10 May 2016

Navy Commemorates the Loss of HMS PURIRI And Crew

Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) personnel will take part in ceremonies this Saturday to mark the 75th anniversary of the sinking of HMS PURIRI, the only New Zealand naval ship lost to enemy action in New Zealand waters.

Five of her crew were killed, including the captain, Lieutenant (LT) Douglas Blacklaws, Royal Naval Reserve (New Zealand).

HMS PURIRI was a merchant vessel commissioned into service as a minesweeper. She sank after striking a mine about eight nautical miles northeast of Bream Head, Whangarei, on 14 May 1941.

A dawn blessing by local iwi in which the Navy’s Maori Culture Group will take part, will be followed by an 11am ceremony at the HMS PURIRI memorial attended by members of the Navy’s mine disposal unit, the Littoral Warfare Unit.

The ceremony is part of the Navy’s Operation Neptune 75th anniversary calendar and will be attended by the Mayor of Whangarei, Sheryl Mai, Merchant Navy representatives, including veterans, and family of the late LT Blacklaws.

Director of Operation Neptune, Captain (CAPT) Andy Watts, said the ceremony was particularly relevant for the Littoral Warfare Unit, which conducts mine clearance operations in the Pacific Islands.

“A key role of the Navy’s Littoral Warfare Unit is to identify and clear mines to ensure waterways are safe for the shipping that carries 98% of New Zealand’s imports and exports by volume.

“It’s important also to note the role of the Merchant Navy in sustaining New Zealand’s national life during World War II. This commemoration highlights that the relationship between the RNZN and the Merchant Navy is just as important now as it was 75 years ago,” said CAPT Watts.

Media are invited to attend both ceremonies. CAPT Watts will be available for interview.

For the full calendar and more information about the Royal New Zealand Navy 75th commemorations, please visit www.nznavy75.co.nz

ENDS

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