 Charles H. Davis underway in Boston Harbor, 30 January 1963, five days after being placed in service | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USNSCharles H. Davis |
| Namesake | Rear AdmiralCharles Henry Davis |
| Builder | Christy Corporation,Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin |
| Laid down | 15 June 1961 |
| Launched | 30 June 1962 |
| Christened | 30 June 1962 |
| Commissioned | 25 January 1963 |
| Fate | Transferred to RNZN |
| History | |
 New Zealand (RNZN) | |
| Name | HMNZSTui |
| Namesake | TheTūī bird |
| Commissioned | 11 September 1970 |
| Decommissioned | 1997 |
| Fate | Sunk as dive wreck, 1999 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Conrad class oceanographic ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 63.7 m (209 ft) |
| Beam | 11.4 m (37 ft) |
| Draught | 4.7 m (15 ft) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h) |
| Complement | (NZ) 36 plus up to 10 scientists |
HMNZSTui, formerlyUSNSCharles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5), was one of nineConrad classoceanographic ships built for theUnited States Navy (USN), that later saw service in theRoyal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Serving with the USN from 1963 to 1970, these ships were designed to perform acoustic experiments on sound transmission underwater, and for gravity, magnetism and deep-ocean floor studies.
The ship was recommissioned into the RNZN in late 1970, and as HMNZSTui served as an oceanographic survey and research ship until her decommissioning in 1997. In 1999, the ship was scuttled as adive wreck.
The fourth ship to be so named by the Navy,Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5) was laid down byChristy Corporation inSturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 30 June 1962; launched 30 June 1962; sponsored by Mrs.Roy Alexander Gano, wife of Admiral Roy Alexander Gano, CommanderMSTS; delivered to the Navy 25 January 1963 and turned over to theMilitary Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) 25 January 1963.
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In 1970, she was transferred to the RNZN, and was commissioned on 11 September 1970 as HMNZSTui.Tui was named after theTūī bird, and was the second of two shipswith this name to serve in the RNZN.
After a partial refit and the installation and testing of scientific equipment,Tui began a program of work for the Defence Scientific Establishment in Auckland. For yearsTui went unobtrusively about the kind of work she was designed for, primarilyunderwater acoustics.
Tui worked in Australian, Indian Ocean and South Pacific waters. She worked onAuckland University research, with DSIR scientists, and with other oceanographic ships.Tui also took part in several American research programs. Her acoustic research was mainly to do with the detection and tracking of submarines.
During the 1970s she made an extensive search for theMaria Theresa Reef.
In 1997,Tui was decommissioned and was replaced by the hydrographic shipHMNZSResolution.
In February 1999,Tui was scuttled 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) fromTutukaka Heads to serve as a tourist attraction and wreck for divers, following a period of work on her which removed any objects in danger of breaking free and welding shut any areas that may have posed a hazard for wreck divers.[1] Her anchor was presented to theCity of Napier.[2]
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35°35′00″S174°32′22″E / 35.5832°S 174.5394°E /-35.5832; 174.5394
