HMNZS Fairmile Q411 Later Kahu

More photos here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/05/31/kahu-2/

Never finished the refit

Contracts were awarded in 1941 to four Auckland boatyards to construct a total of 12 Fairmile Class B anti-submarine motor boats. Plans and prefabricated keel framing were provided by the British Admiralty and the hull, decking and superstructure were to be completed with local timber. The stem and sternposts were formed from Pohutukawa and the hull was two layers of Kauri planking. Engines, ordnance and many fasteners and fittings used in their installation were also imported from UK. The first Fairmile was finished in Oct-42 and the last by Dec-43 and along the way there were delays in shipping of components and obtaining sufficient Kauri that prevented the project being completed sooner. During this time the vessels began coastal patrols with six based in Auckland, four in Wellington and two from Lyttelton.
However by the end of 1943 there was little further threat of enemy attack in the vicinity and in January 1944 it was agreed to deploy all the Fairmiles to the Solomon Islands and under the control of US Navy. They sailed in three groups during late February via Noumea and arrived together at Russell Islands in early March organised as the 80th ML and 81st ML flotillas. They commenced anti-submarine patrols in the Guadalcanal, Tulagi and Russell Islands area. The launches added to the existing RNZN presence in the Campaign as the 25th Minesweeping flotilla had already seen much action there .The NZ Army 3rd Division were also deployed nearby as were squadrons of RNZAF aircraft. The Fairmiles continued on patrol and escort duties in the region until they were withdrawn in July-45 and although there had been operational accidents they never engaged in battle with Japanese forces. Consequently all 12 returned to NZ and except for Q411 were soon up for tender.

Q400 – 402 Built by Chas Bailey & Son.
Q403 – 406 Associated Boatbuilders.
Q407 – 409 Shipbuilders Ltd.
Q410, 411 P.Vos Ltd.

BRIEF POSTWAR HISTORY:
Q400 “Dolphin / Sayandra”– Burned and sunk, Gt Barrier Is. 1980.
Q401 “Mahurangi” – Lost, Cook Islands 1954.
Q402 “Ngaroma”; Hauraki Gulf Ferry on Gt Barrier service – Sold Sri Lanka 1992.
Q403 “Tiare”; Tauranga Ferry – Abandoned Raglan 1957.
Q404 Named “Wailana”.
Q405 “Marlyn” – Severely damaged in Wahine storm, Burnt in Marlborough Sounds 1969.
Q406 “Motunui”; Hauraki Gulf Ferry on Waiheke service – Converted to Motel at Waitomo 2006.
Q407 “Deborah Bay”; Once owned by Sir Dove-Myer Robinson.
Q408 “Karamana II / Colville”; Gulf Ferry on Gt Barrier service – last reported Fiji 1985.
Q409 “Iris Moana” ; Returned to Navy as HMNZS Maori P3570 1953-63. From then Gulf Ferry on Waiheke service – Sold to Sri Lanka 1992, beached and abandoned during civil war action 1995.
Q410 “La Reta” – Sunk Vanuatu 1977.
Q411 “Kahu”; Retained by Navy as HMNZS Kahu P3571 1947-65. From then as backup Gulf ferry in storage. Subsequently sold to private owners – At Whangarei for refit 2016.

Many of the Fairmiles were a familiar sight on Auckland Harbour and provided reliable public transport for decades after their military service was over. Generations of Aucklanders enjoyed the excursions on them around the islands of the Gulf. I haven’t yet found mention about the fate of Q404 and Q407 nor if Q402 and Q408 are still afloat. I’m looking forward to any news about their recent history and current status. But it appears that only Q406 and Q411 remain in NZ.
Kahu may have been the last chance for preservation but too late