Liberty ships

Date: ca 1943-1945

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: WH-0461-F

Description: Original caption reads: "NZEF IP [New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific]. Wharf operating unit unloading a Liberty ship at a port in New Caledonia [during World War 2]. Unloading party from a base camp working the hold. Canteen goods are being taken out." Official war photograph taken between circa 1943-1945. Photographer unidentified. Identified from original print of this negative in album PA1-q-303, page 36 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: between 1942 and 1959

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021647-G

Description: Two American Liberty ships at Port Chalmers; number 97, the 'Frank Joseph Irwin' with a tugboat alongside; and number 93, the 'Lincoln Steffens'. A dredge is visible behind the 'Frank Joseph Irwin'; and the sheer-legs in the foreground. Probably photographed by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the De Maus studio in 1932. For information about the ships see "The Liberty ships" (p 65) by L A Sawyer (WN 623.824 SAW 1970) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: between 1942 and 1959

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021651-F

Description: Steamship Port Jackson in the foreground, with the American Liberty ships 'Frank Joseph Irwin (No. 97), and 'Lincoln Steffens' (No. 93) partially obscured behind an unidentified steamship, and an American icebreaker in the centre. Photographed at Port Chalmers, probably by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the David Alexander De Maus studio in 1932. The twin-screw motor vessel Port Jackson was built in 1937 for the Port Line. See Ships with New Zealand Associations (Vol 6, p 69). Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: between 1942 and 1959

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021645-G

Description: The American Liberty ship number 93 (the 'Lincoln Steffens') and an unidentified American icebreaker at Port Chalmers. The sheer-legs is visible in the foreground. Probably photographed by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the De Maus studio in 1932. For information about the ship see "The Liberty ships" (p 65) by L A Sawyer (WN 623.824 SAW 1970) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: between 1942 and 1959

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021643-G

Description: Four steamships berthed at Port Chalmers; from left to right, the American Liberty ships 'Lincoln Steffens' (No. 93), and 'Frank Joseph Irwin (No. 97), the 'Orari', and the 'Port Jackson'. Photographed probably by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the David Alexander De Maus studio in 1932. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: 1993, 1941-1948

By: Eyre, Patricia Naomi, 1916-2006

Reference: MS-Papers-11851

Description: Transcript of a memoir by Patricia Eyre, wife of New Zealand politician, Dean Eyre, of their family's wartime experience in San Francisco following the bombing of Pearl Harbour. Describes how she and her husband came to be in Hawaii in late 1941 before being evacuated to California in 1942, her search for war work, and her training as a welder working on Liberty ships at the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California. Recounts details of her shift work at the shipyard and of her experience in welding. Also includes informal accounts of her husband's activities with the National Party and of meetings with Peter Fraser and Gordon Coates. Attached are photocopies of her certificates in welding, union membership certificates for the International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, Iron Ship Builders and Helpers of America, pay receipts, war savings bond application, and United States War Department Notification of Personnel Action. Source of title - Transcribed Dean Eyre, who later became a National Party figure, was working for an American firm in Hawaii in 1941 at the time of the Pearl Harbour attack. His family, comprising his wife, Patricia, and their son, were evacuated to California. Patricia Eyre wrote an account of their experiences. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript, Photocopied printed matter Provenance: Patricia Eyre gave Ms Judith Trotter this manuscript in Ottawa in 1993

Date: 23 Nov 1994

From: The Merchant Navy story

By: Blackie, Carl Joseph, 1911-1998

Reference: OHInt-0321-03

Description: Joe Blackie was born in Dunedin in 1911. Recalls education in Balclutha and at Caversham High School, running away from home, cutting flax as first job then taking variety of farm, labouring and outdoors work at Manuka Creek, Ettrick, Outram, Franz Joseph, Waiheka, Bruce Bay, Martin's Bay and Hollyford. Details wages, cost of living, walking to different areas. Describes training for the Territorial Army Reserves, medical discharge and working as instructor for Home Guard at Godfrey Head. Mentions Fred Jones, Minister of Defence. Talks about going to sea in 1940 with the New Zealand Shipping Co on the Surrey and returning from the United Kingdom on the Hurunui. Details torpedoing of the Hurunui, being picked up by the St. Margaret, transfer to Royal Navy ship, return to Glasgow and London and survivor's leave. Mentions British Sailors Society. Talks about later ships: the Ormonde; the troopship Almanzara; the Framlington Court; the Reino del Pacifico; the Sydney Star. Recalls joining the Royal Air Force, then working at Lockheed Aircraft works in Renfrew before returning to sea. Recounts hospitalisation in Rangoon due to tuberculosis, final discharge and returning to England as Distressed British Seaman. Talks about Hugh Hogarth & Sons, the Empire Duchess, the Highland Monarch, the Baron Ramsay and the Liberty ships at Gibraltar in 1945. Discusses incidents at sea, wages, final discharge from Merchant Navy and difficulties getting service medals. Outlines various jobs after the war in the United Kingdom. Recalls joining the Royal Marines during the Berlin Airlift. Talks about being in London for the Coronation in 1953. Describes returning to New Zealand on the Captain Cook as an assisted immigrant. Talks about Blackie and Harrington families. Outlines brother's academic career and position as former Director General of Agriculture in Hong Kong. Interviewer(s) - Stan Kirkpatrick Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.45 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4442. Search dates: 1994

Date: between 1942 and 1959

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021656-F

Description: Two American Liberty ships at Port Chalmers; the 'Frank Joseph Irwin' (No. 97), escorted by a tugboat, with a dredge partially visible behind; and the 'Lincoln Steffens' (no. 93), partially out of vision. Probably photographed by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the De Maus studio in 1932. For information about the ships see "The Liberty ships" (p 65) by L A Sawyer (WN 623.824 SAW 1970) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: between 1942 and 1946

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021646-G

Description: The American Liberty ship number 93 (the 'Lincoln Steffens') arriving at Port Chalmers. Probably photographed by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the De Maus studio in 1932. For information about the ship see "The Liberty ships" (p 65) by L A Sawyer (WN 623.824 SAW 1970) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: between 1942 and 1959

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021650-F

Description: Steamship Port Jackson, and partially obscured behind an unidentified steamship, the American Liberty ship 'Frank Joseph Irwin' (No. 97). Photographed at Port Chalmers, probably by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the David Alexander De Maus studio in 1932. The twin-screw motor vessel Port Jackson was built in 1937 for the Port Line. See Ships with New Zealand Associations (Vol 6, p 69). Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: between 1942 and 1959

From: De Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negatives

By: Matheson, Catherine Euphemia, active 1932-1950

Reference: 1/1-021644-G

Description: Two American Liberty ships at Port Chalmers; the 'Frank Joseph Irwin' (No. 97) with tugboat escort; and the 'Lincoln Steffens' (No. 93). Probably photographed by Catherine Euphemia Matheson who took over the De Maus studio in 1932. For information about the ships see "The Liberty ships" (p 65) by L A Sawyer (WN 623.824 SAW 1970) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: 09 Mar 1994

From: The Merchant Navy story

By: Moore, Robert Gregory, 1924-1994

Reference: OHInt-0321-18

Description: Robert Moore was born in 1924, in Widnes, Lancashire. Backgrounds schooling and work as a joiner. Tells of joining the Merchant Navy in 1943, sailing on the Empire Lance of the Landing Ships Infantry as a fireman and boiler attendant. Describes the ship including its engines and boilers in detail. Outlines six months of dummy run landings in Scotland. Talks in detail about D-Day landings in 1944 carrying British Green Howards and dropping marines at Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches. Outlines weather predictions from American meteorologists, troops numbers and movements, landing craft, ammunition and explosives. Tells of the sinking of a sister ship during doodlebug attack. Mentions later medal received from the Normandy Veterans Association for the liberation of France. Talks about later work on the Empress of Australia, returning troops to Hong Kong and transporting freed prisoners from Stanley Camp. Describes the conditions of these men. Outlines transfer to the Themistocles travelling to New Zealand, meeting his wife and decision to stay in Dunedin. Talks about long career with the Union Steam Ship Company until retirement aged sixty. Describes various positions held including greaser, pumpman and donkeyman. Refers to the 1951 waterfront strike while aboard the Wainui, and describes this ship. Other ships discussed were the Monowai, the Canberra, the Maui Pomare and the Marama. Interviewer(s) - Stan Kirkpatrick Accompanying material - Includes photocopy of obituary notice for Robert Gregory Moore. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 45 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4457. Photocopied photograph, probably of Robert Gregory Moore.. Photocopied photograph of L.S.I.L. Empire Lance, W.W.II. Search dates: 1994

Date: 1943-1955

From: Waters, Sydney David, 1883-1965 : Papers

By: Stewart, I G, active 1955

Reference: MS-Papers-8455-50

Description: A copy of `Liberty vessels under the British flag' by I G Stewart of the New Zealand Shipping Company Limited. The paper is about Liberty vessels, a modification of a British designed tramp steamer which was purchased by British cargo liner and trampship owners at the end of World War Two from the Ministry of Transport. Quantity: 1 folder(s).