26 February, 2007
The Navy’s replenishment vessel, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, will visit Lyttelton over the period Sunday 4 March – Wednesday 7 March in support of the 50th Anniversary of operations in Antarctica. Under the command of Commander James Routledge and his crew of 50 Officers and Ratings, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR will host tours for four local sea cadets and sea scout groups, as well as the Anniversary Events including a Cocktail Party onboard the tanker.
One highlight of the visit is to host an Anniversary Morning Tea on Tuesday 6 February between 10:00 am and 11:00 am for two very special guests, Lt Des Scolfield RNZNVR (Retired) of Auckland and local Sumner resident ABS George Rodgers – (Retired) – both original crew members of HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, onboard for the 1956 expedition to Antarctica where they assisted in the erection of Scott Base.
Onboard as a Bridge Watch keeping Officer, Halswell man Lieutenant Calum MacPherson, is looking forward to returning to his hometown and enjoy a brief visit with his family and friends.
The ship will not be open to the public during this visit.
Background
The Fleet Replenishment Ship HMNZS ENDEAVOUR is the third ship to bear the name in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). The first two, both ex US Naval vessels, were originally used in support of the NZ Antarctic Programme from 1956 to 1962 and 1962 to 1971 respectively, and he original being the HM Bark ENDEAVOUR that carried Captain James Cook, RN, on his first voyage to New Zealand.
Unlike her predecessors, the present ENDEAVOUR has been built specifically for the RNZN. Although built essentially to a commercial tanker design and standards, she has been fitted with a variety of specialised equipment to permit her naval role to be fulfilled.
HMNZS ENDEAVOUR carries supplies and fuel for RNZN, Commonwealth and Allied surface units. She can resupply ships at sea, or in overseas ports from the 7,500 tonnes of fuel in her eight tanks, or the supplies held in the four containers on deck. Additionally ENDEAVOUR can provide fuel to helicopters fitted with in flight refuelling.
On 8 April 1988, ENDEAVOUR was commissioned for service with the RNZN and departed Ulsan, South Korea on her delivery voyage to New Zealand on 14 April 1988. ENDEAVOUR’s motto ‘Nil intentatum’ means ‘Nothing unattempted’. Her crest features a navigators compass and the stars of the Southern Cross, symbolising the pioneering navigations and survey work of Captain Cook.
Her home port is New Plymouth and she is affiliated with the IHC charity, New Plymouth.
PARTICULARS
Length: 138 m
Displacement: 7300 tonnes
Speed: 14 knots
Complement: 50 (Officers and Ratings)
Commanding Officer: Commander James Routledge, RNZN
Executive Officer: Lieutenant Commander Martin Walker, RNZN
Pennant Number: A11
Invitation to the Media
Media are invited for two opportunities:
• Limited to two media for boat transfer to HMNZS ENDEAVOUR to sail into Lyttelton Harbour with local Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts onboard on Sunday 4 March at 08:30 am.
• To meet the original crew members at the Anniversary Morning Tea on Tuesday 6 March from 10:00am – 11:00 am onboard the tanker.
To register interest in media opportunities, for further information, including requests for interviews please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Navy Public Relations Manager, Ph: (09) 4455002 or Mob: 021-2440638