Post by navymllad on Jan 31, 2020 19:23:25 GMT 12
I have started the ball rolling for this event. Navy Today (our RNZN Magazine) will run a feature (the one here below) on their (ML) history.
SITREP 20/6/2020 It has come to my attention these dates clash with another event Navy Related (Long Time No Sea aka LTNS) I wish to have notification on the proposed dates?
Easter 2023 or Queens Birthday 2023. Drop me a line or reply here.
77 years of Service to New Zealand (soon to be 80.)
From April 1943 to January 2020
By Ex CPOAHS Thane “Zaps” Zander
In 1943 (and through to 1944) 16 Motor Launches (ML’s) made it to our shores after being built in the USA (all 16 transported by US Navy Liberty Ships). Originally 24 were ordered but the NZ Government reassessed their needs and 16 made it here, with the other 8 going to Australia. They were 22 metres long and 54 tonnes (on arrival) Incidentally, as at 1984, 11 of the original remained in New Zealand and incidentally both UK and Australia now have less ML’s after having a lot more during the war
The 16 ML’s were split between two Flotillas, 124th and 125th. They were painted dark Grey (right until 1950 with some being painted White – 2 Survey vessels), and many given a Black and White livery as Fisheries Protection post 1960)) After WWII they were all laid off (the aforementioned and 3 ML’s sold to private hands in 1946). Between 1946 and 1960 many were in and out of RNZN service.
After 1960 the time when (those previous 3 above) decommissioned and sailed in private hands, there were 13 ML’s remaining around our coast. I have posted a link to my ML Blog at the end of this article for your perusal, all the ML’s stories are there.
Over the period from 1950 to 1984, many ML’s (both ex Fisheries and Survey ML’s) were used for other tasks and were stood down from active service, dispatched to the wreckers or sold privately. Many ML’s during that period were seconded to the RNZNVR and located in the four main ports.
As of 2012 there were still 10 ML’s in private hands and in various states of repair. In 2014 Tarapunga burned to the hull and sunk and Haku sunk at her mooring in 2018. This has left 8 remaining, Mako in Brisbane, Takapu is chartering in Fordland, Parore in refit in Wellington (Whanganui a tara) Koura and Alert both slipped at Kopu Boatyard undergoing refits, Tamure mooring under Greenhithe Bridge Auckland, and both Kuparu and Paea refitted lovingly and moored in Whangarei Harbour. The 77 years so far have been very eventful and busy, but they are getting very old, and need support from anyone who’d like to see them survive. Kuparu and Paea are often seen around Auckland but they are costly to maintain so rely on donations to run them.
Kuparu (Scott Perry owner/skipper.) Give a Little Page: givealittle.co.nz/cause/exnavy
There is a plan in process for an 80th Reunion celebrating the vessels and older crewmen. Easter Weekend 2023 is the target date, and planning is in process. At this stage there are 2 locations – Waitemata Harbour (costly but more folks around) or Whangarei Harbour as 2 ML’s live there and possibly cheaper to organise and short trip for many of the others remaining.
My link to all things ML: rednaz1958.blogspot.com/2016/03/composite-list-of-hdmls-still-active.html
I am very keen to find any new images or stories, especially of the ML’s that met their demise in the 60’s to 80’s (which I have minimal data). I am available at Thane W Zander on Facebook or my email at nics_place@yahoo.com.
HMNZS Haku crossing the Wairoa Bar early 1960’s.
Manga Crew 1962-63
ML’s (VR and Survey) at Russell Wharf for Waitangi Day taskings
*** Since writing Tamure has moved from Greenhithe and joined Alert and Koura at Kopu Yard for refitting. (as at 27/02/2020)***
SITREP 20/6/2020 It has come to my attention these dates clash with another event Navy Related (Long Time No Sea aka LTNS) I wish to have notification on the proposed dates?
Easter 2023 or Queens Birthday 2023. Drop me a line or reply here.
77 years of Service to New Zealand (soon to be 80.)
From April 1943 to January 2020
By Ex CPOAHS Thane “Zaps” Zander
In 1943 (and through to 1944) 16 Motor Launches (ML’s) made it to our shores after being built in the USA (all 16 transported by US Navy Liberty Ships). Originally 24 were ordered but the NZ Government reassessed their needs and 16 made it here, with the other 8 going to Australia. They were 22 metres long and 54 tonnes (on arrival) Incidentally, as at 1984, 11 of the original remained in New Zealand and incidentally both UK and Australia now have less ML’s after having a lot more during the war
The 16 ML’s were split between two Flotillas, 124th and 125th. They were painted dark Grey (right until 1950 with some being painted White – 2 Survey vessels), and many given a Black and White livery as Fisheries Protection post 1960)) After WWII they were all laid off (the aforementioned and 3 ML’s sold to private hands in 1946). Between 1946 and 1960 many were in and out of RNZN service.
After 1960 the time when (those previous 3 above) decommissioned and sailed in private hands, there were 13 ML’s remaining around our coast. I have posted a link to my ML Blog at the end of this article for your perusal, all the ML’s stories are there.
Over the period from 1950 to 1984, many ML’s (both ex Fisheries and Survey ML’s) were used for other tasks and were stood down from active service, dispatched to the wreckers or sold privately. Many ML’s during that period were seconded to the RNZNVR and located in the four main ports.
As of 2012 there were still 10 ML’s in private hands and in various states of repair. In 2014 Tarapunga burned to the hull and sunk and Haku sunk at her mooring in 2018. This has left 8 remaining, Mako in Brisbane, Takapu is chartering in Fordland, Parore in refit in Wellington (Whanganui a tara) Koura and Alert both slipped at Kopu Boatyard undergoing refits, Tamure mooring under Greenhithe Bridge Auckland, and both Kuparu and Paea refitted lovingly and moored in Whangarei Harbour. The 77 years so far have been very eventful and busy, but they are getting very old, and need support from anyone who’d like to see them survive. Kuparu and Paea are often seen around Auckland but they are costly to maintain so rely on donations to run them.
Kuparu (Scott Perry owner/skipper.) Give a Little Page: givealittle.co.nz/cause/exnavy
There is a plan in process for an 80th Reunion celebrating the vessels and older crewmen. Easter Weekend 2023 is the target date, and planning is in process. At this stage there are 2 locations – Waitemata Harbour (costly but more folks around) or Whangarei Harbour as 2 ML’s live there and possibly cheaper to organise and short trip for many of the others remaining.
My link to all things ML: rednaz1958.blogspot.com/2016/03/composite-list-of-hdmls-still-active.html
I am very keen to find any new images or stories, especially of the ML’s that met their demise in the 60’s to 80’s (which I have minimal data). I am available at Thane W Zander on Facebook or my email at nics_place@yahoo.com.
HMNZS Haku crossing the Wairoa Bar early 1960’s.
Manga Crew 1962-63
ML’s (VR and Survey) at Russell Wharf for Waitangi Day taskings
*** Since writing Tamure has moved from Greenhithe and joined Alert and Koura at Kopu Yard for refitting. (as at 27/02/2020)***