HMS Puriri was a converted 927-ton Anchor Company coaster that was commissioned into the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla on 19 April 1941.
While operating with another minesweeper, HMS Gale, off Bream Head in the northern approaches to the Hauraki Gulf, it struck a German contact mine, part of a 228-mine barrage laid on 13–14 June 1940 by the raider Orion. These mines had claimed their first victim, the trans-Pacific liner Niagara, on 19 June that year, fortunately without loss of life.
Rocked by a violent explosion, the Puriri sank so quickly that no lifeboats could be launched. The ship’s commanding officer, two stewards, a stoker and an able seaman – all of them former merchant seamen serving as naval reservists or under temporary (T 124) naval articles – were drowned, and five others were injured. The 26 survivors were rescued from the water by the Gale. [nzhistory.net]
"OFFICER AND FOUR MEN MISSING The minesweeper H.M.S. Puriri struck a mine and sank while carrying' out minesweeping' operations in Hauraki Gulf yesterday. An officer and four men are missing" and are presumed to have lost their lives. Three others were injured, but the remainder of the crew, comprising- five officers and 19 men, were uninjured and were saved. The loss of the ship Avas announced last night by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash). "The Government deeply regrets to announce the loss of H.M.S. Puriri," stated Mr. Nash. "H.M.S. Puriri was commissioned as a minesweeper in the 25th (New Zealand) Minesweeping Flotilla as recently as April 19 last. "She was engaged in mine-clearance operations in the Hauraki Gulf, when unfortunately—at about 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, May 14) —she struck a mine and sank immediately. "The Government deeply regrets that one officer and four men are missing and must be presumed to have lost their lives. Two men are injured and one bruised, and were brought into harbour in charge of a medical officer. The two injured are now in hospital. The remaining five officers and 19 men have been saved and are uninjured. "The Government is sure that the whole population of the Dominion will join with it in expressing their deep sympathy with the relatives of the lost officer and men in this, the first casualty to a New Zealand warship. The relatives will, however, derive comfort from the fact that these men lost their lives in the performance of their important and dangerous duty."" "MISSING AND PRESUMED DEAD. William Douglas Blacklaws, Lieutenant, R.N.R. (N.Z.). Mrs. Ruth Aline Blacklaws, 35 Argyle Street, Herne Bay, Auckland (w.). Leon Purkin, Able Seaman. Mrs. Mary Marioty, Te Hoe, Putaruru (m.). John Richardson, Steward. George Edward Roy Hobley, Steward. Mrs. Dorothy Hobley, 55 Gribblehurst Road, Sandringham, Auckland (w.). Barndt August Matson, Stoker Petty Officer. Mr. Benjamin Matson, Whenuapai, Auckland (f.)." [Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 113, 15 May 1941, Page 10]
"MISS!NG LIEUTENANT SERVICE IN THE NAVY Thirty-seven years of age. Lieutenant Douglas William Blacklaws. Royal Naval Reserve, who was in command of the minesweeper Puriri when she struck a mine in the Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday, and who is missing, was born in Scotland and trained as a naval cadet in England. He came to New Zealand while serving in the mercantile marine, and for four years was navigating officer in the Aorangi. On the outbreak of war he was called up for service with the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy and served for a time as navigating officer in H.M.S. Monowai. Later he was first officer and flotilla navigator in a minesweeper.
Lieutenant Blacklaws married an Auckland girl four years ago, and is survived by his wife and two-year-old daughter. His mother lives in Aberdeen. One of his brothers was in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Of the other four missing men from the crew of the Puriri, Able-Seaman Leon Purkin was born in Auckland 27 years ago and had done six months' service in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. His mother, Mrs. M. Moriarty, lives at 12 Burnley Terrace, Sandringham. Another of the crew, Steward George Edward Roy Hobley, was born in Donegal and saw service with the mercantile marine before enlisting two months ago. His wife lives at 55 Gribble-Hirst Road, Mount Albert." [New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 8]
