HMNZS Maimai (T27) (T338) – New Zealand minesweeper from the period of World War II , one of the thirteen built units of type Castle . 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 The unit was withdrawn from service in 1946.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 with HMS Indefatigable in the Marlborough Sounds – 1945 HMNZS Maimai (T27) (T338) HMNZS Maimai as a fishing boat Maimai served in the RNZN for only two years, initially marked with a side mark T27, then changed to T338 [2] . It was written from the fleet list in 1946 and then soldContinue reading “HMNZS Maimai (T27) (T338) – New Zealand minesweeper from the period of World War II , one of the thirteen built units of type Castle . 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 The unit was withdrawn from service in 1946.”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 Awatere (T25) (T397)- New Zealand minesweeper from the period of World War II , one of the thirteen built units of type Castle . The ship was launched on September 26, 1942 at the Patent Slip shipyard in Wellington , and entered the Royal New Zealand Navy in June 1943. The unit was withdrawn from service in 1946. “Awatere” served in the RNZN for only 3 years, initially marked with a side mark T25, then changed to T397 . It was written from the fleet list in 1946 and then sold to the fishing sector.

 Photos below show HMS Vox, a submarine which exercised with the Castle Class sweepers HMNZS Awatere (T 397) Only photo I can find MS Trawler of the Manuka class Navy The Royal New Zealand Navy Type MS Trawler Class Manuka Pennant T 397 Built by Parten Slip (Wellington, New Zealand) Ordered Aug 1941 Laid downContinue reading “HMNZS Awatere (T25) (T397)- New Zealand minesweeper from the period of World War II , one of the thirteen built units of type Castle . The ship was launched on September 26, 1942 at the Patent Slip shipyard in Wellington , and entered the Royal New Zealand Navy in June 1943. The unit was withdrawn from service in 1946. “Awatere” served in the RNZN for only 3 years, initially marked with a side mark T25, then changed to T397 . It was written from the fleet list in 1946 and then sold to the fishing sector.”

During April 1947, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) experienced a series of non-violent mutinies amongst the enlisted sailors of four ships and two shore bases. Over 20% of the RNZN’s enlisted personnel were punished or discharged for their involvement.

HMNZS Philomel  – WW2 HMNZS Hautapu HMNZS Tasman, Lyttelton   HMNZS Arbutus   HMNZS Black Prince in Sydney in the early 1950s: HMAS Australia can be seen just beyond at Farm Cove. The main cause was the poor rates of pay compared to the rest of the New Zealand Defence Force and equivalent civilian wages, exacerbated byContinue reading “During April 1947, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) experienced a series of non-violent mutinies amongst the enlisted sailors of four ships and two shore bases. Over 20% of the RNZN’s enlisted personnel were punished or discharged for their involvement.”

HMNZS Hautapu (T26)(T340) Post includes story of her sinking

  HMNZS Hautapu (T26)(T340) After her rudder was badly damaged by striking an unidentified object off the northern Kaikoura Coast on the night of November 2, 1963, the Hautapu, a 41m. steam trawler, ex minesweeper, was beached in Ward Bay, between Chancet Rocks and Long Point, seven and a half miles south of Cape Campbell.Continue reading “HMNZS Hautapu (T26)(T340) Post includes story of her sinking”

During April 1947, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) experienced a series of non-violent mutinies amongst the enlisted sailors of four ships and two shore bases. Over 20% of the RNZN’s enlisted personnel were punished or discharged for their involvement.

HMNZS Philomel  – WW2 HMNZS Hautapu HMNZS Tasman, Lyttelton   HMNZS Arbutus   HMNZS Black Prince in Sydney in the early 1950s: HMAS Australia can be seen just beyond at Farm Cove. The main cause was the poor rates of pay compared to the rest of the New Zealand Defence Force and equivalent civilian wages, exacerbated byContinue reading “During April 1947, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) experienced a series of non-violent mutinies amongst the enlisted sailors of four ships and two shore bases. Over 20% of the RNZN’s enlisted personnel were punished or discharged for their involvement.”