HMNZS Taupo, originally HMS Loch Shin, was a Loch-class frigate which served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and then in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) from 1948 to 1961. She was scrapped in 1962.

Loch Shin in November 1944
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Loch Shin
BuilderSwan Hunter
Laid down6 September 1943
Launched23 February 1944
IdentificationPennant number K421
FateTransferred to New Zealand, 1948
New Zealand
NameHMNZS Taupo
Commissioned1948
Decommissioned1952
IdentificationF423
FateScrapped 1962
General characteristics
Class and typeLoch-class frigate
Displacement1,435 tons
Length
  • 286 ft (87 m) p/p
  • 307.25 ft (93.65 m) o/a
Beam38.5 ft (11.7 m)
Draught
  • 8.75 ft (2.67 m) standard
  • 13.25 ft (4.04 m) full
Propulsion2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 shafts

4-cylinder vertical triple expansion reciprocating engines, 5,500 ihp (4,100 kW)

or Parsons single reduction geared turbines, 6,500 shp (4,800 kW)
Speed20 knots (37 km/h)
Range730 tons oil fuel, 9,500 nautical miles (17,600 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement114
Armament1 × QF 4 inch Mark V on one single mounting HA MkIII**

4 × QF 2 pounder MkVII on 1 quad mount MkVII 4 × 20 mm Oerlikon A/A on 2 twin mounts MkV (or 2 × 40 mm Bofors A/A on 2 single mounts Mk.III) up to 8 × 20 mm Oerlikon A/A on single mounts MkIII 2 × Squid triple barreled A/S mortars

1 rail and 2 throwers for depth charges

Service history

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Royal Navy service

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On Commissioning in October 1944 Loch Shin was allocated for service in the Western Approaches.[1] On 4 February 1945 she participated in attacks on the German submarine U-1014, which was sunk. The following month she was allocated for escorting Russian convoys. At the end of the war and during 1946 she was employed on Operation Deadlight to sink captured German U-Boats.

She was paid off from Royal Navy service in June 1947 and was reduced to reserve status.

Royal New Zealand Navy service

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In early 1948 Loch Shin's sale to New Zealand was negotiated and she was re-fitted at Chatham before sale. Her name was changed to HMNZS Taupo and her pennant number was changed to F421.

During her service with the RNZN she served in the Pacific and Mediterranean and in 1951 and 1952 was deployed for service in the Korean War. Her service included shore bombardment operations. She paid off at the end of 1952 and was held in reserve status at Auckland.

She was sold for scrapping on 15 December 1961.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2004). Gordon Smith (ed.). "HMS Loch Shin (K 421) - Loch Class Frigate". naval-history.net. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  2. ^ Raymond V B Blackman (ed.). Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 184.

Bibliography

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