Wooden Boat Construction in 1943

[Kuparu]

Yes, love to see you all down at the Naval base on the 24th. As Tony mentioned. loads of finishing touches required, but we are getting there. After all she is 75 years old, and 18 months ago, she was classed as a Write off. And she has just compleated a 500NM trip, so not bad for what was once a pile of rot :-)

[emron]

75 YEARS AGO TODAY
HMNZS MOA SUNK AT TULAGI

To boost morale following their defeat at Guadalcanal, Isoroku Yamamoto decided to make an inspection tour throughout the South Pacific. On the morning of April 7, 1943 at Lakunai field, Rabaul, New Britain Yamamoto personally observed the launch of some of the aircraft that were to form a large aerial offensive. At Tulagi in the Solomon Islands, this Japanese attack force sank destroyer USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), New Zealand corvette HMNZS Moa, and tanker USS Kanawha AO-1, also damaged the oiler that was fueling the New Zealand corvette at the time of the attack USS Tappahannock (AO-43). The Japanese aircraft were engaged by US Marine Corps F4F fighters. During the combat, 12 Zero fighters, 9 D3A dive bombers, and 7 F4F fighters were shot down. 3 D3A dive bombers were lost en route back to their bases.

[Dave Homewood]

Yesterday HDML Kuparu took out 18 Midshipmen. It was the first time in a very long time that so many Officers have been on board an ML.

[TS]

Hi All.


We Plan to be at Bayswater marina next weekend 23 and 24th June for those that want to have a look or help plan a working bee on her.
Possible small trip on Sunday arvo too...

I will update later this week with times, weather etc, Oh and if by chance anybody has anything with HDML Kuparu on it or even anything Navy that they would like to see go to a very good home please bring it along.

This is the only original HDML left she is still very much a work in progress and want to restore her back to a high standard as the only floating Museum at this stage in NZ. So any help would be hugely appreciated by Scott and myself.

Cheers, Tony.

[TS]

Ok for those that might be interested in a bit of Naval History for a change!! HDML KUPARU will be at Bayswater Marina from Friday Night 6.00pm aprox to Sunday Midday on H pier. This is situated in front of the office buildings. You cant miss us we will be the BIG grey thing with P.3563 in black on the bow.

We will also plan a small outing on Sunday Midday, but only if the weather plays ball. So come along and have a nosey if you wish.

[thebrads]

I joined the RNZN in 1997, at the time (I assume it was) Kuparu was sitting on Calliope Wharf under tarps and caught my attention. It also moved around behind NSD at some point and then disappeared, (I presume this is her visible here on Google Earth about 2000) so I'm really pleased she is a living breathing entity again.
Furthermore, i grew up in Paeroa, and spent much time in the 80's and early 90's at the Maritime Park there, and loved exploring Koura. (And Manawanui) I was onboard Koura once with some friends mucking around, and i flicked some switches and a growling noise emanated from the engine room. We panicked and fled thinking we'd started the engines or something like. Pretty sure there was a telling off from museum staff shortly after.
Was really pleased to see her sold off (I presume) and given some TLC and head out not long after, but i understand both vessels are gone now
(Does anyone have actual proof that both Koura and Manawanui have been recycled, other than vague internet posts?)

Please keep Kuparu alive!

[TS]

Thank you very much for your kind words here. You have been the only one to at least reply with some extra history. Kuparu was indeed under covers at the Navy base she was earmarked for the museum but the Navy at that time lost interest. Just like the RNZAF did many years earlier(now look). HDML KOURA is still alive BUT only just she is on the hard just to the left of the Kopu bridge. Somebody really needs to save her but time and money will tell hopefully before she turns to dust...

[TS]

Just like to share this here in the hope we can attract more interest. There are also photo's of Kuparu so you can see how she looks now on the Thread above if you have not been following the journey. TS.

This is written by the owner of HDML Kuparu.


My name is Scott Perry, and I need help! ( in more ways than one) As the many of you that have been following my journey over the last 2 years since getting HDML Kuparu will understand, It has been a mammoth project which helped me get through after losing my wife & soul mate to cancer.
I have done this project as an individual, not a trust, so all expenses and time on me...but yes it is currently still a private boat.

Ex HMNZS Kuparu is a true piece of history that needs to be saved, being WW2 there are to my knowledge only 3 left in the world in original seaworthy condition

I need help in a few ways, mostly financial.

Kuparu needs tens of thousands of dollars put into her to get her up to scratch. I want her to me a mobile museum piece in showroom condition.

She is now structurally sound and mobile, we have done 900nm in her with bringing her around the cape into Auckland, so she has proven herself.

Now she needs the major tidy up, mainly down below. I am capable of doing this, as I have rebuilt her structurally, re wired, re plumbed, sorted engines etc.

But now I am working full time during the week building to pay the Mortgage and household bills ( Normal Life- I accept that) The problem with this is Kuparu will not get finished, as work gets in the way of finishing her. She is on a swing mooring at the moment, as its between $1,500 & $2,400 a month to have her in the marina. She needs 3 months along side a marina or wharf to get things completed. Get materials on and off, helpers and trades people on and off. Even calling in to do an hours work, can be done on a marina. On a swing mooring , half the days gone just getting on and off.

Most of you have seen the other HDML lying around rotting and going to waste...I don't want this to happen to Kuparu.

I had an open weekend this weekend of the 23rd June for helpers and old salts to look through. Had a couple of helpers turn up, and bright work done, which was awesome. But only had a few through, with not even enough to cover the $300 marina fees for the weekend. So quite disappointing.

So this proves I'm better hands on working on the boat, than organising events.

So I need someone to help out with Fundraising, accounts, Event planning to help raise money. Look into grants etc

I need volunteers to help restore her.

Any help Appreciated

So Kuparu has a Give a little page for those that would like to donate givealittle.co.nz/cause/exnavy

Alternatively she has a donation account 12-3139-0047798-00

We have t-shirts , Caps & Mugs too if you would like to support Kuparu that way.

For Private messages or communications
Ph 027 278 2542
e-mail [e-mail]

[TS]

Oh well another piece of our Military history ( Navy ) has slipped away peacefully in the early hours of this morning. HDML HAKU P3565 sank off Bayswater Not sure if it was vandalism yet but the cost to refloat her is $100,000+

She will be raised then scrapped for any useable parts.

A big shame as she was in line to have a new lease of life.

[Dave Homewood]

Oh shit

[TS]

That is one way of putting it....

Anybody got DEEP pockets

Could still be possible to restore... You just need to be a good any person. lol

[thebrads]

[Dave Homewood]

Has this film been mentioned? Fairmiles being built in Auckland

[TS]

This from The HMNZS Nagpona Association Newsletter.

Q1349 - P3565 - HMNZS HAKU - BLACK WATCH
It is with regret that I report that Black Watch sank at her mooring off Bayswater Marina last Monday night. The reason she went down is still unknown but under the direction of the Harbour Master she was refloated on Thursday afternoon. On Friday morning she was towed to a slip in Henderson Creek to be scrapped. The Harbour Master has since made a 'stay of execution' of one week to allow interested parties to put forward a credible plan for her future. I am happy to co-ordinate any offers of assistance, please contact me by email [e-mail] or 021 486 013.

The RNZN sold Q1349 in 1945 and she was purchased by the Jasper Calder Charity Trust. Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park was at one stage chairman of the Trust. She was extensively refitted and reconditioned by a team of volunteers and named Black Watch. During the ownership of the Trust she was berthed in the Tamaki River were a wharf was built for her from the timbers of the old Panmure Bridge. She was used for taking pensioners, orphans and disabled people on excursions and picnics in the Hauraki Gulf. In one season alone she carried over 6,000 passengers. The Navy demanded her back and in 1952 and in 1954 she began work as a 'Tamaki Tram' until Tamaki shifted off Motuihe Island in 1963. On 21/1/1964 she was commissioned as HMNZS Haku and carried out RNZNVR training duties until sold in 1980 when she was again named Black Watch and converted to a ketch rig. She has been on a swing mooring off Bayswater Marina since about 2006.

Name 'Q' Number 'P' Number Last Known location
MAKO Q1183 P3551 Sold in 1976. Last seen in Adelaide about 2 years ago
PAEA Q1184 P3552 Restored to original condition and now in Whangarei
KAHAWAI Q1191 P3553 Burnt at Thames in 1997
MARORO Q1192 P3554 Wrecked in Fiji in 1982
TAMURE Q1193 P3555 On swing mooring at Greenhithe in poor condition
TAKAPU Q1188 P3556A Working as a charter boat in Fiordland
NGAPONA Q1194 P3561 Wrecked in 1957 and deconstructed at Devonport Naval Base
PARORE Q1190 P3562 On a swing mooring at Picton in unknown condition
KUPARU Q1348 P3563 On a swing mooring at Hobsonville in good condition
KOURA Q1350 P3564 On a trailer at Kopu, Thames in poor condition
HAKU Q1349 P3565 Beached in Henderson Creek, about to be demolished.
TARAPUNGA Q1187 P3566B Caught fire and sank, Cook Strait 5/3/14
MANGA Q1185 P3567 Helensville, demolished by owner 2011
Q1186 Rebuilt as Wings Afloat. Went to Sydney then possibly Fiji.
Q1189 Modified and used in deer recovery SI, currently slipped at Thames
Q1351 Used as ferry Aotearoa and Pakatoa. Total loss at Matakohe after a fire.

[thebrads]

Koura, still existant but not looking very healthy.
(Pic taken 1/09/18 by myself)

[TS]

Yeah she is not very healthy at all. She sunk twice at the Paeroa Maritime Museum. The "new" owner has tried to restore her but has no urgency about it. So she will most probably just rot away, unless someone else can get hold of it.

[Dave Homewood]

NAVAL EXERCISES: Two of a flotilla of Fairmile submarine chasers of the Royal New Zealand Navy cruise at speed during operational exercises last week
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME 80, ISSUE 24611, 16 JUNE 1943

[davidd]

Another nice find Dave, have not seen that one before either!
David D

[Dave Homewood]

UPPER: Four of the eight kauri motor tow-boats, named after famous Maoris, ready on the slipways for the launching to-morrow. LOWER: The remaining four tugs being completed in the shipyards. These tow-boats are the first ships to be built in New Zealand for another country's Government.
AUCKLAND SHIPBUILDERS CONSTRUCT TOW-BOATS FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 20 AUGUST 1943

[Dave Homewood]

TOW-BOATS LAUNCHED: Built for the United States Armed Forces' use at the United Ship and Boatbuilders yards in Auckland, these eight motor tow-boats were officially launched on Saturday morning.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 23 AUGUST 1943