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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 5, 2006 0:01:22 GMT 12
HMNZS www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/20060331-nnsns.htmSee full article above, but the names are: HMNZS Canterbury HMNZS Wellington HMNZS Otago HMNZS Taupo HMNZS Pukaki HMNZS Rotoiti HMNZS Hawea A pity they didn't use imagination to name them after other war heroes like the HMNZS Charles Upham was |
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Post by Bruce on Apr 5, 2006 9:16:23 GMT 12
I think Navy Top Brass had issues naming Navy vessels after Army heroes....
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Post by phil82 on Apr 5, 2006 10:20:33 GMT 12
I am still firmly of the view that the purchase of the vessel which became the 'Charles Upham' was entirely political and had little if any input from the Navy, which was forced into accepting it by Helengrad who, as we all know, knows SFA about Defence issues. None of the seaman branch would have touched such an obviously useless ship with a barge-pole. It was so unstable, it had to carry ballast in the form of containers full of shingle all the time. The new one will at least be 'purpose-built'
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 5, 2006 10:27:24 GMT 12
As the HMNZS Charles Upham VC was commissioned in 1995, and served only till May 1998, it's more a Bolger-Shipley corporation problem, isn't it. Don't forget that mob made a mess of the defence forces too before Helen came along and compounded things.
As for the naming, there were Naval heroes too. And I don't think any Navy personnel would be too upset at recognising any double VC holder and New Zealand hero such as Upham was.
Apart from the "Home Ports" names for the protector lass ships, there have also been "Lakes Class" names before haven't there? I wonder if these lake names have been used before too.
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Post by Bruce on Apr 5, 2006 10:43:57 GMT 12
All the names have been used before - interesting to note in the news article the regional connection of each vessel - which bears little relation to the names! Taupo is connected with Northland, Rotoiti with Hawkes Bay, and Pukaki with Nelson Marborough.
I think the name choices are pretty good myself, it perpetuates traditional names of vessels which gave significant service in the past.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 5, 2006 10:48:26 GMT 12
Those regional connections will probably be more where the RNZN VR units are based that are to get the ships I'd think.
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Post by steve on Jun 29, 2006 2:03:51 GMT 12
latest issue of Navy Today well worth a look...with the progress on HMNZS Canterbury and the information on the 2 Landing Crafts attached ...and provision for 4 choppers....
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