Author Archives: John Currin (JC 's Naval and Military)

HMNZS Gale (T04) was a coastal cargo boat which was requisitioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and converted into a minesweeper. She was the first New Zealand vessel to go into action against Japan.

HMNZS Gale HMNZS Gale – crew picture HMNZS Gale – crew member HMNZS Gale (T04) was a coastal cargo boat which was requisitioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and converted into a minesweeper. She was the first New Zealand vessel to go into action against Japan. Gale was owned by the Canterbury SteamContinue reading “HMNZS Gale (T04) was a coastal cargo boat which was requisitioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and converted into a minesweeper. She was the first New Zealand vessel to go into action against Japan.”

HMNZS Duchess (T07)

HMNZS Duchess, and a very fine ship indeed Duchess pre WW2 at Kawau Island HMNZS DUCHESS – Type: Auxiliary Minesweeper/Examination VesselPennant No.: T07Built: 1897 Mackie & Thompson ScotlandType: Auxiliary Minesweeper/Examination VesselPennant No.: T07Displacement: 314 tons gross, 137 tons netLength: 133.6 ft. /40.7 m Beam: 26 ft./7.9 m Draft: 10.3 ft./3.1 mPropulsion: Steam reciprocating 650 ihp,Continue reading “HMNZS Duchess (T07)”

HMNZS Rata (T03)Converted merchant Ship for use as a minesweeper (no photos of her as a naval ship – have you any?)

HMNZS Rata (Authenticity of photo not guaranteed) was part of the 95th Auxiliary Minesweeping Group – Wellingtonalong with HMNZS Futurist, and Danlayers, HMNZS Kaiwaka and HMNZS Coastguard HMNZS Rata (T03)Converted merchant boat for use as a minesweeper HMNZS Rata (T03)HMNZS Rata (Pennant) was part of the 95th Auxiliary Minesweeping Group – Wellingtonalong with HMNZS Futurist,Continue reading “HMNZS Rata (T03)Converted merchant Ship for use as a minesweeper (no photos of her as a naval ship – have you any?)”

HMNZS Breeze – starboard side view

HMNZS Breeze Heat proved to be one of the toughest challenges for crews in the wartime Pacific. War artist Russell Clarke painted crew members cleaning the boilers on HMNZS Breeze, a similar-sized vessel to the Bird-class ships Moa, Kiwi and Tui. Cargo Ships Breeze 1964 Cargo Ship Breeze HMNZS Breeze (T02/T371) was a coastal cargoContinue reading “HMNZS Breeze – starboard side view”