VIP.WB12
Some HDMLs also had a set of telegraphs fitted. The main
steering position was on the open bridge where there were two
engine room telegraphs, the main compass, and voice pipes to
the inside steering position and engine room.
Aft of the engine room there was accommodation on the port
side for the Coxswain and the Engineer. This included a toilet
and wash hand basin. To starboard was the radio shack. The
two commissioned officers had quite spacious accommodation
in the wardroom aft, although there was considerable noise and
vibration from the propeller shafts. The last compartment aft was
the tiller flat. Of the 486 HDMLs built, 332 were built in the UK,
73 in USA and the remainder were built in Australia, Bombay,
Calcutta, Ceylon, Egypt, Karachi, Kenya, Rangoon, Singapore
and South Africa.
Following the entry of Japan into the Second World War the
New Zealand Government decided to protect Auckland and
Wellington as strategic ports, and magnetic loops were laid at
the port entrances. Suitable anti-submarine craft were needed
to patrol inside the loops. The Admiralty initially ordered 24
HDMLs under a lend-lease arrangement with the US and 12 of
these were allocated to New Zealand for this purpose in February
1942. Four months later another four craft were allocated to NZ.
All these craft were built at three boatyards on the west coast
of the USA, the first 12 (pennant numbers Q1183 ��� 1194) were
powered by Gray Marine diesel engines. Due to Grays being
needed for landing craft the last four (pennant numbers Q1348 ���
1352) were powered by Hercules DNX engines.
All HDMLs were shipped to New Zealand as deck cargo on
freighters, arriving at Auckland and Wellington between January
1943 and February 1944.
WAR SERVICE
While the HDMLs were designed for harbour defence in the
UK, their versatility and sea-keeping qualities proved so good
that they were used in every theatre of operation as the war
progressed. They were found carrying out covert operations
in the Mediterranean, undertaking anti-submarine patrols off
Iceland and convoy escorts off the west coast of Africa. They
Professional ��� Pragmatic ��� Proven
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to deliver a vessel that performs.
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www.marinedesign.co.nz | 09 419 8440
VIP.S84
March/April 2013 Professional Skipper 31
