Frigate off to the cleaners

The Canterbury will become a dive attraction. File Photo / Paul Estcourt

The old Navy frigate Canterbury begins its final preparations today before its last voyage north.

It is due to go into dry dock at the Devonport naval base to have its hull cleaned before being towed to the Bay of Islands and sunk as a dive attraction.

The 3000-tonne Leander-class frigate, which was the last steam ship in the Navy, will be sunk in Deepwater Cove at Cape Brett.

It will spend four days in dry dock to have the marine pest seasquirt cleaned off the stern hull and have the propellers removed and lashed to the deck. It is due out on Thursday.

Kelly Weeds from the Bay of Islands Canterbury Charitable Trust said that if the weather was right the tow north would begin immediately.

The ship would be berthed at Opua for about six months to allow salvageable material to be removed and sold.

He said the two bronze propellers were worth about $14,000 each for scrap but could be sold for a lot more for their sentimental value. The trust would like to keep one and have it mounted as a memorial to the ship.

- NZPA