Sinking the Waikato
The Waikato is a Batch Two (narrow beam) Leander Class Frigate with an overall length of 113.2 metres, a beam of 12.4 metres and a draft of four metres.
As an anti-submarine warfare frigate, the Waikato was armed with twin 4.5in guns in the turret, two 20mm Orlikeon machine guns on the wings, a quad Seacat anti-aircraft missile launcher, six 12.75in anti-submarine torpedo tubes, one anti-submarine warfare Limbo mortar Mark 10 and a Wasp helicopter capable of delivering both depth charges and the Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedo.
In 1970 she suffered a major fire in her engine room which was pivotal in changing the way the Navy prepared its ships for fire and damage control.
During the Falklands crisis, the Waikato was stationed in the Indian Ocean to relieve a Royal Navy ship carrying anti-missile weapons.
The wreck of the Waikato is located 1500 metres south east of Motutara Island and 4.4 kilometres south of Tutukaka Head Light. For trips to the Waikato site see the Charter Boat listings on this website.