Category Archives: Naval visitors to New Zealand

HMS New Zealand was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers. Launched in 1911, the ship was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain,[2] and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912. She had been intended for the China Station, but was released by the New Zealand government at the request of the Admiralty for service in British waters.

HMS NEW ZEALAND 1913 During 1913, New Zealand was sent on a ten-month tour of the British Dominions, with an emphasis on a visit to her namesake nation. She was back in British waters at the start of the First World War, and operated as part of the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet, in opposition toContinue reading “HMS New Zealand was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers. Launched in 1911, the ship was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain,[2] and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912. She had been intended for the China Station, but was released by the New Zealand government at the request of the Admiralty for service in British waters.”

SS/HMNZS Thomas Currell (AK1438, AK1, T11) was a Strath-class trawler built for the United Kingdom for use as a fishing trawler. She was purchased by Sanford Ltd in 1921 for use in New Zealand. She would be used as a minesweeper during World War II, and is currently wrecked at Port Hutt, Chatham Island.

Early operational history Originally built as the Enrico, she was built by R Williamson & Son, located at Workington for use as a fishing trawler.[1] In 1921, Sanford was expanding its fleet of fishing vessels, having heard of several trawlers in the United Kingdom, Sanford sent several representatives to look over the vessels.[1] The Enrico seemed to fit the needs of the companyContinue reading “SS/HMNZS Thomas Currell (AK1438, AK1, T11) was a Strath-class trawler built for the United Kingdom for use as a fishing trawler. She was purchased by Sanford Ltd in 1921 for use in New Zealand. She would be used as a minesweeper during World War II, and is currently wrecked at Port Hutt, Chatham Island.”

SS/HMNZS James Cosgrove (AK1295, 6, T10) was a Castle-class trawler built for the United Kingdom for use as a minesweeper. She was purchased by Sanford Ltd in 1920 for use in New Zealand as a fishing trawler, being used as a minesweeper again during World War II. She was scrapped at the Western Viaduct in the 1950s, with her hulk being sunk in 1952.

Photo not verified Thomas Currell (centre / right) and James Cosgrove (left) in Calliope Drydock, Devonport, New Zealand. James Cosgrove laid up at the Viaduct Basin, 1949 Early operational history The James Cosgrove was built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, located in Ayr, for use as a minesweeper, being converted into a fishing trawler after World War I had ended.[1] She was purchased by Sanford in 1920 and sailed toContinue reading “SS/HMNZS James Cosgrove (AK1295, 6, T10) was a Castle-class trawler built for the United Kingdom for use as a minesweeper. She was purchased by Sanford Ltd in 1920 for use in New Zealand as a fishing trawler, being used as a minesweeper again during World War II. She was scrapped at the Western Viaduct in the 1950s, with her hulk being sunk in 1952.”

HMNZS Humphrey – This vessel was built to an Admiralty trawler pattern for the Royal Navy at the end of the First World War as a Strath-class minesweeper.

Ship details:Type: Converted trawler – minesweeper Pennant No.: 8 1939-40, T06 after November 1940 Taken Over: 5 September 1939 by the NZ Division of the Royal Navy Commissioned: 16 October 1939 as HMS Humphrey Decommissioned: 18 April 1944 Displacement: 206 grt Dimensions: 35.3 x 6.7m ON: 143961 Port: Auckland Owner: Sanford Ltd., Auckland Built: 1918Continue reading “HMNZS Humphrey – This vessel was built to an Admiralty trawler pattern for the Royal Navy at the end of the First World War as a Strath-class minesweeper.”

HMNZS Futurist (T09) – Converted trawler.Futurist was built as the German minesweeper, Papenburgh in WW1, surrendered in 1920, sold and in use as a Napier trawler.

The HMNZS Futurist docked at an unidentified wharf. She had been nominated for requisition and was already fitted with basic minesweeping gear whilst still fishing in April 1940. On 20 June 1940, the day after the sinking of the liner Niagara, she was requisitioned and commissioned for permanent service as a minesweeper.,Commissioned 1941Decommissioned 1944Functioned asContinue reading “HMNZS Futurist (T09) – Converted trawler.Futurist was built as the German minesweeper, Papenburgh in WW1, surrendered in 1920, sold and in use as a Napier trawler.”