HMNZS Manuka

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HMNZS Manuka (cropped).jpg
HMNZS Manuka in the Hauraki gulf
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgFlag of New Zealand.svgNew Zealand
NameManuka
Operator1946-1952 Chatham Islands Fishing Company
Ordered1940
BuilderMason Bros. Engineering Co. Ltd Auckland
Laid down21 October 1940
Launched23 September 1941
Commissioned30 March 1942
Decommissioned1945
In service1946
Out of service1952
Identification Pennant numbers: T19, T401, WN82
FateSunk at moorings in 1952 at the Chatham Islands
General characteristics
Class and type Castle-class minesweeper
Displacement625 tons
Length135 ft (41 m)
Beam23 ft (7.0 m)
PropulsionSingle screw, triple reciprocating engine
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)

HMNZS Manuka 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

Manuka was laid down on 21 October 1940 and was of a composite design, using Kauri wood due to a shortage of steel at the time. [2] Manuka was launched on 23 September 1941, being built by Mason Bros Engineering Co, located at Auckland. [3] Being the third naval ship launched in New Zealand for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Operational history

Manuka was the third of four composite minesweepers constructed for the Royal New Zealand Navy and was commissioned on 30 March 1942. The others were Hinau, Rimu, and Tawhai . Manuka served in the LL Group (later renamed to the 194th Auxiliary Minesweeping Division) [4] which was located at Auckland.

Post-war

In 1946, Manuka was leased to the Chatham Island Fishing Company, under the condition that she would only be used in New Zealand waters, and that she would be given back to the navy in case of an emergency. [5] Manuka would follow fishing fleets, working the coast that was sheltered. [6] At the end of the day the fishing trawlers would discharge their catches onto Manuka, where they would weigh, clean and process the fish. When she was full, she would sail to Wellington, often carrying radios for repair, and mail. [6] When the vessel returned it would carry supplies for the Chatham islanders. [6] As time went by while in service, there would be more and more problems with the boiler on Manuka. to the point where she would need a replacement. [6] Over the course of her career she would also run aground multiple times while fishing. [7] In 1950, Manuka was moored in Port Hutt, acting as a floating freezer, with local trawlers storing their catches onboard. [6] On 4 October 1952, while anchored in Port Hutt, Manuka sunk at her moorings. There was nobody aboard when she sank. [5]

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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. ↑ "THIRD MINESWEEPER". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "CHAPTER 18 — The Minesweeping Flotillas | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  5. 1 2 Hodge, D. W (30 August 1977). "Light restoration brings memories". The Press . p. 31. Retrieved 11 November 2023– via PapersPast.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Makarios, Emmanuel (1996). Nets, Lines and Pots: A history of New Zealand fishing vessels (2nd ed.). New Zealand: IPL Books. ISBN   9780908876013.
  7. ↑ McDougall, R.J. (1989). New Zealand Naval vessels. ISBN   0-477-01399-6.
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