HMNZS MANGA

Built: Madden & Lewis, Sausalito, California.
Type: Harbour /Seaward Defence Motor Launch
Pennant No.: Q1185/P3567
Name means: barracouta (fish)
Displacement: 47 tons gross, 54 tons full load
Length: 72 ft,/22 m Beam: 15.8 ft./ 4.8 m Draft: 5.3 ft./ 1.6 m.
Propulsion: 2-shaft Gray diesels, bhp 330
Speed: = 10 knots
Complement: 10
Armament: 1 x 20mm AA, 2 x 0.5in Colt Browning mg, 4 x .303 machine guns, 8 DC

Q1185 was one of 16 Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) to be delivered to the RNZN in 1943. She was commissioned on 6 April 1943 and joined the 124th. ML Flotilla at Auckland. She was used in anti-submarine patrols in the port approaches and the Hauraki Gulf northwards to Cape Brett. On 11 October 1945 she paid off in Auckland and was placed in reserve.

In early 1946 she was converted for army use, fitted with a towing bitt and transferred ‘on loan’ to the Army. She was renamed Bombardier and used by the RNZ Artillery for target towing and general transport duties for over 10 years. In 1948 she was reclassified as a Seaward Defence Motor Launch (SDML) and renumbered P3567. In November 1959 she was transferred back to the RNZN.

In 1960 she was commissioned as HMNZS Manga and joined the fishery squadron where she served until 1967. After a refit she was assigned to Wellington RNZNVR until 1973, and then rejoined the fishery squadron briefly, returning to Wellington in 1974.

In 1977 Manga was restricted to sheltered waters and returned to Auckland in 1977. She was withdrawn from service and dismantled for disposal. She was sold in March 1981 to Takapuna Contractors Ltd., and was later sold again and transported to Helensville for rebuilding.