HMNZS Fairmile Q401

HMNZ Fairmiles

Built: Auckland 1942-43
Type: Patrol Craft
Pennant No.:Q400-Q411
Displacement: 73 tons std., 88 tons full load
Length: 112 ft /34.1 m Beam: 18.2 ft / 5.5 m Draft:5.2 ft,/1.6 m
Propulsion: 2 x 12 cyl. Hall Scott ‘Defender, bhp 1260. twin shafts, petrol Speed: 18.5 knots
Complement: 16
Armament: 1 x 2 pdr., 1x 20mm, 2 Lewis MG, 1 x ‘Y’ gun, 12 x DC

On 4 April 1941 the British War Cabinet approved a proposal for a striking force of anti-submarine motor-boats, six at Auckland, four at Wellington, and two at Lyttelton. Drawings and specifications of the Fairmile Class B anti-submarine motorboat developed by Fairmile Marine were sent from England and it was agreed that these craft could be built in New Zealand providing the engines, ordnance and some prefabricated components came from England.

The orders were distributed among four Auckland firms. The estimated cost of each vessel was £35,000, making a total of £420,000 for the twelve. They were built using prefabricated hull parts from Fairmile Marine Co. with local timber (kauri) for double-diagonal hull planking, decking, hardwood keel, stem and sternposts. Delays were frequent due to awaiting the delivery of prefabricated components, first-class kauri timber and a serious shortage of skilled labour.

ML 403 was launched on 29 September 1942 and commissioned on 21 October. Thereafter the completed boats were delivered at short intervals until the last of them, ML 411, was commissioned on 20 December 1943. They were formed into the 80th (Auckland) and 81st (Wellington) Motor Launch Flotillas and were employed for anti-submarine patrols in the port approaches.

In February and March 1944 the flotillas moved to the Solomon Islands, calling at Norfolk Island, Noumea and Espiritu Santo. HMNZS Scarba escorted them as far as Noumea. Under the operational control of Comsopac (Commander South Pacific) they were based at Renard Sound in the Russell islands and used mainly for anti-submarine patrols there and at Guadalcanal. They also escorted ships as far north as Bougainville, New Georgia and New Ireland. In July 1945 they returned to NZ, each launch having averaged 2400 miles every month. They did not encounter any Japanese forces.

The crews paid off in August 1945 and the launches were moored for disposal. They were widely sought for private or passenger use and were a familiar sight around NZ for many years.

 

HMNZS Fairmile Q401