Navy transport renamed after Spanish villain

By JOHN ARMSTRONG political editor

From Charles Upham to Don Carlos. The Navy's ill-fated transport ship, commissioned in honour of New Zealand's most-decorated war hero, will now share the name of a mad, sadistic heir to the Spanish throne.

Defence Minister Mark Burton yesterday confirmed that the vessel has been sold for $8.6 million to the Spanish company that has been using it as a citrus-carrier.

It cost the New Zealand Government $14 million seven years ago.

The ship never carried out a military sealift, its intended role in the Navy, and is now registered as the Don Carlos - the name of a Verdi opera based on the life of a 16th-century Spanish royal.

Don Carlos of Spain (1545-68), born mentally and physically deformed of an incestuous relationship between cousins, was a sadist who tortured little girls, servants and animals. It is said he was fond of roasting small animals alive, especially hares.

After buying the Scandinavian roll-on, roll-off cargo ship in 1994, the National Government spent $7 million more on modifications before it was commissioned into the Navy as the Charles Upham in October 1995.

During sea trials the next year, it broke down in heavy weather and rolled alarmingly, making its crew seasick.

Soon dubbed the "Charles Chuckam," it was tied up while the Government contemplated more expensive modifications, expected to cost around $35 million. That would have paid for extra saltwater ballast tanks, extra fuel tanks, watertight compartments on the middle deck, a helicopter hangar and accommodation for 150 soldiers.

In the interim, the Charles Upham was chartered to the Spanish shipping company Contenemar, which has now bought it outright, and it was reduced to hauling citrus fruit around the Mediterranean.

As part of its wide-ranging defence review, the present Government opted to sell the vessel at the end of its charter this month.

Contenemar's was the only bid. Approaches to New Zealand shipping companies failed to spark interest.

Mr Burton said the world market for such second-hand vessels had fallen considerably, and the sale price was realistic.

The Government is now considering options for an alternative heavy sealift capability for the Navy.

In the meantime, the Defence Force will continue chartering vessels when required - as it did in 1999 when it engaged a Dutch cargo ship to take 25 personnel carriers and other gear to East Timor.

The sale of the Charles Upham comes as the Government and defence officials brace themselves for the findings of the Auditor-General's inquiry into the Government's criticised $650 million purchase of light armoured vehicles for the Army.