HMNZS Fairmile Q403 Later Tiare

First Fairmile built in NZ at Lidgard/Bailey boat builders St Marys Bay being launched ML 403 on 29/9/1942 All the materials where imported from the UK and boat builders where limited to 5% profit by NZGovernment. Date on caption on photo is incorrect.Many of them became work boats and ferries around Auckland after ww2.
Fate – ML 403 was sold to R.T.R Williams of Tauranga who converted it into the fishing and ferry boat”Tiare”. By 1952 a victim of poor maintenance it deterioated badly. In 1955 was sailed to Raglan to have its engines and fittings removed. The hull lay empty and abandanded until 1957 when it was beached and rotted away.

ML403’s launching

HMNZS Fairmiles – Q401, Q403 and Q404 and others

Fairmile B class patrol craft ML403 underway during exercises with HMNZS Leander and RNZAF Harvard planes c1940s.

An original black and white photograph of Fairmile Q403 in the Hauraki Gulf. Port side view of a small warship, Q403 on the bow, crew fallen in abreast of the superstructure. There is a second warship in the background right. On the reverse are the notes “70” “Fairmile Q403” in pencil. Auckland, Circa 1943.

HMNZS Fairmile Q403 at sea June 1943.

Photograph: Fairmile Q403 underway in Rangitoto Channel, Auckland, circa 1943
Maker
Collins, Tudor Washington (b.1898, d.1970)
Production date
1943?

Q403 Gunnery practice

Fairmile B class patrol craft ML403 underway during exercises with HMNZS Leander and RNZAF Harvard planes c1940s.

HMNZS Fairmile Q403
This special alloy CW engine remained in 2007, but had been removed by 2011

Fate – HMNZS Fairmile Q403 – sold 3/47 to RTR Williams, named Tiare, ON 178418, ferry and excursion fishing, Tauranga, 1947-52. Sold c. 1955, strippedat Raglan 1956-57, engines and fittings to the 27m yacht, Hamilton 1958. Hull beached at Paritata Point, Raglan Harbour, 1957 and abandoned.