Thomas Currell (AK1438, AK1, T11, AK3, WN10, WN122) Strath-class trawler
This is another of those little ships where I suspect there is probably a lot of local knowledge out there somewhere, but not easy for a distant outsider the access.
Originally constructed as a Strath Class minesweeper for the Royal Navy in 1919, the 204 tons gross trawler Thomas Currell was one of three requisitioned from Sanford Ltd of Auckland in October 1939, and decommissioned in November 1945. I’ll edit in any further details as I find them, but as one of the smaller auxiliaries I think her duties were confined to local waters – not sure at present.
As for her later career, the one trace I find is this second photo posted by Phil NZ on flickr in 2006, which shows her wrecked but still very recognisable at Port Hutt on Chatham Island. There is a passing reference to her having been a ‘freezer,’ presumably a refrigerated vessel in the fishing fleet.
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4073
SS Thomas Currell was a Strath-class trawler built for the United Kingdom for use as a fishing trawler. She was purchased by Sanford Ltd in 1921 for use in New Zealand. She would be used as a minesweeper during World War II, and is currently wrecked at Port Hutt, Chatham Island.
Early operational history
Originally built as the Enrico, she was built by R Williamson & Son, located at Workington for use as a fishing trawler.[1] In 1921, Sanford was expanding its fleet of fishing vessels, having heard of several trawlers in the United Kingdom, Sanford sent several representatives to look over the vessels.[1] The Enrico seemed to fit the needs of the company and was purchased for £5,500 and had her name changed to Thomas Currell.[1][2] Before her voyage to New Zealand, she received a few alterations and was given spare equipment, including a spare propeller and shaft.[1][2] The voyage to Auckland would take three months, arriving in February 1922, and was put into service shortly after her arrival.[1]
World War II
Thomas Currell as a minesweeper during World War II
At the outbreak of World War II, Thomas Currell was on a usual fishing trip, and was unaware of the declaration of war due to a lack of radios on board, and was unable to be contacted.[2][3] She would return to Auckland, one week after war was declared, she discharged her catch and would be shifted to the Devonport Naval Base, as it had been commandeered by the government.[3] Along with the other Sanford trawlers, James Cosgrove and the Humphrey, they were converted for minesweeping duties and fitted with 4-inch (102 mm) guns, depth charges, and minesweeping equipment, also being given a wireless telephone and telegraph equipment.[3] The Thomas Currell was commissioned for the Royal New Zealand Navy on 10 October 1939, serving at Auckland.[3][4][5] On the morning of 19 June 1940, a distress signal was received from the passenger ship RMS Niagara, reporting it had struck a naval mine between Bream Head, and the Moko Hinau Islands and was sinking.[4] The James Cosgrove and Thomas Currell were ordered to sea, steaming at full speed towards her, arriving at 12:50 PM with minesweeping gear being deployed at 2:48 PM.[4] She and the James Cosgrove would discover two contact mines which had been laid recently, both were destroyed by rifle fire.[4] Thomas Currell would be paid off in September 1944, with work to convert her back into a fishing trawler completed by late 1945
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Thomas_Currell
