HMS Maori

HMS Maori was a destroyer of the Royal Navy that served during the Second World War. She was named after the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.

Design and Construction

HMS Maori was a Tribal-class destroyer, a class of destroyers that were designed for high speed and heavy firepower. She was built by Fairfield in Govan, Scotland, and launched on 2 September 1937.

Service History

During World War II, HMS Maori served in several theatres of war. She was involved in the Norwegian Campaign, the Battle of Dunkirk, and the Battle of the Atlantic. In 1942, she was transferred to the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Malta Convoys and the Second Battle of Sirte.

Sinking

On 12 February 1942, while at anchor in Valletta, Malta, HMS Maori was bombed by Luftwaffe aircraft and sunk. Her wreck was later scuttled outside the harbour. Today, the wreck of HMS Maori is a popular site for divers.

Legacy

The legacy of HMS Maori continues to be remembered today. In Malta, the site where she was sunk is now known as Maori Point. In New Zealand, her name is carried on by the Maori Battalion, a unit of the New Zealand Army that served during World War II.