Maroro & Haku in Fiordland – Mid 60s
Did anyone see a ‘Grounding Report’ for this incident or maybe the Admiral just signed it off as experience. Can only see one ensign flying. Hmmm. Thanks Jasper for the image.
8 thoughts on “Maroro & Haku in Fiordland – Mid 60s”
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Looks like both ships are just resting on the bottom, I can certainly see 2 white ensigns, commissioning and fishery protection pennants flying. The flying of an admirals flag might indicate the annual fishery protection fleet exercise.
Bit of research revealed.
Apparently,the incident was in 1965 at Revolver Bay, which is in Preservation Inlet,Fiordland,at the extreme SW corner of the South Island.
That gives a choice of either RADM, RE Washbourne or JOC Ross being onboard.
I have just had a look at Revolver Bay a la Google Earth and I think that their problem could have been exasperated by the absence of anything resembling a jetty !.
have they actually run aground or have they been in a position where the tide has gone out leaving them looking the way they do, seems strange that two of them would run themselves aground..
thoughts anyone???
Seems logical that the outgoing CNS, RADM Washbourne would be more likely to be the one having a jolly. Not JOC style Come to that. Also, pennant looks like it has some miles on it.
FPML did not practice fishery protection, they did it and on their own. However there were annual RNZNVR exercises involving most of the MLs. Typically they were held in a safe haven like the Marlborough Sounds.
Desperation Inlet at bottom left hand corner of NZ has always demands a high standard of seamanship and even with modern ships and nav aids you go there at your peril.
I understand credit for the photo sent to me by Mole should go to the late ME2 Pat Huxtable.
Its a practice called rafting up. One vessel anchors and others put out fenders and tie up alongside. As for the grounding, where I think they are the chart indicates plenty of water at low tide. But charts can be wrong and that is why you keep anchor watch. Six hours (ish) between high tide and low tide so the problem will get fixed.
Anyway its sarnies for lunch today Sir.
The 2nd Ensign is seen above the life raft of the outboard ML … I eat my carrots by the way!
The incident happened in May,1965. Lt Cdr David Davies was the senior officer and I was the other. In Bluff we were invited to the Invercargill where Admiral Washbourne DSO was being farewelled. I asked him if there was anywhere in NZ that he wished he’d been to. He replied Fiordland. I replied we were going there. So off we went and at dawn found we were in a sorry position. The story is recorded in the book Salty Dits. When the Admiral departed I asked whether I should submit a ‘Collision and Grounding’ report.
With a smile he replied ‘It will make interesting reading’. Ken Beattie was my sparker.
Gerry Wright
CO Haku