HMNZS ''Wakakura'' (T00) was originally a

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

naval trawler Naval trawlers are vessels built along the lines of a fishing trawler but fitted out for naval purposes; they were widely used during the First and Second World Wars. Some—known in the Royal Navy as "Admiralty trawlers"— were purpose-built ...

built in Canada. Ordered by the

Admiralty Admiralty most often refers to: *Admiralty, Hong Kong *Admiralty (United Kingdom), military department in command of the Royal Navy from 1707 to 1964 *The rank of admiral *Admiralty law Admiralty can also refer to: Buildings * Admiralty, Traf ...

, the vessel, named ''TR 1'', was loaned to the

Royal Canadian Navy The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN; french: Marine royale canadienne, ''MRC'') is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2021, the RCN operates 12 frigates, four attack submar ...

for use on the East Coast of Canada. She was purchased by New Zealand in 1926 and transferred to the

Royal New Zealand Navy The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN; mi, Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa, , Sea Warriors of New Zealand) is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. The fleet currently consists of nine ships. The Navy had its origins in the Naval Defence Act ...

when it was established in 1941. She displaced 530 tons standard, could manage and was equipped with a gun during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. ''Wakakura'' is a

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word which means "precious canoe" or "training boat"

War service

''Wakakura'' remained in commission throughout the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

as a training vessel and minesweeper. For the first part of the war she was part of the 28th Minesweeper Flotilla, until the flotilla was transferred overseas. From then the ''Wakakura'' was based at Lyttleton.

"A little trawler paid a big part in the lives of New Zealand's pre-war and wartime naval reservists. Her Majesty's Trawler (later HMNZS) Wakakura, purchased from the Royal Navy scrap heap 'as is, where is' to be a training ship, also left an impression on various wharves and a couple of other ships as she roamed from port to port around New Zealand instructing young would-be sailors in naval procedures."

During 1944 the ''Wakakura'' reported that it had sighted and depth charged a Japanese submarine of the Canterbury Coast, possible sinking it. Naval historians concluded that while it was possible for Japanese submarines to be in the area, at that stage of the war it was unlikely. The ship\s bell was installed in the Devonport Naval Base Chapel.

Cargo vessel

After the war in 1947 she was sold to the Tasman Steamship Company owned by a syndicate of 17 former merchant seamen. The ship was renamed SS ''Wakakura'' and converted to a refrigerated cargo vessel for use on the trans-Tasman run from Auckland and Wellington to Sydney. The ships maiden voyage as a merchant ship was in October 1947 under Captain F A Barrett from Auckland to Sydney. The newspaper stated that the voyage across the Tasman Sea was expected to take 6 days. By 1948 the company decided that the ship was to small for the Trans-Tasman run and decided to purchase a larger vessel. The ship had made seven return voyages by the time. The Fiji Government owned motor ship ''Viti'' was acquired by the company as a replacement. When the ''Viti'' entered service the ''Wakakura'' was used for coastal shipping. The company put the ship up for sale in November 1950.Wakakura for Sale, Otago Daily Times, 2 November 1950, Page 6

References

* Harker, Jack S. (2006) ''Left hand down a bit! : the Wakakura story.'' Kotuku Media. * McDougall, R J (1989) ''New Zealand Naval Vessels.'' Government Printing Office. * Walters, Sydney David (1956) ''The Royal New Zealand Navy: Official History of World War II'', Department of Internal Affairs, Wellingto
Online

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wakakura Ships built in Ontario 1917 ships World War I minesweepers of the United Kingdom Castle-class trawlers of the Royal New Zealand Navy World War II minesweepers of New Zealand

War service

Cargo vessel

See also

References

External links