TUI and WAIKATO dive

 

I recently went out with Dive Tutukaka on a weekday  to dive  the twin wrecks - The Tui and the Waikato.

 

First dive was the Tui. I havent dived the Tui in years and for me this was one of the best dives I have done in ages. I actually witnessed the Tui going down some years ago now. When she was sunk in  the ship drifted over a reef and ended up on her port side. It is always a great sight to see a ship sinking ( as an avid wreck diver its the best sight!!!!!)  I have always loved the Tui and had forgotten what a fantastic dive it is. Here is some history of the ship.

 

TUI HISTORY

( all this information courtesy of phil bendle )

 

The Tui, after her colourful career spanning more than 35 years with the American and New Zealand Navies, lies 32 meters underwater, about 500 meters off the coast, approx. 1 mile north of Tutukaka Harbour. The Tui was an oceanographic research vessel with the navy. She became significant to the New Zealand public when on one of her last missions which was as flag ship for the protest fleet during the French militaries final series of nuclear tests at Moruroa atoll giving her a link to the more famous but smaller Rainbow Warrior now resting on the sea bed 50 miles north of the proposed site for the Tui.

New Zealand Service Tui began sea trials 10-3-1971, after scientific equipment had been installed and tested, she began a programme of for the Defence Scientific Establishment ( DSE, formerly called the Naval Research Laboratory). Auckland . Since the Tui has gone unobtrusively about the kind of research she was designed for, primarily underwater acoustics, calling from time to time at various N. Z. Ports. Sometimes Tui has worked in Australia, Indian ocean and South Pacific waters, or on Auckland University research and with DSIR scientists, or with other oceanographic ships, e. g. H. M. A ships Diamantina and Kimbla in 1977-78, and the DSIR's ship Tangaroa. Tui has taken part in several American research programmes, at least one of which extended right across the Pacific ocean from near the coast off Peru. Though Tui's acoustic research is mainly to do with the detection and tracking of submarines, much of her research work is available to other science and industry spheres, and some data is useful in compilation of hydrographic charts. Occasionally Tui has been involved with ceremonial duties and fleet exercises.


Tonnage's: 1200 std, 1380 f/l

Dimensions: 63.7 x 58.4 w/l x 11.4 x 4.7 meters (208.9 x 191.5 x 37.4 x 15.3 ft)

Machinery: l-shaft diesel-electric, bhp 10,000 (7400 kW) = 13.5/12 kts. A 620 hp (460 kW = 6.5 kts) gas turbine engine is housed in the funnel, for quiet running during sound experiments. Also fitted with a 175 hp bow thruster.

Armament: Not armed

Complement: (NZ)36, plus up to 10 scientists

Class Notes Tui, built as Charles H. Davis, is one of nine specially designed 'Conrad' class oceanographic research ships built for the USA in 1962-69, the class being led by Robert D. Conrad of 1962. Named after notable naval oceanographers and hydrographers, they are equipped to perform deep-ocean floor studies.

Builder Christy Corp., Sturgeon Bay (near Green Bay), Wisconsin, USA
l/d 15/6/61; 1 30/6/62; cp. 25/1/63 as Charles H. Davis UNITED STATES SERVICE
Placed in service 21/1/63, the USNS Charles H. Davis (AGOR5) was operated for the Naval Oceanographic Office, as one of a 'pool' of research ships, by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), later called Military Sealift Command (MSG). The ship was in reserve for some years before being lent to NZ.

Acquisition After Tui (1) was scrapped, the RNZN was offered Charles H. Davis on loan from the U. S. Navy from 28/7/70. Later this was extended five years to 1980, and in 1979, on lease for a further 15 years.

Delivery After a partial refit, Charles H. Davis was renamed Tui (after the previous ship), and commissioned 10/9/70 at Brooklyn, New York. A formal commissioning and handover ceremony was held next day, and sea trials off New York, she sailed for New Zealand 24/9/70, via Panama and Tahiti. The Tui arrived at Wellington 7/11/70, then to Auckland to complete the refit, arriving 13/11.1970.

New Zealand Service Tui began sea trials 10/3.71, after scientific equipment had been installed and tested, she began a programme of for the Defence Scientific Establishment (DSE, formerly called the Naval Research Laboratory).Auckland . Since the Tui has gone unobtrusively about the kind of research she was designed for, primarily underwater acoustics, calling from time to time at various N. Z. Ports. Sometimes Tui has worked in Australia, Indian ocean and South Pacific waters, or on Auckland University research and with DSIR scientists, or with other oceanographic ships, e. g. H. M. A ships Diamantina and Kimbla in 1977-78, and the DSIR's ship Tangaroa. Tui has taken part in several American research programmes, at least one of which extended right across the Pacific ocean from near the coast off Peru. Though Tui's acoustic research is mainly to do with the detection and tracking of submarines, much of her research work is available to other science and industry spheres, and some data is useful in compilation of hydrographic charts. Occasionally Tui has been involved with ceremonial duties and fleet exercises. One of her last missions was in 1995 acting as flag ship to the protest fleet off France's Mururoa nuclear testing site.

Alterations Cable- handling gear (over the bow though to the stern) and new gallows at the stern were fitted for Tui's RNZN service.
Her port engine was replaced during a 12 week refit in 1973. During 1975-77 she received new scientific and navigational equipment and auxiliary machinery, to improve her usefulness and performance. Tui was given a major refit in 1979-80 after her loan was renewed. In 2-3/84 Tui was refitted at Lyttelton under private contract, the first time since WW11 that a large RNZN ship had undergone a refit in NZ away from Devonport. Subsequent refits have also been done in Lyttelton.

Mishaps When shifting berth "dead ship" at Brooklyn New York 10/9/70 soon after being commissioned, Tui was struck on the stern and slightly damaged by the tug Michael Moran. Tui had a breakdown of her main diesel generator 12/2/81 while working in the South Taranaki Bight. Unable to make headway with her bow thruster, she was towed to Port Taranaki by the Maui supply ship Austral Tide next day. After temporary repairs, left for Auckland 17/2/81 escorted by Taranaki. In 7/78 Tui was sent to Raoul Island to bring back to Auckland the men who had been aboard the motor vessel Picton, wrecked there 20/7/78. Tui's cutter capsized during shore to ship transfer. Service ended 18/2/98
 

Thanks Phil for the detailed information about the Tui.

The dive!

The day was another fantastic, calm mid week diving opportunity that only Aucklanders could dream of.  We steamed out to the site in about 20 minutes and  lines attached to the moorings. Coastal underwater visibility was being boasted at over 15 meters so we didnt need any prompting to get into the water! This time there was no exaggeration! Descending down the line the wreck came into view early on in the descent.

Armed with my breather and camera I made my way forward of the ship. I had forgotten forgotten after all these years the beauty of the ship. Even though it was completely on its port side and badly damaged, having slid down a rocky reef it was a magnificent dive. This was probably one of the most scenic artificial reef sites around. Massive schools of golden snapper just cruise round the ship and gargantuan porie  just sitting on the bow. The bridge area, now collapsed in areas is still identifiable to an inexperienced diver lays host to encrusted life abounding. 

Tui bridge (you can see where it slid down the reef on its starboard side)

Moving back towards the midships we noticed one of the stairwells on the ships starboard side. (photographed below)

Tui midships

Further aft of the bridge we came to the area where the Tui has received the most damage. Where the engine room and condensor used to live deep inside the ship is now open for all to observe. Cut in half as if with a can opener the heart of the ship lies exposed to the ocean floor. To some this is seen in a negative way. Personally, I see it as an awesome sight. The power of the ocean has made this site a wreck! and diving on it shows this. It enhances the  feeling of diving on a sunken shipwreck, not just an empty shell sunk upright perfectly. This wreck has sole!

Tui midships where the condensor lives

The wreck lies in 34m of water and after 40 minutes of bottom time and 150 odd pictures we headed, contentedly back to the line. Andy, my patient buddy (and model) glanced back at me and said with his eyes "I wish I could stay longer but alas we have to go!" Obliging reluctantly we ascended, ready for dive #2 on the Waikato!

 

Tui swimming along starboard railings

 

WAIKATO DIVE

I have completed over 150 dives on this wreck and it still never ceases to take my breath away. Today wasnt any differnt. After being fed and watered at Schnappa Rock for lunch we headed back out to dive the Waikato.

 

WAIKATO HISTORY

The frigate ex HMNZS Waikato was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, launches on February 18, 1966, and commissioned into the Toyal New Zealand Navy on September 15, 1966. At 113.4m long, 12.5m bea and draft of 5.5m she was the first Leander Class frigate built for the navy. She had top speed of 30 knots, and was powered by twin steam turbines developing 30,000hp. She was armed with twin guns in the turrel, two 20mm Orlikeon machine guns on the wings, a quad Seacat anti-aircraft missile launcher, six 12.75in anti submarine torpedo tubes, one anti-submarine warefare Limbo mortar Mark 10 and a Wasp Helicopter capable of delivering depth charges and a Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedo.

She served the RNZ Navy until decommissioning in 1998. Tutukaka Coast won teh tender and prepared the ship for divers during 1999/2000. Finally the ship was sent to her final resting place on the 25th November 2000  in  a world record time  of 2 mins 40 secs. She now rests in 30m of water. She is the only purpose sunk frigate in the Southern Hemisphere with  her turret and one propeller left on the ship.

 

The dive

Having completed a little over 100 hours on (and in) this wreck still takes my breath away. I dont know what it is about this wreck but time and time out it never ceases to deliver the goods. Todays dive was no different. Uncharacteristically I spent 98% of the dive outside the wreck. With my new camera in tow, wide angle lense, dome port and tripod I was out to do some damage!! Making a beeline for the bow I set up shop just off the port bow. It must have been an interesting sight to see someone purched on the sand with a camera and tripod! Anyway...... Right on cue Andrew and Scott turned up and hung around the bow section and let me  rattle off a few shots. With all these dives on the wreck in the past I had never really looked and appreciated the beauty of the ship from this angle. It was quite exquisite!

 

 

Bow of the Waikato

Just moving round I noticed the sleek curves of her forward hull. Being able to do 30 knots is not surprising as her hull would cut through the water like a hot knife through butter!!

 

 

 

 

The next amazing sight was the bow gun. Now lying completely on its port side the gun sits there, waiting for action! It is amazing that every millimeter is covered by encrusting life!

Bow gun on the Waikato

Waikato starboard side

 

 

Waikato prop

The next spectacular sight was her prop. Take a prop off a ship and it is like taking the horn off a rhino! Tutukaka Coast purposefully left one of the props on for this exact reason and its WOW effect still burns deep into the memory banks of all that  venture to the sand at 30m. A memorable sight!

Another fantastic days giving with another 40 minute dive on the waikato. Till the next time!!!

 

 

Deco on the line!

 

 

 

 

Please respect copyright on all these images