History of ML's supplied by CPO Seaman Roy Quinn HMNZS Olphert

 

HISTORY OF THE HARBOUR DEFENCE MOTOR LAUNCH

H.D.M.L.

 

They were built in the United States of America under contract to the United Kingdom (Contract Number U.K. 4204) and shipped to New Zealand as Deck Cargo between1943 and 1944, a total of 16 were received.

 

The American Builders were

 

 

Maden and Lewis Company

Sausalito

California

(Contract Number, D.A.N.O.B.S. 585)

 

This company built four, which were Q1183, Q1184, Q1185, Q1186. They were shipped to Wellington N.Z. from San Francisco as deck cargo on the ships Frank Joseph Irvin and the Pere Marguette, arriving in Wellington on the 16^th of January 1943 and the 5^th of March 1943

                  

          Q1183, Q1184, were commissioned on the 9^th of March 1943.

          Q1185, was commissioned on the 8^th April 1943.

          Q1186, was commissioned on the 14^th April 1943

 

 

Everett Marine Ways Inc.

Everett,

Washington.

(Contract Number: D.A.N.O.B. 586)

 

This Company also built four craft. They were Q1187, Q1188, Q1189, Q1190. They were shipped to Wellington, N.Z. from Vancouver as deck cargo on the ship Kootenay Park arriving Wellington on the 30^th April 1943.

 

          Q1187 was commissioned on the 13^th May 1943.

          Q1188 was commissioned on the 22 May 1943.

          Q1189 was commissioned on the 25^th May 1943

          Q1190 was commissioned on the 28^th May 1943

 

 

 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 25^th August 1843, all these craft were commissioned together on the 28^th September 1943

 

Ackerman Boat Works

Azuza, Newport Beach

California

(Contract Number D.A.N.O.B.S, 568.)

 

This company built the last four craft for New Zealand, They were Q1348, Q1349, Q1350, Q1351. They were shipped to Auckland N.Z. from Los Angeles on the MT ROBSON PARK, arriving on the 25^th February 1944.

 

          Q1348, Q1351, were commissioned on the 14^th March 1944

          Q1349, Q1350, were commissioned on the 27^th March 1944

 

H.D.M.L. SPECIFICATIONS

 

DISPLACEMENT              45 Tons, 54 Tons Full Load

LENGTH                         72 Ft.                  

BEAM                             17ft 10ins

DRAUGHT                       5Ft 4ins

ARMAMENT

1 x 20mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

`        1 x Colt Browning Machine Gun

3 x .303 Machine Guns

8 Depth Charges

MACHINERY

                                      2 x 160H.P. Grey Marine Diesels

 

 

Sixteen H.D.M.L purchased in the United States on lend Lease were commissioned between the 9^th March 1943 and 27 March 1944.

They were grouped and operated as the 124^th and 125^th Flotillas. The 124^th based in Auckland and the 125^th at Wellington.

These 72Ft craft were equipped with Depth Charges and were to maintain Anti-Submarine inside the Mine Fields and Indicator Loops

The 124^th Flotilla patrolled the Anti-Submarine fixed defenses in Auckland which were commissioned as EMU and PUNA.

Emu Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station was situated on Motutapu Island in the approaches to Auckland and administered by the Commanding Officer H.M.N.Z. S. PHILOMEL.

PUNA Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station was situated at Takapuna Head, Auckland and was also administered by the Commanding Officer H.M.N.Z. S. PHILOMEL.

 The 125^th Flotilla patrolled the Anti-Submarine Fixed Defences in Wellington, which was commissioned WORSER.

WORSER Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station was situated in Worser Bay Wellington and was administered by the Commanding Officer H.M.N.Z.S. COOK.

Thought The 16 H.D.M.L. were not tested by enemy action at any time, the Anti-Submarine Fixed Defences at Auckland and Wellington attained a high degree of efficiency.

The only incident recorded is on the 6^th September 1943, H.D.M.L. Q1186 made an ASDIC contact while on patrol off Cape Brett, and dropped Depth Charges, but a search revealed no sign of any submarine.

 

124^th FLOTILLA AUCKLAND AREA

Because of the late commissioning of the Anti-Submarine Fixed Defenses at Worser Bay, the following H.D.M.L. were sailed to Auckland from Wellington on the 16^th May 1943 via Gisborne, arriving in Auckland on the 20^th May 1943.

Q1183, Q1184, Q1185, Q1186, Q1187 were the Five designated and they joined up with Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, thus collectively making up the 124^th Flotilla.

 

125^th FLOTRILLA WELLINGTON AREA

The 125^th Flotilla comprising the following units, Q1188, Q1189, Q1190, they were backed up by the B Class Fairmiles of the 81^st Flotilla comprising the following units, Q400, Q402, Q403, Q405, Q407, Q409, Q410.

 

126^th Flotilla Lyttelton Area

The following four H.D.M.L. Q1348, Q1349, Q1350, Q1351 were to make up the 126^th Flotilla, but because the Fairmiles were to be sent to the Solomon Islands and the cancellation of the Lyttelton Anti-Submarine Fixed Defences, these H.D.M.L were dispersed to the 125^th Flotilla at Wellington.

Q1348 was sent to the Fijian Islands escorted by H.M.N.Z.S, KIWI on the 8^th November 1944 arriving on the 12 November 1944, where she remained until her return to New Zealand, departing on the 13 November 1945, escorted by the VITI, arriving at Auckland on the 18^th November 1945.

By December 1945 all 16 H.D.M.L. were in Auckland paying off and were subsequently laid up at the Greenhithe Trot, until the Lend Lease transactions were settled.

In January 1946 H.D.M.L. was transferred to The Royal N.Z. Army and named BOMBARDIER,

On the 7^th of January 1946, the following H.D.M.L. were declared surplus and placed on tender for sale. They were Q1186, Q1188, Q1190, Q1348, Q1349, Q1350, Q1351, Q1189. But on the 24^th May 1946 all nine were withdrawn from sale due to Lend Lease not yet clarified.

In1946 H.D.M.L. Q1186 was dismantled for spares by the R.N.Z.N.

Between 1947 and 1948 four were placed for tender. They were,

          Q1187 sold and renames COAST GUARD CUTTER No 1.

          Q1189 sold to a private buyer an renames ALERT.

          Q1349 sold to a private buyer and renamed BLACK WATCH.

Q1351 sold to a private buyer and renamed AOTEAROA, later resold and renamed PAKATOA. 

The ten H.D.M.L. 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.

Four S.D.M.L. were refitted out for the four Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Divisions, who had bases at Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago.

They were

          Q1194 Auckland R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division, H.M.N.Z.S. NGAPONA

          Q1348 Canterbury R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division, H.M.N.Z.S. PEGASUS

          Q1190 Wellington R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division, H.M.N.Z.S. OLPHERT

          Q1350 Otago R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division H.M.Z.S. TOROA

In 1952 the R.N.Z.N. decided to buy back Q1349 (BLACK WATCH) and after some hassles with the owner the R.N.Z.N eventually received her.

In 1954 it was decided to start refitting out some of the S.D.M.L. for Fisheries Protection Duties, and Coastal Survey Duties.

The first S.D.M.L. up for modernisation and fitting out with lattice masts were Q1183, Q1184, were chosen in 1954.                                                                                       Q1183 given a new pennant number P3551 and because of her new role was given a fish name, she was commissioned as H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO (Shark)

          Q1184 was also given a new pennant number P3552 and was commissioned as H.M.N.Z.S. PAEA (Swordfish). 

At the same time Q1188 and Q1187(ex-Coast Guard Cutter No 1)  the two coastal survey launches were fitting out for their new roles . They didn’t get Radar or lattice masts, but were fitted with modern Echo Sounding equipment.

          Q1188 was given a new pennant number P3556 and was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S. TAKAPU (Gannet).

          Q1187 given the pennant number P3566 and was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S TARAPUNGA (Black Backed Gull)   

Commissioned S.D.M.L. 1955 New Pennant Numbers and Names

FISHERIES PROTECTION DUTIES

Q1183        H.M.N.Z.S.  MAKO                  P3551

Q1184        H.M.N.Z.S.  PAEA                    P3552

COASTAL SURVEY DUTIES

Q1188        H.M.N.Z.S.  TAKAPU               P3556

Q1187        H.M.N.Z.S.  TARAPUNGA         P3566

R.N.Z.N.V.R. DIVISIONAL S.D.M.L.

Q1194        Auckland                                 P3561

Q1190        Wellington                               P3562

Q1348        Canterbury                               P3563

Q1350        Otago                                       P3564

The remaining three craft were used as Liberty boats between Auckland and H.M.N.Z.S. TAMAKI situated on Motihue Island and became “Tamaki Trams” the most popular name given to them by Thousands of sailors travelling to liberty on them.

Q1194, P3561, which was the Auckland R.N.Z.V.R. Divisions S.D.M.L. was broken up after running aground near Coromandel in November 1957.

The New Zealand Army was asked to return Q1185 (BOMBARDIER) to the R.N.Z.N. as a replacement, as there was a delay in returning, she was not received until 1959.

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

In 1960 Q1185 after being returned by the Army was refitted out for its new role as a Fishery Protection Vessel, it was given a new pennant number P3567 and commissioned as H.M.N.Z.S. MANGA (Barracuda).

By 1964 H.M.N.Z, S. TAMAKI on Motuhue Island had closed down and relocated to Ft. CAUTLEY, Devonport. This shift made the Three Tamaki Trams surplus to requirements. Two of these S.D.M.L. were selected for fitting out as Fisheries Protection Vessels. They were Q1349, P3565 and Q1192, P3554.

          Q1349, P3565 was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S. HAKU (King Fish)

          Q1192, P3554 was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S. MARORO (Flying Fish)

 

COMMISSIONED S.D.M.L. 1964 PENNANT NUMBERS and NAMES

FISHERY PROTECTION DUTIES

          QII83          P3551        H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO

          QII84          P3552        H.M.N.Z.S. PAEA

          QII85          P3567        H.M.N.Z.S. MANGA

QI349         P3565        H.M.N.Z.S. HAKU

QII92          P3554        H.M.N.Z.S. MARORO

COASTAL SURVEY DUTIES

          QII88          P3556        H.M.N.Z.S. TAKAPU

QII87          P3566        H.M.N.Z.S. TARAPUNGA

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

Q1193        P3561        Auckland Division           H.M.N.Z.S. NGAPHONA

Q1190        P3562        Wellington Division         H.M.N.Z.S. OLPHERT

Q1348        P3563        Canterbury Division        H.M.N.Z.S. PEGASUS.

01350        P3564        Otago Division                H.M.N.Z.S. TOROA

 

Q1191        P3553        Laid up in Auckland as a spare launch

These Twelve S.D.M.L. were now twenty years old and still going strong as ever.

In 1966 Q1191, P3553 was refitted and converted into a Fisheries Protection vessel and commissioned as H.M.N.Z.S. KAHAWAI. 

 

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. NGAPHONA now        H.M.N.Z. S TAMURE.

Q1190, P3562, Wellington Division, H.M.N.Z.S. OLPHERT now        H.M.N.Z. S PARORE.

Q1348, P3563, Canterbury Division H.M.N.Z.S. PEGASUS now        H.M.N.Z. S KUPARU

Q1350, P3564, Otago Division,        H.M.N.Z.S. TOROA now            H.M.N.Z. S KOURA.

 

In 1979 Q1187, P3566 H.M.N.Z.S. TARAPUNGA one of the Survey S.D.M.L. was taken off survey duties, refitted and converted, had a lattice mast and radar fitted, similar to the Fisheries vessels, recommissioned, renamed H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO and handed over to the R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division at Wellington.

 

In 1979 Q1188, P3556 H.M.N.Z.S. Takapu the last survey vessel was taken off survey duties and also refitted and converted with lattice mast and radar. Recommissioned and renamed H.M.N.Z.S. Kahawai and handed over to the R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division Auckland.

The following five S.D.M.L. still in training in 1981 and were being used by the R.N.Z.N.V.R. for training.

Q1184 P3552      H.M.N.Z.S. PAEA                                AUCKLAND DIVISION.

Q1188 P3556      H.M.N.Z.S. KAHAWAI ex TAKAPU       AUCKLAND DIVISION.

Q1187 P3566      H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO ex TARAPUNGA      WELLINGTON DIVISION.

Q1348 P3563      H.M.N.Z.S. KUPARU                           CANTERBURY DIVISION.

Q1350 P3564      H.M.N.Z.S. KOURA                             OTAGO DIVISION.

So after 38 years of continuous service these great little launches are still in service, a great credit to their builders and designers, and to the crews and Dockyard Shipwrights who maintained these vessels.

October 1982, Q1188, P3556, H.M.N.Z.S. KAHAWAI ex TAKAPU, R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division Dunedin, stripped and declared surplus.

September 1983, Q1187, P3566, H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO ex TARAPUNGA, R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division Wellington Stripped and declared surplus.

January 1984, H.M.N.Z, S KAHAWAI ex TAKAPU sold. As at 2022 now owned by Russell Brown and berthed in Riverton, Southland as Takapu2.

January 1984, Q1350, P3564, H.M.N.Z.S. KOURA was sailed complete to the Maritime Museum, Paeroa on the Coromandel as a working exhibit. (1988 still there, have seen it). Now on the Hard at Kopu Marine Shipyard as at 2022.

April 1984, Q1184, P3552, H.M.N.Z.S PAEA paid off, is still maintained by the navy and waiting to be put on display at the new Naval Museum Devonport. As at 2022 owned by Roger Reeves of NSW and based in Whangarei.  Given name is HDML Paea.

12 February 1988, Q1348, P3563, H.M.N.Z.S. KUPARU is still in use as a safety boat on Sea Survival Courses and various other tasks. Bought by Scott Perry and in Whangarei as at 2022 (up for sale).  Given name is HDML Kuparu.