Wreck of corvette Moa found

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33565, 20 June 1974, Page 12

Wreck of corvette Moa found

Divers have found the wreck of the New Zealand corvette Moa, sunk in the Solomon Islands during a wartime Japanese bombing raid. The wreck was heard about by H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato during a recent visit to Honiara. The remains of five New Zealand naval ratings are believed to be still in the wreck.

The Waikato learned of the find just before leaving for Brisbane. The ship’s divers did not have time to examine the wreck.

H.M.N.Z.S. Moa occupies a proud place in New Zealand naval history. In company with her sister ship Kiwi, the Moa depth-charged a heavy Japanese submarine early in 1943 and forced her to surface, in what was described as “a bold and resolute action.” The action ended with the Kiwi ramming the submarine and almost cutting her in two.

Only two months later, the Moa was sunk in Tulagi Harbour, near Guadalcanal, during a heavy Japanese air attack.

The ship at the time was commanded by LieutenantCommander P. Phipps, who later rose to the rank of ViceAdmiral and became New Zealand’s first Chief of Defence Staff. The remains of the following are believed to be still in the wreck: Leading Seamna J. C. O. Moffatt (bom

Tauranga), Able Seaman K. Bailey (Auckland), Leading Stoker H. D. Crawford (Darlington, Durham), Stoker E. J. Buckeridge (Waikino), Telegraphist G. Duncan (Taihape).