HMNZS Arabis Flower Class Corvette

[kiwiazza]

Hello to all,

I am a new member of this forum and have enjoyed looking through some threads already. One of my relatives served on board the HMNZS Arabis, he was on board when they sailed her down to New Zealand in I believe April of 1944. He also was aboard when she sailed up to the Solomon Islands in December 0f 44 through to June of 1945. My question is does anyone have any info on the activities of HMNZS Arabis during this time, or where could I go to find out the day to day activity of the ship.

Thanks in advance to any and all replies.

regards
Kiwiazza.

[astraltrader]

While you are waiting a couple of pictures of Arabis.

[Dave Hutson]

Hello Terry,

Every time another Corvette is shown you see the many variations there were during their construction lives and all based around the same hull.

I know from a Model Ship builders view the many variations I see at the many exhibitions.

But what great little ships they were, although those who served on them might not agree.

Dave H

[astraltrader]

I totally agree Dave.

They were wonderful little ships that had to cope with a huge range of jobs assigned to them.

In their own way they were the back-bone of many allied navies during WW2.

[Dave Hutson]

Not only Allied Terry.

At least one - French built "FS Arquebuse" among 6 being built in France and laid down 1939 captured by the Germans. Four were completed and were used by the Germans.

Arquebuse was completed in 1944 commissioned in April and served in the 15th VPF only to be sunk by the RAF in June in Le Havre. Not a very long life for a gallant class of ship.

Perhaps they shouldn't have tried to immulate the experts.

Dave H

[steve roberts]

Hi Terry/Dave H. I could not agree more.Not bad for a little ship who's basic design I believe was taken from a standard design for a Whale Hunter!Turned out in their hundreds in usually standard non-warship designated building yards.There is many a Merchant ship reached safety because of these fine little vessels.Regards Steve.

[astraltrader]

Not only Allied Terry.

At least one - French built "FS Arquebuse" among 6 being built in France and laid down 1939 captured by the Germans. Four were completed and were used by the Germans.

Arquebuse was completed in 1944 commissioned in April and served in the 15th VPF only to be sunk by the RAF in June in Le Havre. Not a very long life for a gallant class of ship.

Perhaps they shouldn't have tried to immulate the experts.

Dave H


Dave I thought the French were our Allies!! ;);)

[Dave Hutson]

Guess they didn't have much choice when overrun by the Bosch.

Apologies to our German members, no offence intended.

Dave H

[Don Boyer]

Even we Americans who are naval history buffs recognize the little Flower class corvettes and their huge contribution to victory in WW II and wide service for years after the war in dozens of countries. Another British shipbuilding piece of art in the days when such things really counted. Small, nimble, deadly.

Regards,

[kookaburra]

This is another of a group of 'lost' pics kindly sent to me for the NZ forum threads several months ago by U.K. Moderator Alan Benn. I'm pretty sure this one has not been seen, and thanks again Alan.

I'm afraid I don't know where there are logs or day to day accounts of the activities of the RNZN small ships ... but here's the website for the New Zealand Navy Museum, and both a search around its prompts, or some enquiries there may help. Good luck.

http://www.navymuseum.mil.nz/

[kiwiazza]

Thank Kookabura for that wonderful picture and the lin to the Royal Naval museum.

regards kiwiazza.

[Jackaroo]

Yes great little ships they were....We all remember HMS Compass Rose


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1UQOcADnaY&feature=related

[Old Salt]

Hello to all,

I am a new member of this forum and have enjoyed looking through some threads already. One of my relatives served on board the HMNZS Arabis, he was on board when they sailed her down to New Zealand in I believe April of 1944. He also was aboard when she sailed up to the Solomon Islands in December 0f 44 through to June of 1945. My question is does anyone have any info on the activities of HMNZS Arabis during this time, or where could I go to find out the day to day activity of the ship.

Thanks in advance to any and all replies.

regards
Kiwiazza.

Hi from Christchurch ! I have some details which I will look up and drop you a line tomorrow night.

Brian

[Old Salt]

Sorry for the delay, my data was for sister ship Arbutus.( senior moment ) The two corvettes only saw the last six months of WW2 in the Solomons and then a couple of years in NZ. There appears to be little mention of Arabis around.
However, I have done my best for you as follows:

HMNZS Arabis (K385)
Built : George Brown & Co. (Greenock, Scotland) Pennant No. K385
Type: Modified ‘Flower’ class corvette (1) Displacement: 980 tons standard
1,350 tons full load
Length: 208 ft Beam: 33 ft Draught: 13 ft
Propulsion: 2 fire tube boilers, one 4-cycle triple-expansion steam engine 2,880 ihp (2,130 kW) Speed: 16 knots
Complement: 85 Range : 3,500 nautical miles at 12 knots
Sensors and processing systems : ASDIC, radar (4x1-20mm)
Armament : 1 x 4inch gun, 8 x 20mm Anti-aircraft guns , ‘Hedgehog’ Depth charge launcher
HMNZS Arabis was laid down on 26 Feb 1943 , launched on 28 October 1943 and commissioned on 22 February 1944 under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Seelye, RNZNVR . She sailed with an Atlantic convoy as far as the Azores Islands. Thence she proceeded by way of Bermuda, the Panama Canal, San Diego, Pearl Harbour, and Suva, arriving at Auckland on 15 August 1944.
After a refit, Arabis sailed for the Solomon Islands , arriving at Renard Sound on 14 December 1944 where she took over as SO, 25th Minesweeper Flotilla, from HMNZS Matai under the command of Commander Peter Phipps RNZN. (2). From 6 April to the beginning of June the Arabis was stationed in the Ellice Islands.
She returned to Auckland on 20 June 1945. Two voyages to Nouméa followed in July 1945 with HMNZS Tui to escort the twelve RNZN Fairmiles back home to Auckland. The 25th Minesweeping Flotilla and the motor-launches had well earned Admiral Halsey's tribute that the ‘alert and courageous actions of the crews of these gallant little ships merit the highest praise.
A shortage of coal had immobilised the minesweepers and the oil-burning corvettes Arabis and Arbutus were temporarily fitted out as minesweepers and performed duties clearing the Cuvier Island channels to Auckland.
Arabis returned to Britain in 1948 under the command of Commander L.P. Bourke RNZN and was there decommissioned, the crews transferring to the Loch Class frigates. The ship reverted to the Royal Navy, was placed in reserve and and broken up for scrap in August 1951.



Notes : (1) Modified ‘Flower Class corvettes were 3ft longer, the foremast was shifted aft of the Bridge and they had a slightly more powerful engine.

(2). (Later Vice Admiral Sir Peter Phipps KBE DSC VRD)


PS I do know the the RNZN Museum has a number of recorded talks by ex- sailors on their war memories. Whether any served on Arabis I do not know.
May be worth you following up.

Best Regar

[JamesD]

Just joined this forum. A little known incident involving her sister ship Arbutus:
Mutiny -

April 1 1946, new pay rates were supposed to have been introduced. However, this didn't happen and approximately 200 men from Philomel, Black Prince and Arbutus, met in Philomel's canteen to "discuss" the matter. The strike lasted until 3 April and was classed as mutiny by Capt. Pugh, RN. The ratings were told to return to work by 1000 3 April to face charges or they would be discharged. 29 showed up and the remaining 171 left the service. Most of those that showed up were posted to Arbutus and sent on a lengthy Pacific Islands cruise.
HMNZS Bellona was in Australia at the time and due to growing unrest onboard, the ship was recalled to NZ. This resulted in further personnel being discharged from the RNZN.

[astraltrader]

Firstly welcome to the forum James.

Yes I have heard of this incident before although I think it might have been 1st April 1947 rather than 1946.

HMNZ Philomel was the shore base part of Devonport, New Zealand. As well as affecting Black Prince and Arbutus the mutiny also spread to Bellona, Hautapu and the other shore base in New Zealand HMNZ Tasman at Lyttleton.

From what I can remember around a fifth of the total sailors in the RNZN were affected and as well as the sort of number that you mentioned were discharged a further 60 or so deserted. This resulted in a manpower shortage that saw as a consequence the cruiser Black Prince withdrawn from service or something.

[JamesD]

Hello Terry and thanks for the welcome. Yes, you are quite correct with the date of the mutiny 1 April 1947. I am having trouble editing. It should have read "April 1 1946, new pay rates were supposed to have been introduced. However, this didn't happen and on April 1 1947, etc...":o
Regards
Jim

[rick kininmonth]

Have recently finished building a static 20" model of Arabis. She was scratch built from plans supplied by "Aye" John Lambert. The Photographic Unit of the RNZN have taken pics of her and the Devonport Navy Museum has helped by allowing me to use their pics of her. Laurie Masson of Thames, Coromandel, who crewed on Arabis also assisted with my project. Unable to upload pics (lack of it knowledge). Rick

[Old Salt]

Hi Rick

No doubt the experts will advise you properly !
In the meantime click on 'Reply' .. put in what you want ....then scroll down the page to 'Manage attachments'... click on that and it will bring up a blank list for you to select your photos.
When you have selected them all.... click on 'Upload'....... when upload completed.... close the list.. then go to 'Preview Post'.. your photos should now be on the page.

Cheers
Brian

[rick kininmonth]

Hi Brian and thank you. Followed instructions "upload failed". Will sit and think awhile. Can upload thru email.Rick