THe HMNZS Otago commemorative parade makes its way from the
Dunedin Railway Station yesterday morning. Photo by Craig
Baxter.
"She was something quite different - she was special."
It is nearly 50 years since HMNZS Otago's first commanding
officer, Max McDowell, last stepped on board the Rothesay
class type 12 frigate.
But during the 50th anniversary of the vessel, the
86-year-old recalled life aboard as if it was yesterday.
The retired Royal New Zealand Navy commodore said it was the
first new ship the navy had, and all who served aboard her
thought she was something special.
She was built with the possibility of a nuclear war in mind,
having an enclosed bridge and a below decks operations room
from which she could be run.
HMNZS Otago took part in regular deployments to the Far East,
North America, Hawaii, Australia and the Pacific Islands, for
exercises with ships of other navies.
In 1973, the New Zealand government decided to protest
against French atmospheric nuclear tests at Mururoa Atoll,
and used Otago as a platform for its actions.
Following the first bomb, the frigate flashed news of the
explosion to the world.
Comm McDowell, of Auckland, said one of his fondest memories
was of the frigate's crew soon after it was commissioned in
1960.
"When we commissioned the ship, the first thing we did was
take her to Portsmouth, in England, to do sea trials.
"It was easy to pick the Kiwi sailors among all the others
moving about the base. They were the ones on the wharf
throwing a rugby ball around, or up the mast preparing for
their next day of work.
"The crew was wonderful. I was very fortunate to have them."
The World War 2 navy veteran's association with the vessel as
captain ended in 1961 when he was promoted to Commodore.
"I still have many fond memories of her. She was the
highlight of my career."
The vessel was "paid off" in 1983 and broken up for scrap in
Auckland in 1987.
Comm McDowell, formerly of Oamaru, was one of about 100
former crew members of HMNZS Otago who gathered in Dunedin at
the weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
commissioning of the frigate, and to commemorate the
commissioning of the new Otago.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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