Tuesday 12 April, 2005
The hulk of ex HMNZS WELLINGTON has been sold to Sink F69 Trust for $1.00 and will be officially handed over to the trust at a reception hosted by Hon Mark Burton and Hon Annette King in the Executive Wing Foyer of Parliament House at 5:30 pm, Wednesday 13 April 2005. The hulk of ex HMNZS WELLINGTON is scheduled to be towed from the Devonport Naval Base on 3 May arriving in Wellington Harbour on 7 May 2005 (weather and sea conditions dependent). Sink F69 Trust intends to create an artificial reef on the seabed off the south coast of Wellington city as a tourist attraction for sport divers. The date for sinking is expected to be 12 November 2005.
Background
The Former HMNZS WELLINGTON, was built in the late 1960’s for service in the Royal Navy and known as HMS BACCHANTE. In 1981, the British Government offered the RNZN two Leander Class frigates, HMS DIDO and HMS BACCHANTE, and on acceptance the frigates were commissioned into the RNZN as HMNZS SOUTHLAND and HMNZS WELLINGTON. Following her sister ship’s subsequent decommissioning and disposal, HMNZS WELLINGTON remained in active service until her own decommissioning on 5 May 2000. The last of the Navy’s Leander Class frigates, HMNZS CANTERBURY, was formally decommissioned on 31 March 2005.
Ends
For further information please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Navy Public Relations Officer, Ph: (09) 4455002 or Mob: 021-2440638