HMNZS Hawea (F422)

HMNZS "Hawea" (F422) was one of six "Loch" class frigates of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

She saw brief wartime service with the Royal Navy as HMS "Loch Eck". In February 1945 she took part in sinking two U-boats north of the Shetland Islands.

"Loch" class frigates were designed for anti-submarine ocean convey escort work. Since the Admiralty named them after Scottish lakes they were renamed after New Zealand lakes. Lake Hawea is a glacial lake located in the Central Otago region of New Zealand. The name is Māori and is thought to refer to a local tribe though the exact meaning is uncertain. "Hawea" was the first of three ships with this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Korean war service

The Korean war started on 25 Jun 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the 38°N parallel and invaded South Korea.

The New Zealand Government decided to maintain two frigates in support of a United Nations Naval Force assisting South Korea. "Hawea's" sister ships, "Pukaki" and "Tutira", were hurriedly prepared for war service and sailed for Sasebo, their main base in Japan, on 3 Jul 1950.

They did escort and patrol services , often working with Commonwealth, South Korean and other allied ships, and in support of amphibious landings. The frigates were rotated in turn with the other four "Loch" frigates.

For "Hawea's" turn she departed for Korea on 2 Mar 1951 and returned on 8 Mar 1952. She had the distinction of firing the first shots in anger.

On 15 Sep 1951 "Hawea" had a 7.6 m (25 ft) motor boat swamped and sunk in the Han River estuary , Western Korea, while navigating swift tidal channels to reach a bombardment position.

Other service and incidents

On 22 Mar 1949 "Hawea" participated in sinking the coal hulk "Occident" in Palliser Bay.

In late December 1956, "Hawea" with her sister ship "Pukaki" escorted the Antarctic supply ship "Endeavour" from Bluff to the edge of the pack ice.

Fate

On 15 Nov 1965 "Hawea" was paired with "Pukaki" and towed by the tug "Atlas" to Hong Kong for breaking up.

ee also

Frigates of the Royal New Zealand Navy

References

* McDougall, R J (1989) "New Zealand Naval Vessels." Page 37-41. Government Printing Office. ISBN 9780477013994