H ..  M .  S .   L O C H   E C K   ( K 4 2 2 )

 

LOCH-Class Twin Screw Fast Frigate ordered on 25th January 1943 from Smiths Dock, Middlesbrough and laid down as Job Number 4777 (Yard Number 1129) on 25th October 1943.. The ship was launched on 25th April 1944  and the 1st Royal Navy ship to carry the name. Build was completed on 7th November 1944. She was adopted by the civil community of Hexham in the county of Northumberland as replacement for HM Escort Destroyer TYNEDALE which had been adopted in 1942 after a WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign, but sunk off Bougie in December 1943. The ship was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1948 and renamed HMNZS HAWEA.

 

G e o g r a p h i c   D a t a

Inland Loch in Argyll, NW of the Holy Loch and Dunoon.

Grid Reference NS1391

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ATLANTIC 1945 - NORTH SEA 1945

 

Crest: None is recorded in the Official List.

(Note: Many ships of the Class had unofficial crests used during War Service.

 

M a n n i n g   P o r t

Devonport

 

D e t a i ls   o f   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 4 4

 

October                  Contractors trials and commissioned for service with 10th Escort Group in Western

                                Approaches.

                                Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. R C Freaker DSC* RNR.

 

November

                7th          Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

                                On completion of trials and storing took passage to Tobermory for work-up.

 

December              Work-up in continuation.

                                Joined Group at Londonderry.

                                Deployed with Group in Channel and SW Approaches for anti-submarine patrol and support

                                of convoy escorts.

                                At Liverpool for maintenance and leave.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Transferred to Scapa Flow for anti-submarine operations in NW Approaches for interception

                                of  U-Boats on passage in Faeroes Iceland Gap.

                                (Note: These patrols were assisted by ENIGMA information about the movements of

                                submarines which had been decyphered by GCHQ and passed to the CinC Home Home Fleet.

                                See BRITISH INTELLIGENCE IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR Ed. Hinsley (HMSO) and

                                HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

                                Deployed in NW Approaches with HM Frigates BAYNTUN, BRAITHWAITE and sister ship

                                HMS LOCH DUNVEGAN.

 

February

                3rd          In conjunction with ships of Group sank U1279 NW of Shetlands in position 61.21N 02.00W

                                with SQUID Mortar after HEDGEHOG attacks by HMS BAYNTUN and HMS BRAITHWAITE.

                                None of the 48 crew survived. See HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR and U-BI OATS DESTROYED

                                by P Kemp.

                7th          Returned with Group to Scapa Flow to refuel.

                14th        Took part in sinking of U 989 North of Shetlands in Position 61.36N 01.35W with ships of

                                Group by SQUID and HEDGEHOG. See above references.

                                (Note : Only two of the crew survived including the commander of the submarine.

                                Both survivors died soon afterwards from shock, exposure and escape perils.).

                                Ships of 9th Escort Group were also deployed during this patrol).

                17th        Took part in sinking of U1278 North of Shetlands in position 61.32N o1.36W.

                                None of the crew survived. See references.)

                                Returned to Liverpool after call at Londonderry on completion of patrol.

                                (Note : Captain was awarded Bar to his DSC.)

 

March                    Redeployed in Channel and SW Approaches for patrol and support based at Plymouth and

                                Portsmouth as Force 38.

                                Grounded and damaged Asdic Dome.

                                Under repair- at Portsmouth

                                New Commanding Officer appointed: Lieut, Cdr. W Molness RNR

 

April                       On completion of repair resumed Channel and SW Approaches duties in Force 38.

                                Carried out trials on new SONOBUOY submarine detection equipment.

                                For details of new weapons introduced during 1944-5 see THE TORPEDOMEN by A Poland

                                and SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann.

 

May                        Deployed for anti-submarine defence, patrol and support duty in Western Approaches.

                4th          Returned to Londonderry.

                                Nominated for service in East Indies Escort Force after refit.

                23rd        Joined Rosyth Command for support of Norwegian reoccupation (0operation DOOMSDAY)

                                Deployed with HM Frigates PAPUA, BAHAMAS and BAYNTUN.

 

June                        Norwegian support in continuation.

                1st           Escorted U2529 frcm Kristiansund to Loch Erribol.

                                (Note : This U-Boat was to be destroyed as part of Operation DEADLIGHT.

                6th          Deployed with escort for Convoy RN1 taking King Haakon of Norway to Oslo.

                23rd        Taken in hand for refit at Bristol at Charles Hill shipyard

 

July                         Under refit.

 

August                  Carried out post refit harbour trials.

                25th        After ammunitioning took passage to Cardiff from Avonmouth for visit.

                26th        Took passage for foreign service from Cardiff.

                30th        Sailed from Gibraltar.

 

September

                3rd          Sailed from Malta.

                8th          Suez Canal Transit.

                13th        Sailed from Aden.

                20th        At Colombo and prepared for service in support of operations in East Indies.

                                (Note : The end of hostilities in August did not diminish the need for escorts.

                                Apart from the difficulties related to the repatriation of civilian and of dealing with the

                                repatriation of military and civilian personnel, there was signification opposition to

                                to the restoration of Dutch colonial rule by the indigenous population of the Dutch

                                East Indies. To further complicate matters most the ships’ companies were serving

                                for ‘Hostilities only’ and had little in the way enthusiasm for any further service. This

                                made maintenance of morale a continuous problem for Commanding Officers. See

                                SEAGULLS IN MY BELFRY by CC Anderson).

                26th        Took passage from Colombo for Singapore with calls Padang, Penng and Port Swettenham.

 

October

                6th          Arrived at Singapore.

                8th          Sailed for Batavia for support duties.

                12th        At Batavia.

                18th        Took passage to Singapore and escorted landing craft carrying personnel for repatriation.

                22nd       Arrived at Singapore.

 

November

                6th          Deployed for repatriation support duties.

                                Passage to Brakit, Bintang Island from Singapore.

                                Sailed for Manokawi, Anamoa Island.

                7th          At Manowaki and took passage to Singapore.

                8th          Returned to Singapore.

                9th          Sailed for Sabang for Guardship and military support duties

                11th        At Sabang.

                22nd       Took passage with Landing craft from Sabang for return to Singapore.

                25th        Arrived at Singapore

 

December              New Commanding Officer appointed : Lieut. Cdr. P J H Hoare.

                7th          Took passage from Singapore for Guardship and support duties in Java.

                11th        Deployed at Batavia.

                13th        Passage to Sourabaya.

                14th        At Sourabaya.

                17th        Passage to Bali Strait for patrol to intercept craft carrying weapons, personnel and stores to

                                insurgents.

                21st         Return passage to Sourabaya.

                23rd        At Sourabaya for support of military.

 

1 9 4 6

 

January                  Deployed at Sourabaya

                14th        Took passage to Semerang.

                15th        At Semerang and took passage to Singapore.

                                Escorted Landing Craft with RAPWI personnel.

                21st         Arrived at Singapore.

 

February

                8th          Took passage to Sourabaya to relieve HM Frigate LOCH SCAVAIG as Guardship.

                                Media representatives were embarked to attend Formal Surrender of Bali)

                11th        Arrived at Sourabaya

                13th        Passage to Samarang and return passage.

                16th        At Sourabaya.

                22nd       Took passage from Sourabaya to Bali for formal surrender ceremony.

                                Senior Japanese military officers were embarked

                23rd        Arrived at Bali.

                24th        Formal surrender ceremony on Quarterdeck.

                                (Note : Senior British Representative was Colonel P Kemp, Royal Hussars who had been

                                associated with military operations in the area during WW2. The surrender had been

                                offered to Commanding Officer of HM Frigate LOCH SCAVAIG before relief but this

                                was declined in order to ensure maximum attendance of the media)

                26th        Took passage to return to Sourabaya

                27th        At Sourabaya

 

March

                7th          Took passage to Benoa, Bali

                8th          At Benoa.

                10th        Return passage to Sourabaya.

                11th        At Sourabaya.

                15th        Took passage to Benoa with British Mission embarked.

                16th        At Benoa.

                18th        Took passage to Lombok with Mission for formal surrender.

                                At Lombok with Mission.

                21st         Sailed from Lombok for Maccassar

                22nd       At Macassar

                24th        Return passage to Sourabaya

                25th        At Sourabaya.

                27th        Took passage from Sourabaya to Singapore on relief.

 

April

                1st           Arrived at Singapore.

                8th          Took passage to Batavia for Guardship duties with Landing Craft.

                                (Note : These craft were to be used for supply of stores to outlying islands).

                13th        At Batavia.

                18th        Passage to Sourabaya.

                20th        Deployed at Sourabaya.

                27th        Return passage to Batavia.

                29th        At Batavia.

                                (Note : Interception patrol duties during passages).

 

May

                4th          Passage to Semarang, Java.

                5th          At Semarang and return passage to Batavia.

                6th          At Batavia.

                10th        Took passage to Sourabaya.

                12th        At Sourabaya.

                13th        Took passage to Singapore with call at Palembang, Sumatra

                17th        At Palembang.

                18th        Arrived at Singapore.

                                Prepared for return passage to UK to pay off into Reserve.

                20th        Sailed from Singapore to Colombo.

                27th        Arrived at Colombo.

                                In collision with HM Cutter LANDGUARD

                                (Note : This ship was awaiting return to US after Lend Lease service since 1940.

 

June                        Under repair

 

July

                6th          Sailed for Trincomalee to join HM Escort Carrier VENGEANCE and HMS LOCH

                                CRAGGIE.

                                Returned to Trincomalee.

                17th        Took passage from Trincomalee to UK.

                25th        At Aden.

                30th        Transit of Suez Canal

 

August

                8th          Took passage from Gibraltar for Devonport with HMS LOCH CRAGGIE.

                13th        At Devonport to Pay off and reduce to Reserve.

 

September             After de-storing and de-ammunitioning joined Reserve Fleet.

 

October                  Laid-up at Devonport.

to

December

 

1 9 4 7

 

                                In Reserve at Devonport.

 

1 9 4 8

 

January                  Sale to New Zealand negotiated and price of Ł230,050 agreed.

to                            Taken in hand for refit before formal hand-over.

August                  Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to F422.

 

September             Renamed HMNZS HAWEA by Lady Burnett, wife of Admiral Robert Burnett,

                                Commander in. Chief, Plymouth.

                                (Note : First choice of name was MOANA).

 

 

S e r v i c e   a s    H.  M.  N.  Z.  S.   H A W E A   ( F 4 2 2 )

 

Five other LOCH Class Frigates were transferred to the RNZN at the same time and were all given a new name. The choice of lakes in New Zealand was particularly appropriate.

 

G e o g r a p h i c    D a t a

Inland lake in South of Island. Position:  44.30S    169-15E

120 miles NW of Dunedin in the Southern Alps.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

KOREA 1951-53

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Azure in base three bars wavy, Argent, arising therefrom a dexter

 hand grasping a kotiate, Or.

 (Note : This features a Kotiate and wavy lines representing the sea.

It is based on Maori history associated with Lake Hawea in the area of

which four tribes settled after having driven out their predecessors.

The weapon shown is usually made of whalebone or a hardwood Kauri,

common in New Zealand, with its leading edge ground to a sharp finish).

 

Motto

Kia Toa:   'Be brave'

 

D e t a i l s   o f   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 4 8

 

September             At Devonport.

                                Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr  A C B Blomfield DSC** RN.

                                Post refit trials unsatisfactory and repair required.

 

October

                3rd          Commissioned for service in Royal New Zealand Navy..

                                On completion of repair took passage to Malta for work-up for operational service.

                                Worked up with three other LOCH Class Frigates being transferred to RNZN.

 

November              Work-up with Mediterranean Fleet in continuation.

                22nd       Took passage for Auckland from Malta with sister ships, H M New Zealand Frigates TAUPO,

                                PUKAKI and KANIERE.

 

December              Passage through Red Sea and Indian Ocean to Singapore.

 

1 9 4 9

 

January                  Passage from Singapore.

                                Joined 11th Frigate Flotilla on arrival.

                31st         New Commanding Officer appointed : Lieut. B H Clinkard.

 

February                Carried out first patrol in Pacific.

 

March                    Deployed with Flotilla for training and Pacific patrol.

to                            Visits were paid to Suva, Fiji and Samoa.

September

 

October                  Paid off and taken in hand for extensive refit by RNZ Dockyard, Auckland. Structural changes

to                            made to improve command and communications by provision of an Operations Room.

December              Escape scuttles fitted to Lower messdecks.

                                Shaft bearings were replaced by new design.

                                (Note : Similar changes had been made in RN LOCH Class Frigates.)

 

1 9 5 0

 

January                  Under refit.

to                            New Commanding Officer appointed : Lieut. Cdr. TW Stocker, RN.

February

 

March                    Re-commissioned.

                                Carried out post refit trials.

                                Nominated for transfer on loan to 2nd Frigate Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet with sister snip,

                                HMZNS  TAUPO.

                                (Note : HM Frigates ST AUSTELL BAY and VERYAN BAY were exchanged for service in 11th

                                Frigate Flotilla at Auckland).

                                22nd Carried exercises with RNZN and RAN ships including anti-submarine defence with HM

                                Submarine TELEMACHUS.

 

April

                3rd          Took passage for Malta from Auckland with calls at Singapore and Aden.

                                (Note : HMNZS TAUPO was in company.

 

May                        Joined Flotilla in Malta and deployed with Mediterranean Fleet for Exercise and First Summer

to                            Cruise Programme.

July                         Took part in Fleet Regatta at Marmarice, Turkey and won 'Whalers' Cup.

 

August                  Visited Messina.

 

September             Took passage with HMNZS TAUPO to return to New Zealand.

 

October                  Passage from Singapore.

 

November              Rejoined 11th Frigate Flotilla.

 

December              Deployed at Auckland with Flotilla.

 

1 9 5 1

 

January                  Deployed on Pacific patrol.

                                Nominated for service in support of military operations in Korea as relief for HMNZS TUTIRA.

                                Prepared for war service with UN Task Force off Korea.

 

February                Commanding Officer Lieut. Cdr. F N F Johnston RNZN.

                8th          Sailed from Auckland to Kure, Japan with calls at Port Moresby and Hong Kong.

 

March                    Passage to Hong Kong.

                                Official Crest approved by NZ Navy Board.

 

April                       Passage to Kure.

                26th        Arrived at Kure for duty with UN.

 

May                        Deployed for convoy defence, patrol and bombardment duties off the west coast of Korea.

                18th        Bombarded gun position on west coast.

                                (Note : This was first occasion that an RNZN ship fired on the enemy.)

                20th        Covered landing by Royal Marines from HM Cruiser Ceylon on shore installation.

                                Provided naval gunfire support during landing.

 

June                        UN Deployment in continuation.

to                            (Note : During this period the tasks included provision of navigational data for bombardment

December              for bombardment anchorages in Han River estuary for a total period of 23 days.

                                In addition the ship bombarded rail traffic and maintained a blockade to stop enemy

                                supplies being landed by sea.

                                A BBC film crew was embarked for a television documentary.).

 

1 9 5 2

 

January                  UN duty in continuation.

                                Carried cut bombardment of troop concentrations in Han River and. landed shore party to

                                observe fall of shot.

 

February                Relieved by HMNZS ROTOITI.

                                (Note :Ship had spent 73% of her tour of duty at sea.

                3rd          Took passage from Kure to New Zealand with call at Hong Kong.

                9th          At Hong Kong on Accession Day for Accession Day for Queen Elizabeth ,

                                (Note : During UN duties R&R periods spent at Kure

                                Dockyard facilities were available in commercial Japanese shipyard.

                                The main operational base for all UN naval forces was at Sasebo, which was largely

                                dominated by US personnel)

 

March                    Passage from Hong Kong

                8th          Arrived at Auckland.

                                (Statistics: 272 days at sea out of 371 days away from New Zealand,

                                55,000 miles steamed, 21,000 rounds of ammunition expended.

                                Awards:  Captain awarded DSC and later US Legion, of Merit,

                                Engineer Officer Mentioned m Despatches.)

                25th        New Commanding Officer: Lieut.  GR Herring RN.

 

April                       Under refit and maintenance at Auckland

to                            New Commanding Officer appointed : Cdr. G R Davis-Goff, DSC* RN.

June

 

July                         Prepared for 2nd Tour of duty with UN.

                7th          Re-commissioned.

 

August

                4th          Took passage from Auckland to rejoin UN Task Group.

 

September             On passage via Hong Kong.

 

October

                1st           Arrived at Sasebo to relieve HMNZS TAUPO.

                2nd         Sailed for duty off west coast of Korea and deployed as Senior Officer of Task Unit for patrol

                                and bombardment duties.

 

November              Returned to Kure from patrol duties.

                                Visited by New Zealand Minister of Defence at Kure.

                                Resumed patrol and bombardment support duties.

 

December              Deployment for UN west coast bombardment and patrol duties in continuation.

                25th        At Sasebo for Xmas

 

1 9 5 3

 

January                  UN duties in continuation.

to                            Came under fire from shore battery which was returned.

February                Detected underwater contact which proved to be wreck.

                                (Note : No submarine activities were recorded during UN duties).

 

March

                4th          During patrol provided naval gunfire support to garrison on Yang-Do island after landing by

                                enemy troops.

                                Controlled air strikes and under shore lire.

                                Later in month supported Guerrilla raid on mainland and again came under return fire which

                                was avoided by making smoke and varying speed whilst manoeuvring.

 

April                       Deployed for support bombardment in Han River area.

                                Relieved off west coast by HMNZS ROTOITI.

 

May                        UN deployment in continuation.

                                Took passage to Hong Kong for R&R.

 

June

                2nd         Took part in Hong Kong Coronation Day Parade in ANZAC Park with contingent from

                                HMNZS KANIERE.

                                Returned to Japanese water for visit to Beppu.

                                On completion resumed UN patrol duties off west coast.

                11th        After arrival in patrol area deployed for evacuation of personnel from islands north of planned

                                ‘cease fire’ line.

                                Bombarded shore targets and. escorted junks carrying civilian refugees.

 

July                         West coast deployment in continuation.

                23rd        Hostilities ceased but remained in UN service,

 

August                  Took passage to return to New Zealand with call at Hong Kong.

                29th        Arrived at Auckland.

                                (Statistics: Mileage steamed during Tour - 38,000.)

 

September             Taken in hand for refit.

 

October                  Under refit.

to                            New Commanding Officer : Lieut Cdr, J P Tuiloch RNZN.

December

 

1 9 5 4

 

January                  Carried out post refit trials and re-commissioned.

 

February                Rejoined 11th Frigate Flotilla

                                Nominated for Pacific islands patrol and visits.

                                Took passage from Auckland.

 

March                    Deployed for Pacific patrol with calls at Suva, Ocean Island and Nuie.

 

April                       Returned to Auckland.       

 

May                        Visited Dunedin with ships of Flotilla

 

June                        Deployed-at Auckland for Flotilla duties.

to

July

 

August                  Visited Fiji with ships of Flotilla.

 

September             Visited Wellington with Flotilla.

 

October                  Deployed with Flotilla and visited ports in South Island.

 

November              Visited Chatham Island.

 

December              Deployed at Auckland.

 

1 9 5 5

 

January                  Deployed at Auckland.

 

February                Deployed for training duties and visited ports in South Island and Australia.

to

March

 

April                       Taken in hand for refit at Auckland.

 

May                        Under refit.

to

June

 

July                         Carried out post refit trials.

 

August                  Deployed for Pacific patrol with visit to Suva.

                29th        New Commanding Officer appointed : Lieut Cdr R T Hale RNZN

 

September             Deployed for training duties and visited ports in South Island.

 

October                  Training deployment in continuation with visits to Australian ports.

 

November              Deployed for Pacific patrol and visited Suva.

 

December              Deployed for visits to Wellington and ports in South Island.

 

1 9 5 6

 

January                  Deployed at Auckland.

 

February                Under refit at Auckland.

to                            New Commanding Officer appointed: Lieut. C D W J Brown RNZN

July

 

August                  Carried out post refit trials

 

September             Deployed for patrol in SW Pacific and visited Chatham Island and Dunedin.

to

October

 

November              Deployed at Auckland.

                                Prepared for ceremonial duties prior to Royal visit.

                                Nominated for reduction to Reserve status.

 

December              Part of escort for HM Royal Yacht BRITANNIA with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh embarked.

                                On release took passage to Bluff, South Island.

                20th        Escorted HMNZ Antarctic Support Ship ENDEAVOUR from Bluff during passage to Southern

                                Ocean with HMNZS PUKAKI.

                                (Note : HMNZS ENDEAVOUR was taking Sir Edmund Hilary and members of the Trans-Antarctic

                                Expedition to make a trans-polar crossing as part of the International Geophysical Year.)

                                Before arrival at McMurdo Sound had to detach because of the danger presented to hull by

                                pack ice.

                                Carried out oceanographic measurements during inward and outward passages.

 

1 9 5 7

 

January                  Return passage from Southern Ocean to Auckland.

 

February                Paid-off and reduced to Operational Reserve after de-storing.

  

F i n a l   P h a s e

 

HMNZS HAWEA was used as a Harbour Training ship at Auckland until placed on the Disposal List.. The ship was sold for demolition in September1965 and taken in tow to the breaker’s yard at Hong Kong . This name was later used for an RNZN Patrol Craft built in UK.