The Maunganui was an oil burner 30 years old with a speed of 15 to 16 knots. Her gross register was 7527 tons, her displacement 11,340 tons, her length 430 feet and breadth 55.6 feet. She was larger than both the Maheno and Marama which were the New Zealand hospital ships of the First World War. Plans were made for someContinue reading “Hospital Ship Maunganui”
Author Archives: Currin Family
US Navy’s Toledo Attack Submarine Completes Engineering Overhaul
The US Navy’s USS Toledo (SSN 769) has returned to service after its eleven-month engineering overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. Refurbishment and modernization efforts, such as mast and periscope installation, as well as engine room tests, were conducted to extend its operational life. Maintenance for the nuclear-powered attack submarine was carried out byContinue reading “US Navy’s Toledo Attack Submarine Completes Engineering Overhaul”
Gisborne WWII hero Ken Gordon reflects on service, honoured by King Charles
By Wynsley Wrigley Central government, local government and health reporter·Gisborne Herald· 24 Apr, 2025 05:00 PM6 mins to read SaveShare Gisborne’s last surviving World War II veteran, sailor Ken Gordon, third from left, is pictured as a seaman boy during the war. Royal New Zealand Navy veteran Ken Gordon has received a letter from King CharlesContinue reading “Gisborne WWII hero Ken Gordon reflects on service, honoured by King Charles”
ANZAC Day feature: Brutal nuclear blast from the past
By Phil Taylor April 25, 2025 Ivan McCabe never forgets the scorching heat and force of the blast of a nuclear bomb’s explosion. The 86-year-old retired accountant served in the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1957 to 1964 and stood on the deck of frigate HMNZS Pukaki along with crewmates with their backs to theContinue reading “ANZAC Day feature: Brutal nuclear blast from the past”
Southland Regional Naval Officer Lieutenant Commander Nigel Finnerty reflects on Anzac Day as he samples shipboard life as a guest aboard HMNZS Canterbury.
From one Canterbury to another 24 April, 2025 I left the navy 24 years ago, and since moving home, I’ve served as the Regional Naval Officer for Southland. Every year, I look forward to getting up early on April 25 to stand at the Invercargill Cenotaph — no matter the weather — alongside 5,000 othersContinue reading “Southland Regional Naval Officer Lieutenant Commander Nigel Finnerty reflects on Anzac Day as he samples shipboard life as a guest aboard HMNZS Canterbury.”
