H.M.N.Z.S. WAIKATO
The H.M.N.Z.S. WAIKATO was sunk 25th Nov 2000 2 miles south of Tutukaka entrance in Ngunguru Bay. She is sitting upright on sand with a slight list to port. The shallowest part is 8 meters from the surface. There are 4 mooring ropes attached to the hull. The Waikato bow is facing to the east.
Waikato stripped and under tow to Tutukaka to be readied for sinking
The sinking on Saturday 25th Nov 2000.
(Click on photo for enlarged
photo)
After holes were cut in her hull by explosives the HMNZS Waikato sunk within 2 minutes. The Poor Knights Islands, the HMNZS Waikato and HMNZS Tui has made Tutukaka New Zealand's leading dive destination.
HISTORY
HMNZS Waikato was built by Harland & Wolfe Ltd, Belfast, and launched by HRH Princess Alexandra on 18 February 1965.
She was the first Leander Class frigate to be built for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The ship took her name from the North Island province of Waikato and was the first New Zealand commissioned naval vessel to bear the name. She was adopted by the Waikato city of Hamilton and the ships company participated in a final Charter Parade in the city as part of the decommissioning. Which took place at the Devonport Naval Base Twelve former Commanding Officers including former Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Sir Neil Anderson and current Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Fred Wilson attended the decommissioning ceremony in July 1998.HMNZS Waikato was built by Harland & Wolfe Ltd, Belfast, and launched by HRH Princess Alexandra on 18 February 1965. She was the first Leander Class frigate to be built for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The ship took her name from the North Island province of Waikato and was the first New Zealand naval vessel to bear the name. She was adopted by the Waikato city of Hamilton and the ships company participated in a final Charter Parade in the city as part of the decommissioning. Which took place at the Devonport Naval Base Twelve former Commanding Officers including former Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Sir Neil Anderson and current Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Fred Wilson attended the decommissioning ceremony in July 1998. HMNZS Waikato was fitted with modern air and surface warning radar and navigation aids along with undersea detection equipment. The ships twin 115mm guns had a long range and a high rate of fire, controlled by a computer fed with radar information. The ships crest features a Taniwha, a water monster and legendary guardian of the Waikato people and their river.
Specification
DISPLACEMENT 3182 Tonnes LENGTH 113.4 metres BEAM 12.4 metres DRAUGHT 5.6 metres MACHINERY Twin steam turbines driving twin shafts 30,000 horsepower total ARMAMENT Twin 115mm guns Wasp helicopters carrying homing torpedoes Two twin barreled torpedo tubes. One Phalanx closed weapon system. SPEED 30 knots COMPLEMENT 239 (19 Officers)
Below are some photos taken of the H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato before and after she was decommissioned.
Main Control
Taken from the bow.
155 mm gun turret
Corridor
Chopper Hanger
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