present she only carries fuel in the centre tanks in deference to the forthcoming rules. I am sure they have thought about retrofitting ...I cannot see the mammoth cost worth doing to a ship of that age.

Commercial single hull tankers are simply converted to bulk carriers because of the minmal cost.

That flight deck was for a Wasp helo ! Now we have the Big Seasprites it would take a rebuild for a larger helo deck !

Brian

[brian james]

Pic1 HMNZS Te Mana in the Gulf....Pics2 and 3 Closeup IPV HMNZS Taupo...Pic4 Really close to HMNZS Canterbury...

[brian james]

Brian re Endeavour and her flight deck....This is what I was alluding to ..HMAS Sirius has a real 'clip on' Flight Deck.......Whether or not as you said is it worth spending this amount of money on an already aging 'oiler'...Regards Brian

[brian james]

Here is a real 'oldy'........ HMNZS Inverell........

[Old Salt]

Here is a real 'oldy'........ HMNZS Inverell........

Oldy yes, but one of my favourite ships ! Spent two tours of duty in this old lady and always enjoyed it. Whilst everyone else was going gaga over formica frigates we were out at sea protecting the fishes and training up the new sailors.!

Brian

[brian james]

Brian I have a 'newer pic' of the old girl in Sydney...Is that you I espy on the quarterdeck gesticulating?!!

[Old Salt]

Brian I have a 'newer pic' of the old girl in Sydney...Is that you I espy on the quarterdeck gesticulating?!!

Did visit Sydney in 1967 and flew to Inverell NSW for a few days ! They drink beer up there !

Not me aft, I was SSD OOW at that time !

Brian

[brian james]

An 'oldy' Pic out of the collection ..HMNZS Taupo....

[Three Mike Port]

At present she only carries fuel in the centre tanks in deference to the forthcoming rules. I am sure they have thought about retrofitting ...I cannot see the mammoth cost worth doing to a ship of that age.

Commercial single hull tankers are simply converted to bulk carriers because of the minmal cost.

That flight deck was for a Wasp helo ! Now we have the Big Seasprites it would take a rebuild for a larger helo deck !

Brian

Having spent some time on Endeavour a few weeks back, I wouldnt think the RNZN will keep her much longer, although her crew is unsure what sort of replacement will take her place.

I can tell you the navy realises they made a mistake using a commercial build tanker rather than a mil-spec tanker as they have huge problems getting any kind of parts for her nowadays. Talking to her chief engineer, he thinks the main engine on this ship must be the only one of its kind left in existence.
I know since the navy changed to low sulphur diesel last year that they have discovered Endeavours engine will not operate very well on it without creating massive maintenance hassles and she needs to frequent Sydney often to pickup operating fuel for herself that is not low sulphur.

the .50 cal guns fitted to 'endeavour have all been removed and she is only fitted with small arms nowadays, the boys joked they were the most informed in the gulf about pirate activity but had absolutely no weaponry tu defend themselves.

[brian james]

3 Pics of HMNZS Otago F111 leaving Pearl Harbour Circa 1968

[brian james]

I will repost this bow on of HMNZS Te Kaha which I believe was lost in the 'crash'.........

[brian james]

Another oldy...HMNZS Kiama.............

[Old Salt]

Another oldy...HMNZS Kiama.............

I wonder when that photo was taken ? She was probably HMAS at that time ?

Brian

[brian james]

I believe brian it was Circa 1943.......

[brian james]

HMNZS Blackpool 'airing her laundry' in Pearl Harbour 1968......

[brian james]

The last pic I have of HMNZS Blackpool in Pearl Harbour...

[brian james]

Another 'oldy' pic... Loch Class Frigate HMNZS Pukaki F424......

[Don Boyer]

The last pic I have of HMNZS Blackpool in Pearl Harbour...

Moored inboard of one of the ASW-modified Fletchers, either Nicholas, Radford or O'Bannon. I was in Pearl in '68 and remember seeing Blackpool there. I had my own copy of Jane's then, and used to look up the "foreign" vessels in harbor when we pulled in from Yankee Station -- good for a beer bet now and again with shipmates.

[Scratch]

There are some pictures of RNZN ships at Pearl Harbour in May 68 (Otago) and Nov 68 (Blackpool) in this set of photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35033278@N00/sets/72157600023629444/with/3099547026/

A fine collection of the ships we trained with in those years ..

[Old Salt]

Moored inboard of one of the ASW-modified Fletchers, either Nicholas, Radford or O'Bannon. I was in Pearl in '68 and remember seeing Blackpool there. I had my own copy of Jane's then, and used to look up the "foreign" vessels in harbor when we pulled in from Yankee Station -- good for a beer bet now and again with shipmates.

Don

You should have dropped in for a beer or two .... I was there !

Brian

[ludsie]

Hi
This is going to sound like a silly question but I'll ask it anyway

Are the new patrol boats armed if not is there a plan in place to arm them

[Old Salt]

Hi
This is going to sound like a silly question but I'll ask it anyway

Are the new patrol boats armed if not is there a plan in place to arm them

Hi ludsie

Their details are posted in the thread 'Protector Class vessels'.

Brian

[ludsie]

Thanks Brian I will have a look

Trent

[waimea]

Tutira, Taupo, Pukaki, Rotoiti, Kaniere and Bellona were all in Hobart from 14 to 19 November 1949. The only one missing was Hawea in refit at Auckland.

[Old Salt]

Thanks waimea

Any idea why just about the whole RNZN would have been in Hobart ??

Must have been one great run ashore !

Brian

[astraltrader]

Tutira, Taupo, Pukaki, Rotoiti, Kaniere and Bellona were all in Hobart from 14 to 19 November 1949. The only one missing was Hawea in refit at Auckland.


Two more excellent photographs Waimea - thank you very much for sharing them with us. :)

[Stokers Son]

Re Post 23
I am trying to find out which side of the harbour bridge Black Prince is anchored. I live in Sydney and just can not pitcure where she is. At a guess I would say on the western side. Hope some one may be able to help
Regards
John

[BigE]

The pic looks like it is taken near Garden Island dockyard/Naval base. I say the eastern side of the bridge, closet to Sydney Heads

[Stokers Son]

Thank you for your thoughts, however I don't think this is correct as you can not see the entrance to Circular Quay. Some how I think it may be around near Darling Harbour.
Regards
John

[Scratch]

Definitely from the hill on Garden Island. No Opera House at that time, of course. Bennelong Point can be seen beyond Australia. From the angle of the shot, the entrance to Circular Quay would not be obvious.

The sawtooth roof building in the foreground may still be standing? If not, there is one very similar in that location now.

[Stokers Son]

My apologies gentlemen you are correct. The main thing which threw me off was the Island under the bridge, which I mistook for Fort Dennison, once again sorry.
Regards
John

[brian james]

You don't have to apologise mate,..to err is human..........Brian....

[Old Salt]

I have come across a query when writing up HMNZS Tutira.

The ship was launched on 25 January 1944 and on completion was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and commissioned on 17 Jul 1944 as HMCS Loch Morlich (K517).

All references I have found so far as Tutira give her pennant number as F420

However I came across a photo of her in the NZ Archives as 'Tutira' with F517

naval-history.net has the record in 1948 "QUOTE: Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to F517."UNQUOTE

So can anyone tell me why she is recorded everywhere else as F420

Cheers
Brian

[Scratch]

Brian
If you go back to post 149 she is there as F517. I also see a photo of her as F517 on page 92 of the 60th anniversary publication 'Portrait of the RNZN'.

I'll do some research at work and report back.

Cheers

Tony

[Brian Wentzell]

Brian and Tony:

I think the answer to the pennant number change lies in the the history of HMS/HMCS/HMS Loch Morlich herself. The RCN only had her on loan during hostilities. I will dig out my copy of "Frigates of the Royal Canadian Navy" to provide you with a bit of her Canadian history.

In WW2 most of the escorts had "K" prefixed pennant numbers. Following the war the prefix was changed to "F". The actual hull numbers were often changed but not necessarily at the same time. My guess, and it is just that, is that the prefix was changed while in her second period of RN service after return from the RCN and before transfer to your fleet. The hull number was probably changed after transfer to the RNZN.

Brian

[Brian Wentzell]

Brian and Tony:

A quick check of the Haze Grey and Underway web site and the Canadian Navy WW2 listing therein shows HMCS Loch Morlich being commissioned into the RCN on July 17, 1944 and decommissioned on June 20, 1945. She had the pennant number K 517. She is shown as being transferred to the RNZN in 1949 but that would be a transfer from the RN.

HMCS Loch Achanalt had a similar history and became HMNZS Pukaki.

Brian

[Old Salt]

Brian and Tony:

A quick check of the Haze Grey and Underway web site and the Canadian Navy WW2 listing therein shows HMCS Loch Morlich being commissioned into the RCN on July 17, 1944 and decommissioned on June 20, 1945. She had the pennant number K 517. She is shown as being transferred to the RNZN in 1949 but that would be a transfer from the RN.

HMCS Loch Achanalt had a similar history and became HMNZS Pukaki.

Brian

Thanks Brian, but where did the F420 come from ?

Brian

[Brian Wentzell]

Brian: A clue comes from the photo of the three Loch Class in this thread. HMNZN Kaniere, F426 was the former HMS Archay, K426 according to the Loch Class Wikipedia page. So it appears that the RNZN changed the prefix from "K" to "F" before they later renumbered the class in the 400 series.

Brian

[Old Salt]

Brian

Thanks,

Agreed, probably so. But I am trying to find out when/why/ how the F420 appeared

Apart from one National Library NZ photo showing F517, all other references say F420 ?

Brian

[Scratch]

OK. I've come to this conclusion, guys. Tutira was never F420. All the photos and text references I have been able to locate (including the one above) show her as F517. See also the attached picture of her at commissioning in the UK on 1 April 1949.

She is K/F 517 in New Zealand Naval Vessels - R J McDougall, 1989, Portrait of the RNZN - Grant Howard, 1991, and Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946 - Ross Gillett, 1988. The only reference I have seen to F420 being associated with Tutira is the Wikipedia entry here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Loch_Morlich_%28K517%29.

Note that the K designation was dropped after the war and all 'frigate' type/size escorts changed to Pennant F. But - and this is important - the hull number was retained. Thus the other RNZN Lochs kept their RN (or RCN) numbers. So, it follows that Tutira must have as well.

Here's the key to F420 being an error: The RN pennant number K420 belonged to HMS Kenilworth Castle, a Castle Class corvette commissioned Nov 43, paid off 1948 and scrapped June 59. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Kenilworth_Castle_%28K420%29

Trust this resolves the matter.

Tony

[Brian Wentzell]

Tony:

I leave to the New Zealanders to come to a final conclusion on this debate.

The RCN abandoned the entire RN systrem of prefixes at the end of the 1940's. The River Class frigates were renumbered starting with the number 301 (HMCS Antigonish). Twenty-one ships were converted to the flush decked ASW frigates of the Prestonian Class and three were converted to Weather Ships that were ultimately transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard. See the Weather Ship thread for some pictures and discussion. Canadian ships, other than small auxiliaries, usually do not wear a prefix before the hull number, for example YTR 501 is worn by a fire tug.

The current frigates of the Halifax Class have hull numbers starting at 330 (HMCS Halifax) and concluding at 341 (HMCS Ottawa). The type designator for this class is FFH (helicopter carrying frigate) but with their missile systems one wonders if a more suitable designator could be found.

Brian

[Scratch]

Brian
We aren't in any disagreement as regards the post-war numbering of escorts or the RCN adoption of its own sequences. The issue that Brian (Old Salt) raised was the number used for Tutira. As I said, I can find no evidence that 420 was ever actually used for her. Clearly from the time of her commissioning into the RNZN she was F517, (having dropped the K in the general redesignation done by the RN after the war).

The following describes what happened with RN ships post war (from Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983[I] by Leo Marriott):

[I]At the end of WW2 all RN escort vessels were carrying pendant numbers with flags K (frigates and corvettes), L (Hunt class escort destroyers) and U (sloops superior. In 1947/48 all these groups of vessels were reclassified as frigates and given a pendant number with flag F superior. In most cases this merely involved a change of prefix letter while the ship retained its original number. For example the frigate Loch Craggie changed from K609 to F609. Where such a straightfoward change would have resulted in two ships carrying the same number, a multiple of 100 was added or subtracted to one ship's number in order to prevent the double allocation. Thus the Hunt class destroyer Whaddon, previously L45, became F145 while the sloop Wild Goose changed from U45 to F45. Ships of Commonwealth navies were also allocated new numbers with flag F superior.

Tony

[Brian Wentzell]

Tony:

The source you have quoted explains how the RN made its hull number and flag superior changes. You are right about the numbering mystery of Loch Morlich/Tutira.

There is a picture of her post war at p.103 of "Frigates of the Royal Canadian Navy, 1943-1974" by Ken MacPherson and published at St. Catharines,Ontario, Vanwell Publishing Limited, 1989 sporting the number F517 and wearing a Blue Ensign at the bow and a White Ensign at the stern. This is likely a picture of her as HMNZS Tutira. In this black and white photo she appears to be painted light grey overall. She vertically mounts two Carley floats on the port side of the bridge whereas in a wartime RCN photo she has but one mounted horizontally in the same position and one on the main deck further aft near the break. As previously stated she commissioned on July 17, 1944 and decommissioned on June 20, 1945 at Sheerness. She was part of Escort Group 6 based at Londonderry along with Loch Achanalt (later Putaki) and several Canadian River Class frigates. Interestingly, HMCS Grou, a member of that escort group was numbered K518. She was scrapped in Victoria, British Colombia in 1946.

I hope this adds something to the history of Tutira. As the picutres are the copyright of Ken MacPherson, I cannot provide you with a photo by this medium.

Brian

[Old Salt]

Wow, thanks for all the input, Brian and Tony.

After much research I still cannot discover how F420 came into the the story of Tutira. However, all official sources and some others, plus photos give the number as F517. I can only deduce that those sources quoting F420 got that wrong info from wikipedia. How it got on there is anybody's guess. :confused:

Brian

[astraltrader]

Brian - unfortunately this appears to be yet another case of Wiki proving to be less than accurate.

It is for this reason that we have been asking our members not to post links to Wiki anymore. I accept that Wiki does have its uses but in which case it is up to members to find the appropriate Wiki page they wish to read themselves.

[Old Salt]

Brian - unfortunately this appears to be yet another case of Wiki proving to be less than accurate.

It is for this reason that we have been asking our members not to post links to Wiki anymore. I accept that Wiki does have its uses but in which case it is up to members to find the appropriate Wiki page they wish to read themselves.

A case of RO-RO again ! ...'Rubbish In ..... Rubbish out' Strange it was not discovered before.

Brian

[brian james]

2 Pics of HMNZS Otago F111 UNREP Pic1 UNREP Pic2 UNREP breakaway date unknown.....

[brian james]

A nice 'salty' shot of HMNZS Te Mana.......

[harry.gibbon]

2 Pics of HMNZS Otago F111 UNREP Pic1 UNREP Pic2 UNREP breakaway date unknown.....

Brian,

Great pics of Otago and your following pic of Te Mana taking the salt.

Re 2nd pic of Otago,

I think that it is worthy of reposting in Terry's special warship thread especially since the definition is extremely good.



Little h

[brian james]

Thanks for the advice Harry.... Wilco.......Regards Brian........

[brian james]

2 Hi Res Pics of HMNZS Te Kaha......

[Old Salt]

2 Hi Res Pics of HMNZS Te Kaha......

Thanks Brian.... what excellent photos

The NZ Brian

[brian james]

Pic of HMNZS Te Mana closing on HMAS Success for RAS...

[Vegaskip]

Here is a painting I did of some New Zealand ships, for those who don't frequent Jims Ship Paintings thread.
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=105700&d=1318251109
regards Jim

[brian james]

Great pics Jim....dont mean to be 'picky' the spelling is Waikato..Regards Brian..

[Vegaskip]

Thanks I shall amend
Jim

[brian james]

HMNZS Te Kaha........

[ludsie]

Taupo looks great thanks for posting the pictures

Trent

[brian james]

Nice pic of HMNZS Kiwi.....

[brian james]

HMNZS Te Kaha in a bit of a swell in the Tasman....

[Old Salt]

HMNZS Te Kaha in a bit of a swell in the Tasman....

Thanks Brian, what a brilliant photo.

Brian

[brian james]

HMNZS ...Pukaki.....Otago.....Canterbury....Berthed in Lyttleton for Christchurch Earthquake Disaster Relief .........

[harry.gibbon]

Re Te Kaha in a bit of a swell, in post #185

Ye gawds it must have been some swell ... it's clean taken away the radar scanner off the platform atop the foremast:eek:

Compare with pics in posts #176 & 182!!

Little h

[Old Salt]

Harry

Very well spotted ! I have no explanation, but I presume it was off for repair.
I don't know modern radars but she is equipped with:

Air search radar: Raytheon AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ (C/D-band)
Surface search radar: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 TIR (Ericsson Tx/Rx) (G-band)
Navigation: Atlas Elektronik 9600 ARPA (I-band)

It is certainly not air search,the big one on the mainmast.
With the height, I would say it is probably the Surface Search Celsius ?

I bow to those with better knowledge.

Brian

[ludsie]

Nice picture of the pukaku, otago and Canterbury

Thanks for sharing I really like the look of the new opv's

[harry.gibbon]

Harry

Surface search radar: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 TIR (Ericsson Tx/Rx) (G-band)

With the height, I would say it is probably the Surface Search Celsius ?

Brian

Brian,

Your post #189 above; by jove you've got it me-thinks Sir:)

Not sure I have ever seen, or known of, a warship trundling around the oceans surface with one of it's search radar scanners/aerials missing:eek: - disabled for some reason and not rotating, or rotating whilst still having a malfunction etc etc:cool: but missing / gone awol .... never - so it's a first for me:) (The exception of course gunnery/fire control arrays during maintainence at sea - yes)

Just watch pictorial evidence come pouring in now:p;);)

Little h

[brian james]

The mystery deepens gents....Here are a couple of HMNZS Te Kaha which I believe are 'Radar Intactus'...Regards to all and a Happy Christmas...Brian....

[Old Salt]

Harry

Re: Not sure I have ever seen, or known of, a warship trundling around the oceans surface with one of it's search radar scanners/aerials missing - disabled for some reason

I suppose other navies would keep the aerial up and wait for the dockyard to fix it !

Kiwis are well known to fix problems themselves, overseas dockyards charge the earth and put a 50% surcharge on spare parts. ( Not mentioning which navies !)

We saved the NZ taxpayer a fortune up in Singapore on Far East Station.
Incredible what you can get for a pint of squirt ( rum) when the other navies had stopped issuing it !

Brian

[brian james]

Yeah Brian...Now there was an Exchange Rate to die for!!.....A pint of 'Squirt' in Pearl Harbour!!!....We received a 'bakers dozen' of the latest lightweight headsets for the Ops Room which still had WW2 Bakelite ear crushers.......

[harry.gibbon]

Hi Brians x 2,

When I saw the Pic which featured the absent radar aerial, another thought passed through the grey cells whether perhaps some sort of 'guard ship' type emergency had necessitated an unscheduled sailing.

It would be great to read of the real reason.

Little h

[brian james]

Yeah Harry..I have found a couple more pics of her around the same time...Both alongside the wharf and with her Radar Antenna missing!!.....I have heard in the past of rival Ships 'pinching' or trying to 'knock off' the Cock of the Fleet before...but this is going a bit too far I think!!!..Regards Brian...

[harry.gibbon]

Yeah Harry..I have found a couple more pics of her around the same time...Both alongside the wharf and with her Radar Antenna missing!!.....I have heard in the past of rival Ships 'pinching' or trying to 'knock off' the Cock of the Fleet before...but this is going a bit too far I think!!!..Regards Brian...

Brian,

That is some 'cock of the fleet' trophy mate:eek: (see attachment) - puts the Beira Bucket to shame:)

Would appreciate seeing any pics (dated) of her alongside with and then without the radar aerial. Perhaps a press article exists regarding her sea-going evolution?

Little h

[brian james]

Harry..I will dig about and see what I can recover ...Meanwhile a couple of pics of her sister HMNZS Te Mana and Fleet Oiler HMNZS Endeavour...Pic2 is her Transferring her skipper to HMAS Manoora...Regards Brian..

[Old Salt]

Harry..I will dig about and see what I can recover ...Meanwhile a couple of pics of her sister HMNZS Te Mana and Fleet Oiler HMNZS Endeavour...Pic2 is her Transferring her skipper to HMAS Manoora...Regards Brian..

No good asking the Navy just now, they are all on leave for another three weeks !


Brian

[brian james]

Christmas leave??..(That was a 'civvy' luxury!!)..We did receive an 'Air Drop' off the coast of Singapore one Christmas ...we all received a small cardboard box from the 'Sallies',..which contained a small plum cake ...a can of beer...some Anzac biscuits...and a packet of fags...Brilliant...That is one of the reasons I still donate regularly to the Salvation Army....

[harry.gibbon]

Christmas leave??..(That was a 'civvy' luxury!!)..We did receive an 'Air Drop' off the coast of Singapore one Christmas ...we all received a small cardboard box from the 'Sallies',..which contained a small plum cake ...a can of beer...some Anzac biscuits...and a packet of fags...Brilliant...That is one of the reasons I still donate regularly to the Salvation Army....

Brian,

If that pic of Te Kaha was dated around a Christmas period they could've arranged for the sallies to airdrop a prezzie for the radar greenies of;-
1 No. Surface search radar: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 TIR (Ericsson Tx/Rx) (G-band) replacement, mast top, for the use of!!!:):D

Little h

[ludsie]

Hi old salt
Just heard there has been another quake in Christchurch

Hope that you and your family are ok and have not been impacted by the latest quake

[Old Salt]

Hi old salt
Just heard there has been another quake in Christchurch

Hope that you and your family are ok and have not been impacted by the latest quake

Thanks ludsie, most thoughtful. We are fine and no damage to the house,
Just two very scared cats.
I will be posting in the thread "Earthquakes in Christchurch"

Brian

[brian james]

Good to hear that Brian.....Shaken but not stirred!!...

[Stokers Son]

HMNZS Wellington,
New Zealand Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMNZS Wellington, departs from Fleet Base East, Sydney on her maiden voyage.
Rgards
John
Good to hear all is OK Brian

[ludsie]

Hi Brian
My wife's mum and dad are at leeston village, they're fine as is there house

Christmas however...

Anyways glas to hear that you're ok (and the cats)

Ludsie

[Graham McNab]

Frigate Navy:


Frigates were to become the main ships of the RNZN after Royalist was retired. In the pics 1+2 we see HMNS Taraniki, then HMNZS Canterbury in Sydney in the 1970s, and HMNZS Wellington, some time before she was sunk as a dive vessel in the Bay of Islands. The Loch Class vessels were to be replaced by four Anzac Class frigates built at the Williamstown Naval Dockyard in Melbourne, but - in an all too familiar pattern with NZ defence programs - the order was eventually reduced to two.

In the pics, 5th by Tony Last, we see HMNZS Te Kaha open to the public in Auckland, and from the air. Then her sister ship HMNS Te Mana, and the two ships together at a wharf, and sailing in company with a third vessel.
And that's my take on Warships of New Zealand for the moment.

'Afternoon all,
In the last photo, underway between the Te Kaha and the Te Mana with a 05 pendant / hull number could quite possibly be the HMAS Melbourne/F05/VKLP
Happy Christmas. Cheers

[martyn wood]

My grandfather, Richard (Dick) Coleman was a sergeant on Achilles, and was one of the 13 killed at Guadalcanal, we believe he was the sergeant mentioned in HMNZS Achilles book by Jack Harker. I am trying to trace some info about him. He took many photos of River Plate, some were published in War Illustrated.
Martyn Wood


WW11 Continued

First Pic shows (now) HMNZS Leander with a fairmile launch and Howard aircraft overhead.

HMS/HMNZS Leander also had an outstanding war record, sinking a German raider in the Indian Ocean. In the second pic here she is seen at Calliope Dock after repairs from a torpedo hit, suffered during the Solomons Islands battles in the Pacific (Battle of Kolombangara) , July 13, 1943).

Third is HMNZS Achilles after a Japanese dive bombing hit on her X turret in the Solomons, Jan 6, 1943.

Then general shot of Achilles

Leander in the Solomons, and down at the bows as a submarine passes her coming into Tulagi for temporary repairs from the torpedo strike, in which she lost 28 men. These two pics from Larry Sowinski's The Pacific War: As seen by US Navy photographers during World War 2.

The RNZN operated two cruisers, four sloops, four corvettes, four minesweepers and various other vessels during WW11, over 100 in all, with 60 in commission at the end.

Seventh pic here in the Armed Merchant Cruiser Monowai.


Eight is minesweeper HMNZS Killegray

Nine is corvette, HMNZS Arbutus

Ten iS Achilles again, in Auckland.

Eleven is Arbutus'S sister ship HMNZS Aribis

11,12,+13 are 8000-ton HMNZS Gambia, loaned to RNZN, and it's largest warship, after Leander was taken into repair. The last pic shows her bombarding the Japanese coast towards the end of the war. She returned to the RN in 1946.

Finally, troop ship HMNZS Tohiti

[Old Salt]

Hi Martyn

I have responded in the thread 'HMNZS ACHILLES' where you made the same post.

Cheers
Brian

[brian james]

1...Te Mana.....Te Kaha...Canterbury....Endeavour....2..Te Mana and Endeavour...3...Te Mana leaving Devonport Drydock...Regards Brian..

[Old Salt]

1...Te Mana.....Te Kaha...Canterbury....Endeavour....2..Te Mana and Endeavour...3...Te Mana leaving Devonport Drydock...Regards Brian..

Thanks Brian, great photos. I think you have the 'Te 's mixed up though ?

Te Kaha F77
Te Mana F111

Cheers
Brian

[brian james]

I hope I have them in the right order this time Brian!!....P1..HMNZS Endeavour......P2...HMNZS Te Mana USS Abraham Lincoln.....P3..HMNZS Te Mana.....Regards Brian...

[harry.gibbon]

Brian Re #212 - nice photos.

P1 HMNZS Endeavour;

The second wake would suggest that a ship has recently disengaged from a RAS/UNREP with the featured supply vessel and broken off to port.

Little h

[brian james]

Well spotted Harry......Regards Brian,,,