HMNZS Puriri (T02)

HMNZS "Puriri" (T02) was a coastal cargo boat which was requisitioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and converted into a minesweeper. She was sunk by a German mine 25 days after she commissioned.

"Puriri" was owned by the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company. She was one of four ships requisitioned as a consequence of the "Orion" minefield and the loss of the liner "Niagara", the others being "Matai", "Gale" and "Rata". She was taken over on 20 November 1940 and handed to the dockyard for conversion.

War career

On 27 November 1940 "Puriri" put to sea urgently to assist "Archilles" in the search for the raiders "Orion" and "Komet", which had sunk the liner "Rangitane". She returned to port three days later and resumed conversion.

She was commissioned on 19 April 1941 into the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla in April 1941, joining "Matai" and "Gale" sweeping for German mines in the Hauraki Gulf. "Rata" was later commissioned into the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla two hours before "Puriri" was sunk.

Her sinking

On 14 May 1941 "Puriri" was sunk by a German mine at position coord|35|46|15|S|174|43|00|E|display=inline, eight miles NE of Bream Head. The sinking should not have happened. The mine she struck had been boughed by the launch "Rawera" the day before and "Puriri" and "Gale" were sent to deactivate it. "Gale" passed the mine without seeing it, but "Puriri" found it in an explosion which sank the ship in a few minutes. Five lives were lost including her commanding officer. "Gale" rescued 26 survivors including 5 injured.

ee also

*Minesweepers of the Royal New Zealand Navy

References

* McDougall, R J (1989) "New Zealand Naval Vessels." Page 69-78. Government Printing Office. ISBN 9780477013994
* Tonson, A.E. [http://www.navyhistory.org.au/hms-puriri-1938-nz-navy/ "HMS Puriri 1938, NZ Navy"] , article in Naval Historical Review - March 1983

Further reading

* Harker, Jack (2000)"The Rockies: New Zealand Minesweepers at War." Silver Owl Press. ISBN 0959797998

External links

* [http://www.petemesley.com/wrecks%20Puriri.htm HMNZS "Puriri"]