HMNZS Hinau (T17)

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HMNZSHinau (cropped).jpg
HMNZS Hinau with Auckland central visible in the background.
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgNew Zealand
NameHinau
BuilderSenior Foundry Ltd. Auckland
Launched28 August 1941
Commissioned23 July 1942
Decommissioned1945
Identification Pennant number: T17/T399
FateHulk ran aground for use as a breakwater and shingle bin in 1958
General characteristics
Class and type Castle-class minesweeper
Displacement625 tons
Length136 ft (41 m)
Beam25 ft (7.6 m)
Height13.5 ft (4.1 m)
PropulsionSingle screw, triple reciprocating engine
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Crew25

HMNZS Hinau was one of three composite New Zealand-built Castle-class trawlers commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II.

Contents

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 the time. [1]

Construction

Hinau was laid down in 1940 and was of a composite design, using Kauri wood due to a shortage of steel at the time. [2] Hinau was launched on 28 August 1941 at Senior Foundry Ltd, located at Auckland. [3] Being the first naval ship built in New Zealand for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Hinau on launch day, Rimu is seen on the left. HMNZS Hinau on launch day.png
Hinau on launch day, Rimu is seen on the left.

Hinau would be completed in early 1942, with trials being held in April 1942. [4] [5] It was noted that the steering gear was stiff, needing 2 men for manoeuvring, and her boiler room was full of problems, with the report stating at the end “It is apparent that “HINAU” will not be able to operate effectively as a L.L. sweeper without further modification to her boiler room. [4] [5] With it being noted in another steam trial in June 1942 that the ship would be unworkable in hot weather. [4] [5] The RNZN would try to combat these issues the best they could, though Hinau and her sisters' engine rooms would be hot and uncomfortable for those who worked in their engine & boiler rooms throughout their careers. [5] [6]

Operational history

Hinau was the first of four composite minesweepers constructed for the Royal New Zealand Navy and was commissioned on 23 July 1942. The others were Manuka, Rimu and Tawhai . She served in the LL Group (later renamed to the 194th Auxiliary minesweeping division) [7] which was located at Auckland. but would occasionally visit Wellington and the South Island. She would have refits in March 1943, August 1943, and October 1944. [8] On 18 August 1943, Hinau had a small fire in the forward mess while at Lyttelton, with some damage. [8] [9] After the war she was laid up at Devonport Naval Base. [8] [10]

Post RNZN history

Hinau in 2023 HMNZS Hinau.jpg
Hinau in 2023

In 1954, Hinau along with Rimu , and the tug Toia were sold to F. Appleton of Penrose to be scrapped at the Viaduct Basin. [9] [11] In 1958, the hulk of Hinau would be towed and ran aground for use as a breakwater and shingle bin in Whakatīwai, where she remains today. [9] In 1998, she featured on the cover of the Dave Dobbyn album, The Islander.

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References

  1. ↑ "HMNZS Waiho Castle-Class Minesweeper". National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. 6 October 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "CHAPTER 12 — Minesweeping in New Zealand Waters | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "MINE SWEEPER LAUNCHED". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "B" Class Composite Minesweepers. Archives New Zealand.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Minesweeper Initial Correspondence Hinau and Rimu. Archives New Zealand.
  6. ↑ Makarios, Emmanuel (1996). Nets, Lines and Pots: A history of New Zealand fishing vessels (2nd ed.). New Zealand: IPL Books. ISBN   9780908876013.
  7. ↑ "CHAPTER 18 — The Minesweeping Flotillas | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Minesweeping operations:HMNZS Hinau. Archives New Zealand.
  9. 1 2 3 McDougall, R.J. (1989). New Zealand Naval vessels. GP Books, Informing New Zealanders. ISBN   0-477-01399-6.
  10. ↑ "HMNZS Hinau Minesweeper". National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  11. ↑ "Three Navy Craft Scrapped". The Press. 2 February 1955. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Launch of Hinau, New Zealand National Film Unit footage.
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