Torpedo Bay Navy Museum

Flashback Friday - working together - RNZNVR training, HMNZS Bellona c1947. HMNZS Bellona was an Improved Dido Class Cruiser - her service with RNZN began in 1946 and ended in 1956. Read more about Bellona on our website: https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-collections/ships/bellona/
Image: AAL 0081

Reminder: This coming Sunday 10 November, NZ Navy Pipes and Drums Band will perform a short Remembrance Day concert outside the museum.
Starting at 12.30pm.
Please note seating with not be provided.

On this day in 1943, HMS Bellona an Improved Dido Class Cruiser was completed at Fairfield Shipping and Engineering Company in Glasgow. Initially commissioned into the Royal Navy she served in World War Two, participating in raids on the German Battleship Tirpitz. In late 1945 RNZN announced plans to replace HMNZS Achilles and Gambia, HMS Bellona and Black Prince were chosen as replacements. HMNZS Bellona began her New Zealand service on 1 October 1946.
Image: AAL 0167 HMNZS Bellona on full power trials.
Read more about HMNZS Bellona on our website: https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-collections/ships/bellona/

Today, 28 October marks Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara, our National Day of Remembrance of the New Zealand wars. The New Zealand wars took place between 1845 and 1872. We uncover a couple of items in the collection related to the New Zealand wars in this article on our website: https://navymuseum.co.nz/were-featuring/he-ra-maumahara-remembering-the-new-zealand-wars/
Image: New Zealand Medal awarded to AB E Scott who served in HMS North Star 1845-46 at the time of the Northern War Object No: MBB 0002

Today, 28 October marks Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara, our National Day of Remembrance of the New Zealand wars. The New Zealand wars took place between 1845 and 1872. We uncover a couple of items in the collection related to the New Zealand wars read the article here: https://navymuseum.co.nz/were-featuring/he-ra-maumahara-remembering-the-new-zealand-wars/
Image: New Zealand Medal awarded to AB E Scott who served in HMS North Star 1845-46 at the time of the Northern War Object No: MBB 0002

The Museum and Torpedo Bay Cafe are open all Labour Weekend. Fingers crossed for great weather!
The Museum will be open usual hours: 10am - 5pm all through the long weekend.
Torpedo Bay Cafe
Saturday 7.30am - 4pm
Sunday 8am - 4pm
Monday: Labour Day 8am - 3pm

On this day in 1942 the converted cargo ship Breeze was commissioned into the New Zealand Navy having been converted into a minesweeper. Breeze served in the Solomons during the Second World War joining the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla at the end of April 1943. She undertook night-time patrols and es**rt duties. By mid 1944 Breeze's owners were demanding her return, so Breeze was released in November 1944.
Image: Breeze off Kawau Island ABN 0049

⚓️ Whakatere Conference Facilities ⚓️

Come spend the working day in paradise at Torpedo Bay Navy Museum in Devonport.

VACANCY - CASUAL GUIDE HOST
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY
We are looking for a friendly, professional individual to join our front of house team in a casual position. You will join a welcoming team who are passionate about the work they do.

If you have excellent communication skills, love interacting with visitors and have an interest in history and/or experience in the tourism or museum sector, then we’d like to hear from you. A wide range of availability is required including weekdays and weekends, on a work as needed basis. Please note this role doesn’t involve regular days/hours of work.

Interested? Please email your cover letter including details of your availability, and CV to our Visitor Services Manager: [email protected] Queries? Please phone 09 446 1829. Applications close Monday 4th November, 5pm.

Happy World Food Day! We've put together some great food related images and objects from our Collection to celebrate World Food Day check them out here: https://navymuseum.co.nz/news/celebrating-world-food-day/
Image: Chief Petty Officer Cook Ron Lattimore and trainees with swan cake, July 1970. PN 70 05374 01

Flashback Friday - a very cute image from the Tudor Collins Collection captioned 'Young boy holding HMNZS Achilles ship cat'. Not sure the cat is enjoying the cuddle? Do you have a better caption?
Image: 2013.70.6280

Great image from the Collection: Leading Seaman PTI Dick Gordon on the horse with recruits watching - HMNZS Tamaki 1949.
Image: ABZ 0193

Today we had a very special visitor, a former RN and RNZN sailor, Stan Welch from Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast who has reached the grand old age of 99! Stan, or to give him his full name, Alfred Stanley Welch served in both the Royal Navy during World War Two and then in the RNZN as a communicator. He was a member of the crew who delivered HMNZS Pukaki a Loch Class frigate to New Zealand in 1948. He later spent 15 months at HMNZS Irirangi in Waiouru. Stan visited the museum today with his extended family including two of his great-grandchildren.
Image: Andrew, Museum Guide and Stan Welch. Stan is testing Andrew's ability to read Morse Code!

in 2011 MV Rena became wedged on Astrolabe Reef becoming New Zealand’s worst maritime environmental disaster. All 3 services of took part in the rescue and salvage mission - Operation Rena. HMNZS Manawanui, Endeavour, Pukaki and Taupo were all involved. This painting by official artist, Colin Wynn highlights the involvement of the Lake-class inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Rotoiti and her Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). Rotoiti evacuated 27 of Rena's crew and salvage experts when bad weather threatened her risky position on the reef.
Object No: FT 1199

From the - posing for the camera is the HMNZS Black Prince whaler crew c1958. Can you help us identify anyone in the image?
Image: GN 58 01338 01

From the Collection - Wrens outside Margaret House c1967. Margaret House, a two-storey property on Calliope Road, Devonport was purchased in 1952 to provide additional Wrens accommodation. It remained in use until the early 1970s. Did you stay at Margaret House? When we posted this previously, we were delighted to have one of the ladies in the image give us everyone's name - this is always very excited for us! In the photo L-R: Marseile Stratford, Pat Nixey, Jill Franklin, Mary Pahau, Suzanne Roberts, Ann Meredith, Marama Wetere.
Image: PN 67 03791 01

Great news this December the Navy Museum is hosting the ever-popular singer Rebecca Nelson for a special evening of timeless classics, with a touch of Christmas magic. To avoid disappointment, get your tickets now!

When: Thursday 12 December - 7pm
Limited Tickets available $30pp
To purchase your tickets:
In person at the Navy Museum or email: [email protected]
T: 09 445 5186
Rebecca Nelson

Fantastic Flags our FREE holiday activity starts today! Bring the kids to the museum and they can have fun tracking down the signal flags hidden in the museum and then cracking the code! Once they've cracked the code and identified the mystery word, they'll go in the draw to win our awesome book prize! They can also have a go at designing and drawing their own flag in our learning space Tūhura.

Activity suitable for children aged 3+.
Parental supervision required.
Cost: Free
Available: Saturday 28 September – Sunday 13 October, 10am – 5pm daily.

All organised groups must pre-book: [email protected]

FlashbackFriday - From the Collection - engraved on this leather-bound telescope are the initials of D.F.T. Bruce. Bruce was Navigation Officer on the Auckland based Cable Ship HMS Iris during WW1. He was involved in the search for the German officer, Count Felix Von Luckner, after his escape from Motuihe Island in 1918. Bruce’s medals are part of the Navy Museum’s medal collection. Read more about Bruce’s naval service and view his medals on our medals database: https://bit.ly/BrucedDFT

Lots of fun happening at today’s Stitch and Relax workshop with the amazing Lynn Smart from Running Stitch Studio

In celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori here's our fourth RNZN ship motto: HMNZS Manawanui from the current fleet her motto is: Te Mārohirohi o te Moana - Strength of the sea. Image: HMNZS Manawanui 2020. Photographer PO Chris Weissenborn 20200430_NZDF_c03316_008