(Photo courtesy of RNZN Museum)
Ship No 316Third of the three ship order for the New Zealand Navy to be completed in the yard.
This class was based on the design of an experimental Royal Navy minesweeping trawler were the first new ships to enter service with the Royal New Zealand Navy, their principal peace time function was training, and in wartime, minesweeping and escort duties. After working up in Northern England she went to New Zealand In December 1942, the four ships of the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla, comprising the three 'Bird class' corvettes HMNZS Kiwi, Tui, and Moa, with HMNZS Matai as senior ship, had deployed to the Solomons.Ship details:
Type: Bird Class Trawlers
Pennant No.: T234/P33
Launched : 26/08/1941
Commissioned: 26/11/1941
Displacement (full load): 937 tonnes
Dimensions: 51.2m length, 48m height, 9.1m beam, 4.7m draught
Engines: 1-shaft reciprocating engine, oil fired, max speed 13 knots
Armament: 1 x 102mm [4”] gun
Minesweeping equipment
ASDIC [anti-submarine equipment]
1 x twin Hotchkiss light MG mounting
1 x 20mm gun (from 1942), a further 2 x 20mm fitted unofficially in 1943
Complement: 33-35 officers and ratings
(Photo courtesy of RNZN Museum)
The Japanese submarine was more than twice the size of Moa, and there was only 6 survivors from the submarine all picked up by H.M.N.Z.S. Tui and returned to Noumea.
Battle Honours:
Atlantic 1942
Guadalcanal 1942-43
Ship’s Motto:
Tohea te Tohe (Be brave and be determined)
The ship’s motto was approved in February 1952 by the Naval Board.
Japanes Submarine of the Same Class as sunk by H.M.N.Z.S. TUI
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