Category Archives: Minesweepers

Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Waima (T33/T349)

HMNZS Waima was one of eight steel New Zealand-built Castle-class trawlers built and commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II. Background The vessel was ordered after the New Zealand government, facing a requirement for more minesweepers to operate in home waters, chose the Castle-class design because it was simple enough to be built with the country’s limited ship construction facilities at theContinue reading “Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Waima (T33/T349)”

Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Waiho (T34/T403)

Does anyone have photos of the trawler HMNZS Waima during her wartime years? ive contacted the NZ naval museum, and NZ Maritime museum and they have nothing, i only have these 2 photos and shes only in the background behind the Waiho. Her pennant numbers were T33 and T349 and she served in Lyttleton. HMNZSContinue reading “Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Waiho (T34/T403)”

Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Pahau (T28/T351)

HMNZS Pahau underway, 1943 HMNZS Pahau alongside HMNZS Matai Former RNZN ships – Ex HMNZS Matai with HMNZS Pahau under tow from Auckland entering Sydney Harbour Ex HMNZS Pahau in 1946 while she was operating in Sydney under Arthur Murrell – courtesy Sydney Heritage Fleet HMNZS Pahau was one of eight steel New Zealand-built Castle-class trawlers built and commissionedContinue reading “Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Pahau (T28/T351)”

Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Maimai (T27/T338)

HMNZS Maimai (T27) (T338) some pics of the crew – The ship was launched on February 25, 1943 at the Stevenson & Cook shipyard in Dunedin , and entered the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1944. The unit was withdrawn from service in 1946. HMNZS Maimai (T27) (T338) – New Zealand minesweeper from the periodContinue reading “Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Maimai (T27/T338)”