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Diving Tender – Manawanui i

HMNZS Manawanui

HMNZS Manawanui was a naval tug which was modified for use as a diving tender by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Originally intended for service with the United States Navy as a tug, the vessel was built in 1945 and transferred to the New Zealand Marine Department, which employed her in Waitemata Harbour before transferring the ship to the RNZN in 1948. She was converted to a diving tender in 1953 and served out her time in the RNZN in this role, before being decommissioned in 1978 and sold to the Paeroa Historic Maritime Park. The engine is now on display at the Whangarei Stationary Engine Club.[1]

Construction and design[edit]

Manawanui was built in Auckland in 1945 by Steel Ships Ltd. Displacing 125 tons standard, the vessel was 23 m (75 ft) long and had a beam of 5.6 m (18 ft). Propulsion was provided by a single 320 hp (240 kW) diesel engine operating a single shaft, which produced a top speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She had a crew of four.[citation needed]

Operational history[edit]

The vessel was originally built for the United States Navy, and was designated as US Navy tug YLT622, but instead she was transferred to the New Zealand Marine Department who named her Tug 622 and used her to service the large post-war fleet of surplus ships scattered around Waitemata Harbour.[citation needed] In 1948, Tug 622 was transferred to the RNZN and became HMNZS Manawanui. Manawanui was the first of three boats with this name to serve in the New Zealand Navy. It is also a Māori word meaning “to be brave or steadfast”.

HMNZS Manawanui at Paeroa
HMNZS Manawanui – diving tender

In 1953, she was converted to a diving tender and functioned in this role for the next 15 years. In 1956, she assisted in recovering an Avenger aircraft that had ditched in Hauraki Gulf. In 1957, she towed the badly damaged patrol launch SDML P3561 off rocks near Rangipukea Island and beached her in a nearby bay. In 1958, she investigated the wreck of the coaster Holmglen off Timaru.[citation needed]

She was replaced as a diving tender by a specially modified Moa class boat with the same name in 1978. In November 1978, she was sold for a nominal sum, to the Paeroa Historic Maritime Park for preservation and display.[3]

HDML – Q1193 – Tamure (P3555)

Read full post here – https://rnznships.com/1479


HMNZS TAMURE – P3555

The H.M.N.Z.S. Tamure coming into berth at Port Lyttelton with two sailors making preparations. Tamure is a 72 foot long motor launch built in 1942
Date 1970-09-12

Gray Harbour Ship Building Co – Aberdeen, Grays Harbour – Washington – Contract Number D.A.N.O.B.S. 587)

The four built by this Company were shipped to Auckland N.Z. from Vancouver on the Mt Robson Park. They were Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194. They arrived in Auckland on the 25th August 1843, all these craft were commissioned together on the 28th September 1943

Ten H.D.M.L. were retained by the R.N.Z.N. were,

          Q1183, Q1184, Q1188, Q1190, Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, Q1348, Q1350

These ten  H.D,M.L. were reclassified as S.D.M.L. (Seaward Defense Motor Launch) in the mid 1950’s and were used in various roles.

Q1193 which was the Fijian Naval Volunteer Reserve S.D.M.L. Named H.M.F.S. VITI based in Suva was sailed to New Zealand when the Fijian Reserve was disbanded, She was crewed with volunteers from H.M.N.Z.S. ROYALIST and escorted to Auckland by H.M.N.Z.S. KANIERE. in 1959. Refitted and given the pennant number P3555 and handed to the Auckland R.N.Z.N.V.R. as a replacement S.D.M.L. for Q1194 Renamed Ngapona (II) in 1958. Survey 1959-68, Auckland. Sold 3/73.

Served in Fiji (RFNVR) 1955-59

R.N.Z.N.V.R. VESSELS NOW NAMED AFTER THEIR DIVISIONS

Q1193        P3561        Auckland Division           H.M.N.Z.S. Ngapona 1959

Also, in 1966 it was decided to refit and convert the four R.N.Z.N.V.R.  S.D.M/Ls the same as the Fisheries Protection vessels, so they could be supplemented in the Fisheries Protection role in their respective areas. They were also given fish names. In January 1967 the refits were started and by the end of 1967 all craft had been completed.

Q1193, P3561 Auckland Division, H.M.N.Z.S. NGAPONA – now  H.M.N.Z. S TAMURE.

HMNZS Tamure/Ngapona Flotilla of small ships against the backdrop of Rangitoto welcoming the arrival of the Chilean Navy training ship Esmeralda to Auckland. HMNZS Ngapona P3555 (later renamed Tamure) bottom left, the Stanley Bay ferry launch Aotearoa II top left, and the stern of the Navy tug Arataki extreme right.
Attribution
acknowledge Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections
152800010
https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/90662/

Left RNZN 1973 Sold for charter work. Sank at Tutukaka 1982. Salvaged. Rebuilt as launch Tamure 1987.

Possibly at Te Atutu. Now located at a marine yard in Kopu, Thames

HMNZS Tamure/Ngapona
HMNZS Tamure/Ngapona

Christchurch hosts NZ Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion celebrating 50 years – more photos on blog https://rnznships.com/

2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment may look quite different today to when it was formed 50 years ago but the quality and calibre of the soldiers in the South Island unit has not changed, says the battalion’s commanding officer.

01 July, 2024

The battalion celebrated its half-century anniversary over the long Matariki weekend with a charter parade through Christchurch’s central city, opening a 25-year-old time capsule, and ceremonies and social events at Burnham Military Camp. 

Friday’s charter parade drew large crowds as the battalion marched with regimental colours through Christchurch, joined by the NZ Army Band and unit veterans.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger inspected the parade in Cathedral Square before reading the historical charter document, acknowledging the unwavering support of the city in difficult times.

The charter formalises the relationship between the city of Christchurch and the South Island’s only Regular Force infantry unit.

2nd/1st Battalion has been among the first to respond to incidents and disasters in Christchurch and the wider South Island, such as the Christchurch Earthquake in 2011 and the Covid-19 response – providing personnel to conduct security and manage quarantine facilities.

On Saturday, more than 500 former battalion members were ‘welcomed home’ to Burnham.

The contents of the 25-year-old time capsule showed a snapshot in time of the battalion including photos and kit.Battalion 50th 1

The New Zealand Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment has marked its 50th anniversary with events in central Christchurch and at its home of Burnham Military CampBattalion 50th 3

The New Zealand Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment has marked its 50th anniversary with events in central Christchurch and at its home of Burnham Military CampBattalion 50th 4

The New Zealand Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment has marked its 50th anniversary with events in central Christchurch and at its home of Burnham Military CampBattalion 50th 6

The New Zealand Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment has marked its 50th anniversary with events in central Christchurch and at its home of Burnham Military CampBattalion 50th 5

The New Zealand Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment has marked its 50th anniversary with events in central Christchurch and at its home of Burnham Military CampScroll to previous imageScroll to next image

Major General (Retired) Ken Gordon was the Commanding Officer of 2nd/1st Battalion from 1976 to 1978, shortly after it was formed.

It was the highlight of a 37-year career that started when he enlisted as an 18-year-old and ended in 1987. A soldier’s kit was now a lot different.

“We were really just at the dog end of the war when I joined but everything has changed since,” he said. 

“When I look now at a soldier, I can’t imagine what they have on them – all the bells and whistles.”

Current Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Smith, says thousands of battalion members had served in New Zealand and on overseas deployments, including Bosnia, East Timor, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands and Iraq.

Every unit member had made their own unique contribution to the history of 2nd/1st Battalion.

“While the battalion may look very different from the one formed 50 years ago, some things have not changed. 

“The quality and calibre of the soldiers who form the sections, platoons and companies of the battalion and the way the unit has just got on with the job of soldiering is the same now as they have always been.”

The battalion has laid down another time capsule, to be lifted in 25 years.

HMNZS Aotearoa arrives at RIMPAC 2024

The Royal New Zealand Navy maritime sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa is in Pearl Harbor, readying to be a major part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) contribution to Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC 24).

02 July, 2024

RIMPAC is a biennial multi-national combined exercise, hosted by the United States Navy, focused on all aspects of maritime-based warfare disciplines. It is the largest maritime exercise in the world, involving approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.

The harbour phase of the exercise is currently underway which involves HMNZS Aotearoa’s crew attending planning meetings, symposiums, sports competitions and cultural exchanges.

HMNZS Aotearoa, which arrived in Pearl Harbor last week, will sail in company with the other participating ships on Monday 8 July 2024 for the sea phase of the exercise.

This will include a range of maritime warfare focused scenarios such as amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defence exercises, as well as military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.

During this phase of the exercise, HMNZS Aotearoa will play a large part in sustaining the coalition force by resupplying other ships with fuel, food, spare parts and ammunition.

Speaking to a delegation of international visitors to the ship, HMNZS Aotearoa’s Commanding Officer, Commander Rob Welford, quoted an excerpt from the Navy haka explaining “this means we stand strong, we stand staunch, we stand together as sailors. This call aligns with the key theme of RIMPAC 24: partners integrated and prepared”.

The NZDF is contributing around 250 personnel to the exercise including the ship’s crew,  operational divers from HMNZS Matataua, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft and air  detachment, medical personnel, a dental team and other New Zealand Defence Force personnel operating in various headquarters and supporting units.

Photo by Seaman Juan Cordova, U.S. Navy