HDML – Q1188 Takapu I (P3556)

HDML – Q1188 – Takapu I (P3556)

by N John CURRIN
30 June 202430 June 2024

HMNZS Takapu (Q1188/P3556)
Commissioned 22 May 1943 as Q1188
Survey Equipment: Fitted to Q1188 when rebuilt 1946-50
The USN supervised the construction and then took charge of the finished HDML for allocation to the Allied navy. Both Q1187(Tarapunga) & Q1188(Takapu) were shipped as deck cargo from Vancouver aboard SS Kootenay Park and arrived at Wellington on 30 April 1943. There they were unloaded by floating crane and underwent full commissioning trials.

HDMLQ1188 joined the 125th Motor Launch Flotilla based in Wellington. They then carried out routine patrols in their respective areas through to 1945. As the war came to an end in 1945 the launches were concentrated at Auckland to pay off.
Q1188 had been cannibalised for parts to keep the other HDMLs that were in service so she had to be rebuilt. This was completed in February 1950 and she was commissioned as SML 1188 and was sent to Wellington in March. After arriving in Wellington, she began a survey of Cook Strait. In April she was given the pennant number P3556.

HMNZS Takapu – taken during Queens Visit, Waitangi Day 1963

From then until 1979 both vessels carried out surveys right across the New Zealand coastline mostly by themselves or as a pair. They would also work with HMNZS Lachlan & Monowai.
In November 1979 Takapu arrived at Auckland for paying off and was decommissioned in December.
Renamed: Takapu as Kahawai 1980