Warship Waikato gives up last treasures

A crumpled 1967 European edition of Time magazine stuffed behind a ventilator shaft has been a prized find by workers preparing an old warship for sinking off Northland.

The former Leander class frigate HMNZS Waikato is likely to go to the seabed near Tutukaka in November, provided the weather is right and an explosives expert from Canada is available.

The 3000-tonne, 35-year-old warship was towed to Opua in the Bay of Islands several months ago and is being prepared for sinking at the main wharf.

Project supervisor Norm Greenall, who served on the Waikato for 18 months as a warrant officer, said the magazine had probably been stuffed behind the ventilator shaft soon after the ship was launched in Northern Ireland in 1965 by Princess Alexandra, a cousin of the Queen.

Mr Greenall said the Waikato was always a happy ship and while he had no problem helping to prepare it for sinking, it would be an emotional day when it finally slipped beneath the surface.

Mr Greenall said other treasures were turning up as the team moved further into the ship.

The Navy and souvenir hunters had already removed many sentimental items, such as the captain's chair on the bridge, the ship's crest and the nameplate. Mr Greenall said the team was also investigating ways of getting the two four-metre-diameter bronze propellers off, probably using a small explosive charge.

But at the moment workers were concentrating on making the ship safe for divers and removing the risk of it being a threat to the environment.

The oil bunkers and bilges had been cleaned and the team was moving through the ship removing oil and other possible contaminants.

Wood fittings including bunks were also being removed.

Wood would eventually rot and break away, causing a hazard to divers and a possible environmental problem.

"You have to put yourself in the position as a diver and say, 'If I swam through here would it be a hazard to me'."

Extra access holes would be cut into most parts of the ship and also in the ship's side to allow the light in.

The main 4.5-inch twin gun turret would stay on the ship when it was sunk but some parts of the aluminium superstructure and masts would be removed.

The Waikato is expected to remain a safe dive attraction for at least 40 to 50 years.

This was unlike the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, which has been deteriorating rapidly since it was sunk in Matauri Bay in Northland in 1987.

The Rainbow Warrior's superstructure contained far more aluminium, which set up a reaction between the aluminium, the steel in the ship and the salt water.

Mr Greenall said the Waikato would have very little aluminium remaining by the time it was sunk.

- NZPA

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