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Loch Class

Loch Class Frigates – HMNZS Hawea (F422), formerly HMS Loch Eck (K422)

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HMNZS Hawea Ex Loch Eck

HMNZS Hawea (F422), formerly HMS Loch Eck (K422), was one of six Loch-class frigates that served in both the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). The ship was laid down by Smiths Dock on 25 October 1943, launched on 25 April 1944 and commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Loch Eck on 7 November 1944.

Royal Navy service

[edit]

Loch Eck joined the 10th Escort Group in the Western Approaches in December 1944 for anti-submarine patrols and support for convoy escorts. In January 1945 the Group was transferred to Scapa Flow for anti-submarine operations in the Faeroes–Iceland Gap. On 3 February she sank the German submarine U-327 north-west of Shetland with her Squid (mortar) after Hedgehog (mortar) attacks by the frigates Bayntun and Braithwaite. On 14 February she took part in the sinking of U-989, and on the 17 February of U-1278 in the same area.[1]

In March the Group was redeployed in the English Channel and South-Western Approaches as “Force 38”. In April Loch Eck carried out trials of new sonobuoy submarine detection equipment. On 23 May the ship was attached to Rosyth Command to support “Operation Doomsday“, the reoccupation of Norway. On 1 June she escorted U-2529 from Kristiansund to Loch Eriboll as part of “Operation Deadlight“, returning to Norway on 6 June as part of the escort for Convoy RN1 taking King Haakon VII of Norway to Oslo.[1]

After a refit at the Charles Hill & Sons shipyard in Bristol in June and July, she sailed for the Indian Ocean in August, to join the East Indies Escort Force. There she carried out Guard ship and military support duties, as well as the repatriation of military and civilian personnel. She was also present at the formal Japanese surrender of Bali in February 1946 and at Lombok in March. She sailed for home in May, but her return to the UK was delayed after a collision in Colombo with a Navy cutter. She returned to Devonport to decommission on 13 August 1946.[1]

Transfer to New Zealand

[edit]

Loch Ech was one of six Loch-class frigates sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy. Renamed HMNZS Hawea, she was acquired on 7 September 1948, and commissioned on 1 October 1948.[2]

Since the Admiralty named the Loch-class ships after Scottish lakes, the six in New Zealand service were renamed after New Zealand lakes. Lake Hāwea is a glacial lake located in the Central Otago region of New Zealand. The name is Māori and is thought to refer to a local tribe although the exact meaning is uncertain. Hawea was the first of three ships with this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Royal New Zealand Navy service

[edit]

After commissioning at Devonport Hawea sailed for the Mediterranean with three other Loch-class frigates. After exercises with the Mediterranean Fleet in November, she sailed for Auckland, via the Suez Canal and Indian Ocean, arriving in January 1949 to join the 11th Frigate Flotilla.[1]

On 22 March 1949 Hawea participated in sinking the coal hulk Occident in Palliser Bay.

In 1949 Hawea carried out patrols in the Pacific, visiting Suva, Fiji and Samoa. After a refit from October to February 1950 she was transferred on loan to 2nd Frigate Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet, with her sister ship Taupo joining the flotilla at Malta in May for Fleet exercises and cruises. She returned to Auckland in November.[1]

Korean War

[edit]

The Korean War started on 25 June 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the 38°N parallel and invaded South Korea. The New Zealand Government decided to maintain two frigates in support of a United Nations Naval Force assisting South Korea. Hawea‘s sister ships, Pukaki and Tutira, were hurriedly prepared for war service and sailed for Sasebo, their main base in Japan, on 3 July 1950. They did escort and patrol services, often working with Commonwealth, South Korean and other Allied ships, and in support of amphibious landings. The frigates were rotated in turn with the other four Loch frigates.

In February 1951 Hawea sailed to Kure, Japan, to join the United Nations Task Force. On 18 May she shelled a gun position on the coast, the first time that an RNZN ship fired on the enemy. From June to December she provided navigational data for bombardments in the Han River estuary, shelling rail traffic and maintaining a blockade.[1] On 15 September 1951, Hawea swamped a 7.6-metre (25 ft) motor boat which sank in the Han River estuary while navigating swift tidal channels to reach a bombardment position.

In February 1952 she was relieved by Rotoiti, returning to Auckland on 8 March. She had spent 272 days at sea, steamed 55,000 miles, and fired 21,000 rounds of ammunition. After refit and maintenance at Auckland from April to June she returned to Korea in October for further operations. After the Armistice Agreement of July 1953 she returned to Auckland, arriving there in August.[1]

Later service

[edit]

After a refit she returned to the 11th Frigate Flotilla in February 1954 for patrols and port visits. In December 1956 she and Pukaki escorted the supply ship Endeavour in a passage to the Southern Ocean, sailing from Bluff to the edge of the pack ice.[1]

Decommissioning and fate

[edit]

On 15 February 1957 Hawea was decommissioned and put into reserve. The ship was used as a Harbour Training ship in Auckland until sold for breaking up in September 1965.[1] On 15 November 1965 Hawea and sister ship Pukaki were towed by the tug Atlas to a breaker’s yard in Hong Kong.

More info here – https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-15Fr-Loch-HMS_Loch_Eck.htm

HMNZS Taupo, originally HMS Loch Shin, was a Loch-class frigate which served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and then in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) from 1948 to 1961. She was scrapped in 1962.

HMNZS Taupo – Taupo in Malta
In April 1950 Taupo and her sister ship HMNZS Hawea went to serve with the Mediterranean Fleet at Malta. The RN sent two Bay-class frigates HMS St Austell Bay and HMS Veryan Bay to New Zealand. Taupo and Hawea returned to New Zealand in November 1950.

Royal Navy service

On Commissioning in October 1944 Loch Shin was allocated for service in the Western Approaches.[1] On 4 February 1945 she participated in attacks on the German submarine U-1014, which was sunk. The following month she was allocated for escorting Russian convoys. At the end of the war and during 1946 she was employed on Operation Deadlight to sink captured German U-Boats.

She was paid off from Royal Navy service in June 1947 and was reduced to reserve status.

Royal New Zealand Navy service

HMNZS Taupo on winter patrol in Korea

n early 1948 Loch Shin‘s sale to New Zealand was negotiated and she was re-fitted at Chatham before sale. Her name was changed to HMNZS Taupo and her pennant number was changed to F421.

During her service with the RNZN she served in the Pacific and Mediterranean and in 1951 and 1952 was deployed for service in the Korean War. Her service included shore bombardment operations. She paid off at the end of 1952 and was held in reserve status at Auckland.

HMNZS Taupo – Yang Do action – 20 February 1952.

HMNZS Taupo Ex Loch Shin

She was sold for scrapping on 15 December 1961.

HMS Loch Morlich/HMNZS Tutira was a Loch-class frigate that never saw service with the Royal Navy. Ordered during World War II, she saw service instead with the Royal Canadian Navy in the Battle of the Atlantic. She was named for Loch Morlich in Scotland. After the war she was returned to the Royal Navy and she was sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy and renamed Tutira.

Loch Morlich was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy on 1 April 1949.[3] Renamed Tutira, she was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 19 April 1949.[1] In 1950, along with HMNZS Pukaki, she sailed for Korea, taking part in the United Nations naval blockade during the Korean War, serving mainly as an escort. She took part in the Battle of Inchon serving as part of the screening force.[4] After returning from Korean waters she was placed in reserve in September 1951. She sat laid up in Auckland from 1952 until sold for scrap in 1961[1] and was broken up in 1966 at Hong Kong.

Loch Morlich which was ordered from Swan Hunter on 13 February 1943. She was laid down 15 July 1943 and launched 25 January 1944. Upon completion she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and commissioned on 17 July 1944, at Wallsend-on-Tyne.[2][3]

War service[edit]

After commissioning Loch Morlich joined convoy escort group EG 6 based in Derry after working up at Tobermory. She patrolled the waters around the United Kingdom until April 1945 when the group was transferred across the Atlantic to Halifax. She remained on the Canadian side of the Atlantic until the end of May when she returned to the United Kingdom. She was decommissioned and returned to the United Kingdom 20 June 1945 at Sheerness alongside HMCS Loch Achanalt, another Loch-class loaner to the Royal Canadian Navy.[2] She was reduced to reserve status and laid up in Sheerness, eventually being sold with six other Loch-class frigates in 1948.

Postwar service

Loch Morlich was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy on 1 April 1949.[3] Renamed Tutira, she was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 19 April 1949.[1] In 1950, along with HMNZS Pukaki, she sailed for Korea, taking part in the United Nations naval blockade during the Korean War, serving mainly as an escort. She took part in the Battle of Inchon serving as part of the screening force.[4] After returning from Korean waters she was placed in reserve in September 1951. She sat laid up in Auckland from 1952 until sold for scrap in 1961[1] and was broken up in 1966 at Hong Kong.

HMNZS Hawea (F422), formerly HMS Loch Eck (K422), was one of six Loch-class frigates that served in both the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).

HMNZS Hawea Ex HMS Loch Eck

The ship was laid down by Smiths Dock on 25 October 1943, launched on 25 April 1944 and commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Loch Eck on 7 November 1944.

Royal Navy service

HMNZS Hawea (F422), as HMS Loch Eck (K422)

Loch Eck joined the 10th Escort Group in the Western Approaches in December 1944 for anti-submarine patrols and support for convoy escorts. In January 1945 the Group was transferred to Scapa Flow for anti-submarine operations in the Faeroes–Iceland Gap. On 3 February she sank the German submarine U-327 north-west of Shetland with her Squid (mortar) after Hedgehog (mortar) attacks by the frigates Bayntun and Braithwaite. On 14 February she took part in the sinking of U-989, and on the 17 February of U-1278 in the same area.[1]

In March the Group was redeployed in the English Channel and South-Western Approaches as “Force 38”. In April Loch Eck carried out trials of new sonobuoy submarine detection equipment. On 23 May the ship was attached to Rosyth Command to support “Operation Doomsday“, the reoccupation of Norway. On 1 June she escorted U-2529 from Kristiansund to Loch Eriboll as part of “Operation Deadlight“, returning to Norway on 6 June as part of the escort for Convoy RN1 taking King Haakon VII of Norway to Oslo.[1]

After a refit at the Charles Hill & Sons shipyard in Bristol in June and July, she sailed for the Indian Ocean in August, to join the East Indies Escort Force. There she carried out Guard ship and military support duties, as well as the repatriation of military and civilian personnel. She was also present at the formal Japanese surrender of Bali in February 1946 and at Lombok in March. She sailed for home in May, but her return to the UK was delayed after a collision in Colombo with a Navy cutter. She returned to Devonport to decommission on 13 August 1946.[1]

Transfer to New Zealand[edit]

Loch Ech was one of six Loch-class frigates sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy. Renamed HMNZS Hawea, she was acquired on 7 September 1948, and commissioned on 1 October 1948.[2]

Since the Admiralty named the Loch-class ships after Scottish lakes, the six in New Zealand service were renamed after New Zealand lakes. Lake Hāwea is a glacial lake located in the Central Otago region of New Zealand. The name is Māori and is thought to refer to a local tribe although the exact meaning is uncertain. Hawea was the first of three ships with this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Royal New Zealand Navy service

After commissioning at Devonport Hawea sailed for the Mediterranean with three other Loch-class frigates. After exercises with the Mediterranean Fleet in November, she sailed for Auckland, via the Suez Canal and Indian Ocean, arriving in January 1949 to join the 11th Frigate Flotilla.[1]

HMS LOCK ECK F422 b.1944 b/u 3-66 . In 1948 to RNZ navy as HMNZS HAWEA

On 22 March 1949 Hawea participated in sinking the coal hulk Occident in Palliser Bay.

In 1949 Hawea carried out patrols in the Pacific, visiting Suva, Fiji and Samoa. After a refit from October to February 1950 she was transferred on loan to 2nd Frigate Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet, with her sister ship Taupo joining the flotilla at Malta in May for Fleet exercises and cruises. She returned to Auckland in November.[1]

Korean War[edit]

The Korean War started on 25 June 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the 38°N parallel and invaded South Korea. The New Zealand Government decided to maintain two frigates in support of a United Nations Naval Force assisting South Korea. Hawea‘s sister ships, Pukaki and Tutira, were hurriedly prepared for war service and sailed for Sasebo, their main base in Japan, on 3 July 1950. They did escort and patrol services, often working with Commonwealth, South Korean and other Allied ships, and in support of amphibious landings. The frigates were rotated in turn with the other four Loch frigates.

In February 1951 Hawea sailed to Kure, Japan, to join the United Nations Task Force. On 18 May she shelled a gun position on the coast, the first time that an RNZN ship fired on the enemy. From June to December she provided navigational data for bombardments in the Han River estuary, shelling rail traffic and maintaining a blockade.[1] On 15 September 1951, Hawea swamped a 7.6-metre (25 ft) motor boat which sank in the Han River estuary while navigating swift tidal channels to reach a bombardment position.

In February 1952 she was relieved by Rotoiti, returning to Auckland on 8 March. She had spent 272 days at sea, steamed 55,000 miles, and fired 21,000 rounds of ammunition. After refit and maintenance at Auckland from April to June she returned to Korea in October for further operations. After the Armistice Agreement of July 1953 she returned to Auckland, arriving there in August.[1]

Later service[edit]

After a refit she returned to the 11th Frigate Flotilla in February 1954 for patrols and port visits. In December 1956 she and Pukaki escorted the supply ship Endeavour in a passage to the Southern Ocean, sailing from Bluff to the edge of the pack ice.[1]

Decommissioning and fate[edit]

On 15 February 1957 Hawea was decommissioned and put into reserve. The ship was used as a Harbour Training ship in Auckland until sold for breaking up in September 1965.[1] On 15 November 1965 Hawea and sister ship Pukaki were towed by the tug Atlas to a breaker’s yard in Hong Kong.

H M N Z S   K A N I E R E (F426)

LOCH ACHRAY was renamed HM New Zealand Ship KANIERE by Lady Willis, wife of CinC Portsmouth. After work-up in Malta with three of the other LOCH Class also being transferred she arrived in Auckland in January 1949.

HMNZS Kaniere off of Banks Peninsula, Oct 7th 1950

HMNZS KANIERE was again brought forward in 1953 for service with the UN Task Force off Korea and deployed off the east coast for support of military operations. She remained with RN ships based at Hong Kong after the cease-fire in July 1953 and continued service with the UN until 1954 when she returned to New Zealand.

This ship remained in commission and was detached for service at Singapore with the 3rd Frigate Squadron for two periods between 1955 and 1957. She then was used for sea training duties mainly in coastal waters although deployed periodically for visits to Pacific islands. By 1961 she had been withdrawn from sea duties and placed in Reserve. Used for harbour training until placed on the Disposal List in 1966 she was sold to Hong Kong Rolling Mills and arrived at the breaker’s yard in tow during February 1967.

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

KOREA  1953

H e r a l d i c    D a t a

The Badge was designed by the ship and features one of the world’s rarest birds.

In former times the Kakapo was abundant on the shores of Lake Kaniere. The chief of

the Maori Kai Taku snared this bird in this area. Some of the feathers obtained were

used to make a special garment for his daughter. The Kapako was a ground dwelling

bird and the Badge shows a green field to represent this feature.

M o t t o

Kia Maia: ‘Be firm’

D e t a i l s   o f   S e r v i c e

1 9 4 8

January to May

Laid-up at Portsmouth. (Note: Sale of the ship to New Zealand was agreed at a cost of £232,750 and the ships was to be refitted prior to transfer to the RNZN.)

June to August

Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Portsmouth. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to F 426. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander BE Turner.

September

Carried out harbour trials

27th – Commissioned into RNZN service and renamed HMNZS KANIERE by Lady Willis, wife of CinC Portsmouth. (Note: The original choice of her new name was HMNZS HAIPO but this changed before the ceremony.)

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant T W Stocker RN.

October

Carried out post refit trials and calibrations. On completion took passage to Malta to work-up for operational service with the ships of the Mediterranean Fleet. Commenced work-up in Malta.

November

Took passage to New Zealand on completion of work-up. Transit of Suez Canal.

December

Passage in Red Sea and Indian Ocean with call at Aden. At Singapore,

1 9 4 9

January

Passage from Singapore to Auckland. Joined 11th Frigate Flotilla on arrival.

February to June

Deployed at Auckland with Flotilla for exercises. Nominated for Pacific Ocean patrol and visits.

July to August

Carried out patrol with calls at Suva, Fiji and Samoa.

Returned to Auckland.

September

Deployed at Auckland. Commanding Officer: Commander CC Stevens and Senior Officer 11th Frigate Flotilla.

Nominated for joint exercises with RAN.

October to November

Passage to Sydney Took part in joint exercises in Jervis Bay area Calls were made at Melbourne and Hobart, Tasmania

December

Return passage to Auckland.

1 9 5 0

January to August

Deployed at Auckland and took part in Flotilla and RNZN exercises and visits. Nominated for refit. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant D B Holdsworth RN.

September to October

Under refit at Auckland by HM Dockyard. (Note: Ship had been intended for exchange service with Mediterranean Fleet Frigate but she was replaced by sister ship HMNZS HAWEA.)

November to December

Carried out post refit trials and rejoined Flotilla. Deployed for Flotilla duties.

1 9 5 1

January to August

Deployed with Flotilla for exercises and visits. Nominated for Pacific patrol Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander J O’C Ross.

September to October

Carried out Pacific patrol with visits to Apia, Ellice Islands, Rotuma, Suva, Tonga. Returned to Auckland.

Nominated for reduction to Reserve status. Commanding Officer Lieutenant A G Rhodes

November

Paid-off and reduced to Reserve at Auckland.

December

Laid-up at Auckland

1 9 5 2

January to October

Laid-up at Auckland

November

Re-commissioned for service in 11th Frigate Squadron. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant AG Rhodes

December

Deployed for work-up and Flotilla duties based at Auckland.

1 9 5 3

January

Prepared for operational service and exercised with ships of Flotilla. Nominated for detached service with UN naval Task Group at Sasebo

February

2nd – Took passage to Sasebo as relief for HMNZS ROTOITI. Commanding Officer L G Carr RNZN.

Called at Sydney.

March

Passage to Singapore.

April

Passage from Hong Kong to Sasebo.

23rd – Arrived at Sasebo to commence UN service.

24th – Passage to carry out first patrol of west coast of Korea.

May

Deployed for patrol and naval gunfire support including cover for minesweeping operation and the evacuation of wounded guerrillas from Chodo Island off west coast. Later provided support to US warship in Regency Channel and came under shore gunfire. Returned to Sasebo before taking passage to Hong Kong

June

At Hong Kong with HMNZS HAWAE (Note: During this period took part in Commonwealth celebrations including inspection by Commander in Chief , British Forces in Korea.)

10th – Resumed service at Sasebo after carrying out anti-submarine exercises during passage from Hong Kong.

15th – Resumed patrol duties off west coast of Korea

July

UN service in continuation including evacuation of partisans from outlying islands above the the 38 parallel of latitude being proposed as future dividing line as well as providing naval gunfire support to military operations.

28th – Remained for UN duties based at Sasebo after declaration of Cease-Fire (Note: Rest and Recreation facilities were still to be carried out at Kure which had been used by Commonwealth troops since outbreak of hostilities. Repair facilities were also available in the commercial shipyard at Kure.)

August to December

Deployed for patrol off west coast of Korea based at Sasebo in continuation

1 9 5 4

January

Deployment for patrol and support of UN in continuation

Nominated for return to New Zealand. Took passage to Hong Kong

February to March

Passage to Auckland with call at Suva.

April to June

Rejoined Flotilla and deployed with 11th Frigate Squadron for Local duties and exercises.

Nominated for detached service with Commonwealth Strategic Reserve based at Singapore,

July

Prepared for detached service. Passage to Sydney

August

Sailed from Sydney to Singapore with calls at Brisbane and Cairns.

September

Joined 3rd Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet. Nominated for detached service in Japan with UN. Passage to Sasebo with call at Hong Kong.

October to December

Deployed at Sasebo for UN Support in Korean waters. Took part in international exercises with US Navy and other warships deployed for UN support.

1 9 5 5

January

Took passage to Hong Kong for R&R and maintenance period. Returned to Sasebo to resume UN support duties.

February

Deployed at Sasebo for UN service.

March

Passage to Hong Kong for R&R. Returned to Sasebo for further UN service.

April

UN service at Sasebo in continuation.

May

On release from UN deployment took passage to Singapore to rejoin Squadron.

June

Deployed at Singapore with Squadron and took part in Fleet exercise.

July

Released from detached service at Singapore and took passage to Auckland with calls at Celebes and Cairns. Rejoined 11th Frigate Squadron

August

Taken in hand for routine Docking and inspection of underwater fittings at Auckland.

September to October

Deployed with Squadron for Fleet exercises and visits including Wellington, Bluff and Suva. Nominated for refit.

November to December

Under refit.

1 9 5 6

January

Carried out post refit trials. Nominated for further detached service at Singapore in Commonwealth Strategic Reserve.

February

Passage to Singapore.

March

Re-joined 3rd Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet. Took part in major Fleet Exercises and visits with Squadron

April

Deployed at Singapore with Squadron. Nominated for detached UN service based at Sasebo.

May

Passage to Sasebo with call at Hong Kong.

June to July

Deployed for UN support based at Sasebo. Took part in international exercises.

August

Released from UN duties and took passage to Singapore

September

Took part in Fleet exercises with Squadron.

October

On release took passage to Hong Kong.

Deployed for patrol off Borneo in support of military operations against Indonesian insurgency. (KONFRONTASI))

November to December

Deployed for anti-piracy patrols and military support. Returned to Hong Kong and later to Singapore. Passage to Hong Kong for Christmas

1 9 5 7

January to February

Deployed on support duties in Borneo. Returned to Hong Kong for R&R.

Resumed duties off Borneo. Took part in major international Fleet exercise.

March to April

Deployed for Borneo support with R&R at Hong Kong.

May

Took part in Exercise ASTRA with Squadron based at Singapore. On completion took return passage to Auckland

June to September

Taken in hand for refit at Auckland. Nominated for deployment as Training ship

October to November

Deployed for training (Note: During this visit deployed in local area and also for visit to Christmas Island.)

December

Training duties in continuation and took part in joint exercises with RAN.

1 9 5 8

January to February

Deployed for training duties including visits to Melbourne, ports on western coast of New Zealand and Hobart.

March

Deployed local for training based at Auckland.

April

Carried out Pacific training cruise with visit to Suva.

Nominated for refit.

May to June

Under refit

July to October

On completion of post refit trials deployed at Auckland for training duties.

November

Deployed for training with visits to Lyttleton and Dunedin (Note: Carried out oceanographic research work during this period.)

December

Deployed at Auckland for training.

1 9 5 9

January to April

Deployed for training duties. Nominated for refit.

May to June

Under refit at Auckland.

July to November

On completion of post refit trials resumed training duties.

December

Routine docking for inspection of underwater fittings

1 9 6 0

January to September

Training duties in continuation including visit to Sydney.

October

Embarked RNZVR personnel for training and visited Ngapona.

November

Took part in Fleet exercises during which involved in collision with HM Submarine ANCHORITE.

December

Deployed for training based at Auckland. Nominated for harbour training.

1 9 6 1

Deployed for harbour training and paid off. After de-storing deployed for harbour training.

1 9 6 2   to   1 9 6 5

Harbour training in continuation

Nominated for withdrawal from use. De-stored and de-equipped. Placed on Sales List

F i n a l  P ha s e

HMNZS KANIERE was sold for demolition in Hong Kong and towed to the breaker’s yard in 1966.