Commandeered for the war effort!

We often talk about how boats have stories. In 2025 it’s hard to imagine that in the midst of World War II, the trans-Pacific liner Niagara, was amongst boats lost to mines off the coast of Auckland and Northland after a German raider crept into our waters disguised as a friendly merchant ship and laid 228 mines in the Hauraki Gulf. 

To protect our waters it was all-hands-to-the-deck and the Royal New Zealand Navy established a division called Coastal Forces, which was made up of small boats including not only submarine chasers and motor hun boats, but also motor launches - often commandeered from private owners to patrol the coastline and deliver supplies to its outposts. 

Among these are the Lady Shirley, pictured. 

Lady Shirley featured at the launch of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival in 2023. Lady Shirley is a 36’ bridge-decker, built by C. Bailey & Son in 1936 with an additional 6ft added in 1939.She was purchased by the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1940 for coastal patrol and for 16 years she was used as the police boat on the Waitemāta.

Photos / Supplied by Tino Rawa Trust