RNZN Communicators Association
General Updates

Time for a Question!

Frank Rands

Jim D has kindly kicked off question time with the following.  Click play to listen.

The Answer is –  Endeavour. The name was changed with the commissioning of the  Trans-Antarctic vessel Endeavour.  Click on image to enlarge.  Thanks John B for the image.
endeavour
Ailanthus Class Net Laying Ship:

  • Laid down, 1 May 1943, as Yard Net Tender Satinwood (YN-89) at American Car and Foundry Co., Wilmington, DE.
  • Reclassified Net Laying Ship (AN-76), 17 January 1944
  • Launched, 23 May 1944
  • Delivered to the Navy, 5 August 1944
  • Transferred under Lend Lease to the United Kingdom 5 August 1944
  • Commissioned as boom defense vessel HMS Pretext (Z-284)
  • Custody returned to the US Navy, 22 November 1945, at Norfolk, VA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 26 March 1946
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal
  • Sold, 20 July 1947 by the War Shipping Administration (WSA) to Falkland Island Dependencies Survey
  • Converted to a Survey Ship and renamed RRS John Biscoe
  • Renamed RRS Pretext, June 1956
  • Acquired by Royal New Zealand Navy, 15 August 1956
  • Refitted by John L Thornycroft and Co., Ltd, for Antarctic service
  • Commissioned HMNZS Endeavour
  • Decommissioned in 1962
  • Sold in June 1962 for commercial service to Mayhaven Shipping Co. refitted as a Sealer, renamed Arctic Endeavour
  • Final Disposition, 11 November 1982, sunk or foundered at Catalina, Newfoundland