Coastal Forces of the Royal New Zealand Navy
Encyclopedia
Coastal Forces
was a division of the Royal Navy
established during World War II
. It consisted of small coastal defence craft such as motor launches
, submarine chaser
s, air-sea rescue
launches, motor gun boats
and motor torpedo boats
. It did not include minesweeper
s, naval trawler
s or landing craft
. This article is about the equivalent boats used in the Royal New Zealand Navy
(RNZN).
From 1921 until 1941 the New Zealand Navy was a Division of the Royal Navy. The RNZN was not created until 1 October 1941. Within six months of its creation the RNZN commissioned twelve Class B Fairmiles
and sixteen Harbour Defence Motor Launch
es (HDMLs)
, four at Wellington
, and two at Lyttelton
. Drawings and specifications of the Fairmile anti-submarine motorboat developed by Fairmile Marine
were sent from England and it was agreed that these craft could be built in New Zealand providing the engines, ordnance and some prefabricated components came from England.
The Class B Fairmiles
were 112 feet (34.1 m) long, displaced 85 tons and had a complement of 16. Twin 12-cylinder petrol engines generated 630 hp on each of two shafts for a speed of 20 knots (39.2 km/h). They were armed with a 2 pdr
gun, a 20 mm Oerlikon cannon, twin 0.303 in machine guns and 12 depth charge
s, and were fitted with ASDIC (sonar
).
The orders were distributed among four Auckland firms. The estimated cost of each vessel was £35,000, making a total of £420,000 for the twelve. Delays occurred in the delivery of prefabricated components, the difficulty in getting supplies of first-class kauri timber and a serious shortage of skilled labour.
The newly formed RNZN commissioned the 12 Class B Fairmiles on 20 December 1943 and assigned pendant numbers Q 400 through to Q 411. The boats were not initially named, and were identified only through their pendant numbers.
The first Fairmile constructed, Q 403, was launched on 29 September 1942 and commissioned on 21 October 1942. Thereafter the completed boats were delivered at short intervals. All the boats were completed and were then recommissioned into the newly formed RNZN on 20 December 1943.
, Commander South Pacific, informed the New Zealand Naval Board that the "current employment of Japanese submarines and estimates of their future employment indicate immunity from the submarine menace in New Zealand waters". He proposed that the New Zealand Fairmile motor launches should be employed in the Solomon Islands, relieving American destroyers and patrol vessels for duty elsewhere.
The twelve Fairmiles were refitted for service in tropical waters and formed into the 80th and 81st Motor Launch Flotillas. The 80th Flotilla consisted of MLs 401 to 406 and the 81st Flotilla of MLs 407 to 411. The flotillas were based at Renard Sound in the Russell Islands
. The base was named Kahu and for administrative purposes ML400 was commissioned on 1 April 1944 as HMNZS Kahu
. During the seventeen months of their service in the Solomons, from March 1944 until June 1945, the twelve Fairmiles logged 380000 miles (611,549.2 km) on anti-submarine screen patrols and on escorting ships. They had no encounters with Japanese forces.
-Waiheke ferryIris Moana. Two other former fairmiles were renamed the Ngaroma and the Colville and used as the main ferries between Auckland and Great Barrier Island
. They were skippered by Len Sowerby and his son Lester.
es (HDMLs) purchased in the United States were commissioned between March 1943 and March 1944. The launches were 72 feet (21.9 m) long, displaced 54 tons and had a complement of 10. Twin Diesels generated 270 hp on each of two shafts for a speed of 12 knots (23.5 km/h). They were armed with one 20mm Oerlikons
, three Vickers K
machine guns and six depth charge
s.
They operated as the 124th and 125th Motor Launch Flotillas, based on Auckland and Wellington respectively. They maintained anti-submarine
patrols inside indicator loops. Though they were not tested by enemy action, the anti-submarine fixed defences at Wellington and Auckland attained a high degree of efficiency.
After the war, twelve were retained, three were sold and one was transferred to the Army. The remaining boats were refitted and re-engined with Foden diesels. These were subsequently used as fishery protection, survey and reserve training boats. All remaining boats were named and given new pendant numbers in 1950.
Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy
Coastal Forces was a division of the Royal Navy established duringWorld War II under the command of Rear Admiral Coastal Forces. -History:The Royal Navy had previously operated flotillas of small torpedo- and depth-charge-armed craft during the First World WarThe first Headquarters was set up at ...
was a division of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
established during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It consisted of small coastal defence craft such as motor launches
Motor Launch
A Motor Launch is a small military vessel in British navy service. It was designed for harbour defence and submarine chasing or for armed high speed air-sea rescue....
, submarine chaser
Submarine chaser
A submarine chaser is a small and fast naval vessel specially intended for anti-submarine warfare. Although similar vessels were designed and used by many nations, this designation was most famously used by ships built by the United States of America...
s, air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
launches, motor gun boats
Motor Gun Boat
Motor Gun Boat was a Royal Navy term for a small military vessel of the Second World War. They were physically similar to the Motor Torpedo Boats but equipped with a mix of guns instead of torpedoes. Their small size and high speed made them difficult targets for E-boats or torpedo bombers, but...
and motor torpedo boats
Motor Torpedo Boat
Motor Torpedo Boat was the name given to fast torpedo boats by the Royal Navy, and the Royal Canadian Navy.The capitalised term is generally used for the Royal Navy boats and abbreviated to "MTB"...
. It did not include minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
s, naval trawler
Naval trawler
A naval trawler is a vessel built along the lines of a fishing trawler but fitted out for naval purposes. Naval trawlers were widely used during the First and Second world wars. Fishing trawlers were particularly suited for many naval requirements because they were robust boats designed to work...
s or landing craft
Landing craft
Landing craft are boats and seagoing vessels used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during WWII...
. This article is about the equivalent boats used in the Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
(RNZN).
From 1921 until 1941 the New Zealand Navy was a Division of the Royal Navy. The RNZN was not created until 1 October 1941. Within six months of its creation the RNZN commissioned twelve Class B Fairmiles
Fairmile B motor launch
The Fairmile B motor launch was a type of Motor Launch built by Fairmile Marine during the Second World War for the Royal Navy for coastal operations.-Design:...
and sixteen Harbour Defence Motor Launch
Harbour Defence Motor Launch
The Harbour Defence Motor Launch was a British small motor vessel of the Second World War.The HDML was designed by W J Holt at the Admiralty in early 1939. During the war, 486 HDMLs were constructed, mainly by yacht builders, in the United Kingdom and a number of other allied countries...
es (HDMLs)
RNZN Fairmiles
On 4 April 1941 the British War Cabinet approved a proposal for a striking force of anti-submarine motor-boats, six at AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, four at Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, and two at Lyttelton
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
. Drawings and specifications of the Fairmile anti-submarine motorboat developed by Fairmile Marine
Fairmile Marine
Fairmile Marine was a British boat building company founded in 1939 by the car manufacturer Noel Macklin.Macklin used the garage at his home at Cobham Fairmile in Surrey for manufacturing assembly which is why the boats he designed came to be called Fairmiles....
were sent from England and it was agreed that these craft could be built in New Zealand providing the engines, ordnance and some prefabricated components came from England.
The Class B Fairmiles
Fairmile B motor launch
The Fairmile B motor launch was a type of Motor Launch built by Fairmile Marine during the Second World War for the Royal Navy for coastal operations.-Design:...
were 112 feet (34.1 m) long, displaced 85 tons and had a complement of 16. Twin 12-cylinder petrol engines generated 630 hp on each of two shafts for a speed of 20 knots (39.2 km/h). They were armed with a 2 pdr
Ordnance QF 2 pounder
The Ordnance QF 2-pounder was a British anti-tank and vehicle-mounted gun, employed in the Second World War. It was actively used in the Battle of France, and during the North Africa campaign...
gun, a 20 mm Oerlikon cannon, twin 0.303 in machine guns and 12 depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
s, and were fitted with ASDIC (sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
).
The orders were distributed among four Auckland firms. The estimated cost of each vessel was £35,000, making a total of £420,000 for the twelve. Delays occurred in the delivery of prefabricated components, the difficulty in getting supplies of first-class kauri timber and a serious shortage of skilled labour.
The newly formed RNZN commissioned the 12 Class B Fairmiles on 20 December 1943 and assigned pendant numbers Q 400 through to Q 411. The boats were not initially named, and were identified only through their pendant numbers.
| Pendant | Reassigned (later) | Commissioned | Career | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q 400 | 1943-1945 | Suffered engine room fire and explosion. | ||
| Q 401 | 1943-1945 | |||
| Q 402 | 1943-1945 | |||
| Q 403 | 1943-1946 | |||
| Q 404 | 1943-1945 | |||
| Q 405 | 1943-1945 | |||
| Q 406 | 1943-1945 | Now privately owned by Owen Woodbridge and named "Motunui" | ||
| Q 407 | 1943-1945 | |||
| Q 408 | 1943-1945 | |||
| Q 409 | HMNZS Maori (P3570) HMNZS Maori (P3570) HMNZS Maori was a Fairmile B Motor Launch of the Royal New Zealand NavyOriginally commissioned on 20 December 1943 with pennant number Q 409, she was part of the 80th Motor Launch Flotilla. Early in 1944 she went to the Solomon Islands where she served under the operational control of COMSOPAC... |
1943-1945 1953-1963 |
Re-purchased in 1953 and recommissioned as HMNZS Maori (P3570). | Sold in 1963 to become the Auckland Auckland The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world... -Waiheke ferry Iris Moana. |
| Q 410 | 1943-1945 | |||
| Q 411 | HMNZS Kahu I (P3571) HMNZS Kahu (P3571) HMNZS Kahu I was a Fairmile B motor launch of the Royal New Zealand Navy.Originally commissioned on 20 December, 1943, with the pendant number Q 411, she was part of the 80th Motor Launch Flotilla... |
1943-1945 1947-1965 |
Recommissioned from 1947 to 1965 as HMNZS Kahu I (P3571). |
The first Fairmile constructed, Q 403, was launched on 29 September 1942 and commissioned on 21 October 1942. Thereafter the completed boats were delivered at short intervals. All the boats were completed and were then recommissioned into the newly formed RNZN on 20 December 1943.
RNZN Fairmiles in the Solomons
On 14 January 1944, Admiral HalseyAdmiral Halsey
Admiral Halsey may refer to:*U.S. Admiral William Halsey, Jr., b. 1882*British Admiral Lionel Halsey, b. 1872*The Paul McCartney song "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey"...
, Commander South Pacific, informed the New Zealand Naval Board that the "current employment of Japanese submarines and estimates of their future employment indicate immunity from the submarine menace in New Zealand waters". He proposed that the New Zealand Fairmile motor launches should be employed in the Solomon Islands, relieving American destroyers and patrol vessels for duty elsewhere.
The twelve Fairmiles were refitted for service in tropical waters and formed into the 80th and 81st Motor Launch Flotillas. The 80th Flotilla consisted of MLs 401 to 406 and the 81st Flotilla of MLs 407 to 411. The flotillas were based at Renard Sound in the Russell Islands
Russell Islands
The Russell Islands are two small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands. They are located approximately 48 km northwest from Guadalcanal. The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at...
. The base was named Kahu and for administrative purposes ML400 was commissioned on 1 April 1944 as HMNZS Kahu
HMNZS Kahu (P3571)
HMNZS Kahu I was a Fairmile B motor launch of the Royal New Zealand Navy.Originally commissioned on 20 December, 1943, with the pendant number Q 411, she was part of the 80th Motor Launch Flotilla...
. During the seventeen months of their service in the Solomons, from March 1944 until June 1945, the twelve Fairmiles logged 380000 miles (611,549.2 km) on anti-submarine screen patrols and on escorting ships. They had no encounters with Japanese forces.
RNZN Fairmiles post war
All the fairmiles returned to Auckland in July 1945. In 1946-47 all but Q 411 were sold to private buyers who used them for passenger and/or cargo service or as pleasure craft. Q 411 was sold in 1965. Q 409 was repurchased by the navy in 1953 and resold in 1963 to become the AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
-Waiheke ferryIris Moana. Two other former fairmiles were renamed the Ngaroma and the Colville and used as the main ferries between Auckland and Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island is a large island of New Zealand, situated to the north-east of central Auckland in the outer Hauraki Gulf. With an area of it is the fourth-largest island of New Zealand's main chain of islands, with its highest point, Mount Hobson, rising...
. They were skippered by Len Sowerby and his son Lester.
RNZN Harbour Defence Launches
Sixteen Harbour Defence Motor LaunchHarbour Defence Motor Launch
The Harbour Defence Motor Launch was a British small motor vessel of the Second World War.The HDML was designed by W J Holt at the Admiralty in early 1939. During the war, 486 HDMLs were constructed, mainly by yacht builders, in the United Kingdom and a number of other allied countries...
es (HDMLs) purchased in the United States were commissioned between March 1943 and March 1944. The launches were 72 feet (21.9 m) long, displaced 54 tons and had a complement of 10. Twin Diesels generated 270 hp on each of two shafts for a speed of 12 knots (23.5 km/h). They were armed with one 20mm Oerlikons
Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is a series of autocannons, based on an original design by Reinhold Becker of Germany, very early in World War I, and widely produced by Oerlikon Contraves and others...
, three Vickers K
Vickers K machine gun
Not to be confused with the Vickers light machine gunThe Vickers K machine gun, known as the Vickers Gas Operated in British service, was a rapid-firing machine gun developed and manufactured for use in aircraft by Vickers-Armstrongs...
machine guns and six depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
s.
| Pendant | Reassigned (1950) | Commissioned | Career | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1183 | HMNZS Mako (P3551) | 1943-1976 | Laid up 1945. Fishery protection 1946-72. Survey 1972-76, Wellington. Sold 1976. | Left RNZN 1976. Berthed at Pakuranga as launch Mako . Been refitted and in Australia (possibly Adelaide).2011 Now based in Brisbane, owner Dale Raby. |
| Q1184 | Paea (P3553) | 1943-1955 | Laid up 1945. Fishery protection 1946-72. Survey 1972-76 Auckland. Reserves 1975-77. Sold 12/84. | In Picton 2005 being restored to wartime configuration by private owner. Purchased by Keith and Heather in 2008 and bought to Auckland. Now moored at Kauri Point in Auckland and used regularly for pleasure. |
| Q1185 | Manga (P3567) | 1943-1960 | Laid up 1945. Trans'd to NZ Army as Bombardier. Returned from Army 1959. Fishery protection 1960-67.Survey 1974, Wellington. Sold 1982. | Left RNZN 1980. Said to be at Kaipara for rebuilding. Owner bought boat ashore and bulldozed. Also owns Kuparu. |
| Q1186 | 1943-1945 | Laid up 1945. Dismantled by RNZN and sold 1946. | Left RNZN 1948. Rebuilt as Wings Afloat. Went to Sydney 1970. Possibly then to Fiji. | |
| Q1187 | Tarapunga I (P3566) | 1943-1955 | Laid up 1945. Lent to Auckland Coast Guard 1947-50, Reserves 1951-80, Survey 1979-83, Wellington. Sold 3/84. | Left RNZN 1983. Reverted to name Tarapunga. Possibly moored Tamaki River. Now in Picton (2008) owned by Steve and Kim who live aboard at Picton Wharf (along with their cat) |
| Q1188 | Takapu I (P3556) | 1943-1955 | Laid up 1945. Reserves 1951-80. Survey 1981, Dunedin. Renamed Kahawai (II) in 1981. Sold 3/84. | Left RNZN 1983. Reverted to name Takapu. Chartered out of Whakatane until 2004. Possibly Pelorus Sound 2005. |
| Q1189 | 1943-1945 | Laid up 1945. Sold 1946. | Left RNZN 1946. Became Sea Scout vessel Alert in Dunedin . Known to be in Milford Sound 1980 on deer recovery | |
| Q1190 | Parore (P3562) | 1943-1967 | Laid up 1945. Reserves 1951-80. Fishery protection 1974-77. Survey, Wellington. Sold 1977. | Left RNZN 1976. At Evans Bay Wellington as launch Parore. Sold late 2008 from Nelson and now moored at Shakespeare Bay, Picton. |
| Q1191 | Kahawai I (P3553) | 1943-1966 | Laid up 1945. Fishery protection 1974-77. Survey 1972, Auckland & Dunedin. Sold 1976. | Left RNZN 1976. Said to be ashore at Kopu in 1984 for refitting |
| Q1192 | Maroro (P3554) | 1943-1967 | Laid up 1945. Reserves 1951-80. Fishery protection 1964-72. Sold 1972. Wrecked in Fiji, 27/8/82. | Left RNZN 1972. Went to Fiji as Viti 1972. Wrecked near Lautoka 1982 |
| Q1193 | Tamure (P3555) | 1943-1945 | Laid up 1945. Originally served with Fiji Naval Reserves to 1957 as HMS VITI. Renamed Ngapona (II) in 1958. Survey 1959-68, Auckland. Sold 3/73. | Served in Fiji (RFNVR) 1955-59 Ngapona 1959- Left RNZN 1973 Sold for charter work. Sank at Tutukaka 1982. Salvaged. Rebuilt as launch Tamure 1987. Possibly at Te Atutu. Moored at Greenhithe and owned by Don, West Harbour ferry captain. |
| Q1194 | Ngapona I (P3561) | 1943-1967 | Laid up 1945. Survey 1948-57. Sold 1957. Wrecked near Coromandel after grounding 11/57. | Grounded Coromandel 1957, broken up 1958 |
| Q1348 | Kuparu (P3563) | 1943-1967 | Laid up 1945. Fishery protection & Survey 1972-84, Christchurch(Lyttleton). Sold 1984. | Fairly heavily rebuilt after collision with Admiralty Steps in mid 80's. Ended service 1989. Mothballed for museum but not used and sold by RNZN in 2002. Possibly now in Kaipara Harbour. On hard in house moving yard in Helensville. Boat in very, very sad state. |
| Q1349 | Haku (P3565) | 1944-1964 | Laid up 1945. Fishery protection 1964-72. Survey 1973, Canterbury. Sold 1982. | Left RNZN on charter 1947. Became Black Watch, used for charity excursions. Reclaimed by RNZN 1952. Tamaki Tram duties. Left RNZN again 1980. Fitted with mast and ketch rig and became Black Watch again. In Auckland 2004 |
| Q1350 | Koura (P3564) | 1944-1967 | Laid up 1945. Fishery protection & Survey 1973-84, Otago & Auckland, Museum ship 1984 at Paeroa. | Left RNZN 1984. Currently (2006) at Paeroa Maritime Historical Park in a sad state |
| Q1351 | 1944-1945 | Laid up 1945. Sold 1946. | Left RNZN 1946. Became Mt Maunganui Ferry Aotearoa 1951. Became Pakatoa Is Ferry Pakatoa 1965. Beached above Whenuapai 1985. |
They operated as the 124th and 125th Motor Launch Flotillas, based on Auckland and Wellington respectively. They maintained anti-submarine
Anti-submarine weapon
An anti-submarine weapon is any one of a range of devices that are intended to act against a submarine, and its crew, to destroy the vessel or to destroy or reduce its capability as a weapon of war...
patrols inside indicator loops. Though they were not tested by enemy action, the anti-submarine fixed defences at Wellington and Auckland attained a high degree of efficiency.
After the war, twelve were retained, three were sold and one was transferred to the Army. The remaining boats were refitted and re-engined with Foden diesels. These were subsequently used as fishery protection, survey and reserve training boats. All remaining boats were named and given new pendant numbers in 1950.
See also
- Axis naval activity in New Zealand watersAxis naval activity in New Zealand watersA small number of Axis surface raiders and submarines operated in New Zealand Waters during World War II.-Surface raiders:The following German surface raiders operated in New Zealand waters: *Small auxiliary raider Adjutant *Tanker Ole Jacob A small number of Axis surface raiders and submarines...
- Minesweepers of the Royal New Zealand NavyMinesweepers of the Royal New Zealand NavyCommissioned minesweepers and danlayers of the Royal New Zealand Navy from its formation on 1 October 1941 to the present. The RNZN was created two years into World War II...
- Coastal fortifications of New Zealand
- Coastal Forces of the Royal NavyCoastal Forces of the Royal NavyCoastal Forces was a division of the Royal Navy established duringWorld War II under the command of Rear Admiral Coastal Forces. -History:The Royal Navy had previously operated flotillas of small torpedo- and depth-charge-armed craft during the First World WarThe first Headquarters was set up at ...
External links
- Photo of RNZN Fairmile Bs
- Wartime picture of ML Q 411 (Kahu P3571) (scroll to bottom)
- Picture of the Ngaroma and Iris Moana ferries ( ex fairmiles)
- The Iris Moana
- Photos of RNZN HDMLs
- New Zealand HDMLs
- RNZN Museum - Defending New Zealand Waters
- RNZN Museum - The Battle for the Solomons 1942
- Indicator loops of the Royal New Zealand Navy