Movie about HMNZS KIWI

I did say in the last post that we had been working on some interesting projects and one of them is the probable movie going to be made by a couple of New Zealand film makers about the HMNZS KIWI Ship No 315 and her part in the attack on the huge Japanese submarine I-1 which was successfully carried out by KIWI along with her sister ship HMNZS MOA Ship No 314 also built at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb.
The movie is going to concentrate on the extraordinary act of bravery carried out by one of her crew as the two small ships took on their formidable foe.
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During the entire battle the Kiwi’s searchlight and signalling lamp were trained on the submarine.  The searchlight was controlled by Leading Signalman Campbell Buchanan at considerable risk to himself.  Into the action Buchanan was hit and although mortally wounded remained at his post uncomplaining until relieved.  He died of his wounds at Tulagi the following day.  This act of courage won him the US Navy Cross and a posthumous mention in dispatches.  . In a fierce action that lasted more than an hour, Kiwi rammed the submarine three times before I-1 finally struck a reef and was wrecked.

 

Look out for updates on this story which reminds me that I need to get some more information about the ship and her dimensions over to the guys in New Zealand (So if you read this Evan I will get it done and sent to you soon)

 

HMNZS KIWI seen in dry-dock after ramming the Japanese Sub I-1 in 1943

 

 

PURIRI II and MAMAKU

Two ships built at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb for one of the famous shipping companies of New Zealand


The coasters PURIRI II (Ship No 363) and MAMAKU (Ship No 389) were built for the Anchor Steamship Company, of New Zealand.

PURIRI II was a replacement vessel for the original PURIRI also built at the Leith Shipyards but sunk during World War II

PURIRI II with her old wooden Bridge House

(Photo is copyright of Barry Noel and shown here by permission)

The Twin Screw M.V. MAMAKU was very similar to other coasters built for New Zealand waters, real work horses and nothing too fancy about them, based on a design first conceived during the war. With the old classic look of wooden bridge structure.

M.V.MAMAKU with her wood Bridge Structure shown in port in New Zealand.

(Photograph is copyright by Barry Noel and shown here by permission)

Lots more new and exclusive photographs can be seen on the ships pages at Leithshipyards website.

(Thanks to Barry Noel photography)