A glimpse of history

A Tauranga monument honours all merchant seamen who lost their lives in the World Wars. About 500 New Zealanders served in the Royal Navy during WWI, and some of whom, including Lieutenant Andrew Dougall Blair and Sub-Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, served on Mystery Ships.

The story of the Mystery Ships is one of the romances of the Great War and will for ever be of historical importance for the Royal Navy.

The supreme bravery shown by those involved was of the highest possible level and the role played in slowing the destruction and havoc the U boats were causing makes compelling reading.

Vice Admiral Gordon Campbell wrote of the ideas and technological developments that were produced in a short period of time due to the war.

“In practically every case such ideas were born when one or another of the combatant nations was confronted by some direct threat to her safety. The tank, for example appeared as a reply to barbed wire and the machine gun. In like manner, the menace of the submarine called forth the “mystery” or “Q ship.”

The ships were fitted out as a decoy by concealing guns on board what appeared to be an ordinary steamer. The guns were placed in a specially-built house erected on the stern and looked like a steering engine house. A string was pulled and the house would collapse and out came the gun.

As well, the main deck on either side was cut and fitted with hinges which could quickly fall down to disclosing guns.

The upper deck was often converted into gun houses which could quickly collapse with guns also called into action.

There were other disguises, generally either side of the bridge which could quickly collapse when needed to add to the firepower. There was at times a telescopic mast and derricks stowed in different positions with fake cargo moved to different positions on the deck.

Deceiving appearance

There was some initial success with armed fishing trawlers working in conjunction with submarines against the U Boats (June 1914 U-14 was rammed and ultimately sunk).

The efficiency of the crew was paramount. This was complicated somewhat as they were often composed of men from the various reserves, fishermen and others that could be recruited with often only two naval officers.

They had to be relied upon even in the most dangerous circumstances which often meant they were being watched by a submarine commander.

As the outward appearance of the ship had to resemble a merchant ship, the crew had to appear in plain clothes and maintain activity similar to those crewing a merchant ship.

As all kinds of ships were used, including liners, some of the crew dressed as women from the waist up so viewed above the deck they created the right impression from a periscope.

The mystery ship also had to change the external appearance as if a submarine commander saw a ship operating in the same vicinity for several days he may become suspicious of her.

For this reason dummy funnels, dummy masts, derricks and boats and paints were used to change the appearance overnight.

To maintain the appearance the ships often had one or two off-duty crew smoking their pipes with the remainder ready and closed up with the guns waiting, or below deck ready to run through concealed passages to their guns without being seen.

An attack from a submarine often involved a torpedo or a warning shot across the bow after the submarine surfaced and the conning tower opened and the gun fired then an order to stop was often given.

However the submarine on the surface was very vulnerable to return fire from the Q ship. The submarine commander often had limited torpedoes at his disposal so he would use them sparingly.

The pre-arranged routine often involved steam being dispersed and a “panic party” of men who filled boats pretending the ship to be abandoned.

At times dried seaweed was set fire to which often deceived the U Boat commander.

This tactic was used to appear as if the Q ship was endeavouring to achieve top speed when in reality it had slowed.

Targeting submarines

The submarine commander would regularly be eager to reap the spoils of war with fresh supplies being often targeted and the captain detained for questioning so would approach the ship and generally be a sitting target.

The white ensign was broken at the mast head in compliance with the Hague Convention, and the side covers of the guns came down as the gun fire started. At times the submarine would submerge if they could but the mystery ship also had depth charges to add to their arsenal.

At times the commander would order by signal for the papers to be sent over so a set arrangement was rehearsed for this scenario as well which involved the second in command taking responsibility for all decisions.

The U boat commanders required the masters of vessels to hand over their documentation as proof of success for their high command and for intelligence purposes.

There were instances of submarines escaping to spread the warning of the ships and their disguise which made the work of the mystery ships increasingly difficult.

Consequently the ship’s captain sometimes took the decision to get deliberately torpedoed first.

Orders were given to increase or decrease speed to ensure a torpedo hit. The strain on the crew was incredible especially for those below deck knowing they were to be deliberately torpedoed especially if the ammunitions hold was hit.

The steam and pre planned behaviours worked well and the proud commander regularly surfaced close by facing the shock of the fire power he received.

The Mystery Ships of World War I

At times the submarine was so close that the big guns could dangerously close to explosives and the disguised guns and crew not depress enough to open fire so the ship’s captain had to wait but the crew appreciated the importance of maintaining their for a better opportunity. The courage of all and stress of being cover so remained at their stations, some making the ultimate suspiciously viewed at such close proximity has to be admired sacrifice for their bravery. especially if the U Boat circled the Q ship several times closely With the incredible bravery being shown there were instances observing all actions. of the VC being awarded. Naval protocol of the time meant one

After being hit maintaining normal behaviour for such a officer and one crew could receive this prestigious award and situation must have been incredibly difficult especially if the ship with all officers and men being equally deserving a secret ballot was likely to sink and some crew were killed. was often held. Many of the crews were given gallantry awards,

At times the disguises were adversely affected with the explosion some posthumously. further complicating the awkward situation and the identity His majesty the King stated in making an award: “Greater prematurely being disclosed. bravery than was shown by all officers and men on this occasion

There were times when the gunfire was at a greater range than can hardly be conceived”. desired which was not the ideal situation for the merchant ship. It was impossible to determine how many merchant ships were

I believe the ships were then towed to a venue so the armaments spared out of fear that the target may have been a Q ship. could be saved or they were rescued if possible by fellow sailors. Following this another ship was then fitted out. Postscript from the author

With a colossal amount of merchant ships being sunk by U I personally believe that the merchant navy’s contribution to boats, news of successes were jubilantly received on the home front. the war effort has been somewhat under estimated without the

As the war progressed submarines were fitted with big guns recognition they deserve being forthcoming. which they preferred to use The phenomenal loss of life rather than torpedoes which and the continual possibility had a range near 5000 yards. of being sunk en-route while

There were times after being delivering much needed hit that the mystery ship could supplies and personnel must not sight the submarine due to have been a massive strain the smoke so the wait until the for all. It would be fitting for enemy were close enough to ANZAC services to make open fire was required. HMS Baralong, also known as HMS Wyandra[4] was a Royal Navy warship mention of the merchant

At times the fires were that was active during World War I. seamens’ massive contribution.

Regulations at boat ramps

New rules to stop the spread of aquatic pests across the Bay of Plenty have come into force, with boat ramp users now required to self-certify that their vessels and trailers are free from freshwater fish and plant pests.

The rules contained within the Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Plan 2020-2030 ensure that lake users take an active role in protecting the long term health of the region’s lakes and rivers, says Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity manager Greg Corbett.

“Ultimately everyone benefits from these new rules,” says Greg.

“Preventing the spread of aquatic pest plants and fish that can choke the lakes, making them murky and causing the decline of native species, is vital.

“The rules themselves are very much based on common sense and are essentially an extension of the Check, Clean, Dry behaviour that has been promoted nationally for many years.”

Self-certification checkpoints have been set up at the most popular boat ramps around the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes. The checkpoints have forms that should be completed and displayed on

the dashboard of the vehicle used to launch the vessel.

“Based on last year’s boat ramp checks around the Te Arawa Rotorua lakes we are confident that the new rules reflect the actions that many boat ramp users are already undertaking.”

The new rules

The Bay of Plenty 2020-2030 Regional Pest Management Plan states: 1. No person shall leave boat trailers in any water body other than for the purposes of launching and/or retrieving boats. 2. No person shall transport ballast water from any water body to any other location. 3. All occupiers of vessels or craft entering any water body within the

BOP shall ensure their vessels or craft (including trailers) are free from freshwater pest fish and freshwater pest plants including fragments. 4. All occupiers of vessels or craft using a boat ramp with a self-certification checkpoint must complete the supplied certification form and display it in the vehicle used to launch the vessel or craft.

New rules for boaties in the Bay of Plenty

Marine pests often ‘hitchhike’ on boats moving around the country, either from biofouling on hulls or from the discharge of ballast and bilge water. The new Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Plan 2020 – 2030 rules are designed to protect the region’s coast from unwanted marine pests.

RULE 1 The occupier in charge of a craft moving to, or within Bay of Plenty waters must ensure the hull is sufficiently cleaned and antifouled, so that the hull has no more than a slime layer and/or barnacles. RULE 2 All aquaculture equipment (including ropes and floats) used within Bay of Plenty waters must not have been used outside Bay of Plenty waters or used within a known pest incursion zone in the Bay of Plenty.

Please familarise yourself with the rules and keep your boat sufficiently clean by:

• Regularly cleaning and antifouling the hull and niche areas • Ensure antifouling paint is in good condition and working effectively • Cleaning hull and niche areas when the boat has been stationary for periods of time • Keep biofouling management information in one place, like the vessel's logbook

To find a haulout operator in the upper North Island go to

www.marinepests.nz/find-a-haulout If you think you’ve seen the marine pests above (or any others) in the Bay of Plenty, call us on 0800 STOP

16 | waterline April 2021 PESTS (0800 786 773) or MPI on 0800 80 99 66. Note the location and grab a sample if you can.

Underwater surveillance of more than 2,200 boats anchored around the Bay of Plenty has revealed an overwhelming number of clean hulls.

Data collected from across the region this summer shows 85 per cent have acceptably clean hulls and are free from marine pests.

Hamish Lass, senior projects officer with Bay of Plenty Regional Council, says it’s a result that’s consistent with previous summer surveys.

“It’s encouraging that the Bay’s boaties and the many out-ofregion visitors that come here over the summer are continuing to do their bit to ensure that marine pests, such Mediterranean fanworm and clubbed tunicate sea squirt, don’t become established,” says Hamish.

hulls

“We all need to be aiming for 100 per cent compliance to be confident that our harbours stand a chance of remaining pest-free.

“Highly mobile marine pests, like the Asian Paddle crab, are almost impossible to eradicate once they become established. It’s why we ask all boat owners to ensure that they check their hulls are clean and free of marine pests before moving between regions.”

In a vital move for marine biosecurity, new rules are contained within the Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Plan 20202030, meaning boat hulls can’t have more than a light slime layer and/or barnacles when coming into or moving within the region.

Boaties are therefore advised to keep a good record of when their boat was last biofouled and to plan well ahead if a haul out is likely to be needed.

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