It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls near the cannon on war ships. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck was the problem. The best storage method devised was to stack them as a square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon.

There was only one problem -- how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate with sixteen round indentations, called a Monkey. But if this plate was made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it.

The solution to the rusting problem was to make Brass Monkeys. Few land lubbers realise that brass contracts much more and faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would come right off the monkey.

Thus, it was quite literally, cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. And all this time, you thought that was a vulgar expression, didn't you? 

Old Steam Warship prepared for Sinking 

(nzpa/Saturday, 24 February 2007)

The well-worn and rusty hulk of the Navy's last steam warship has arrived at its new berth in the Bay of Islands before it becomes the country's latest dive attraction this year.

The Leader-class frigate, the former HMNZS Canterbury, was towed up the east coast from the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland yesterday to Opua in the Bay of Islands where it will be stripped of anything valuable in the next few months. 

The 37-year-old ship was decommissioned by the Navy two years ago and sold to the Bay of Islands Canterbury Charitable Trust for $1 last year.

The 3000-tonne, 113 metre ship is to be sunk in Deep Water Cove near Cape Brett at the northern end of the Bay of Islands, probably in October or November.

The ship would be berthed at the Opua Wharf, the same wharf where a sister ship, the former HMNZS Waikato was berthed before it was sunk several years ago as a dive attraction off Ngunguru.

Canterbury will be the third leander class frigate to be sunk for diving around the coast of New Zealand. 

Canterbury (F421) is finally for divers only now. 

(3rd November 2007)

The following are pictures of 'Canterbury' being sent to the bottom of Deep Water Cove to attract divers and sea life. 

I, along with others, tried to have the frigate 'Canterbury' saved as a monument and have the Navy Museum aboard it. We where not successful in that venture, as you can see.

Thanks to the Royal New Zealand Naval Association (RNZNA) website. 

You can view a video here of TV3's footage of the sinking

Video of Canterbury 1 week later on the bottom from TV3 

"Yesterday was the funeral of young Richard Watson (A Royal Marine) who was killed in action in Afghanistan recently.

The Corps RSM Eric Conway said a few words ........ he said...with authority

'It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech

It is the soldier, not the campus organiser, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag and who's coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.' "

Note.......For the word soldier you could read Service man or Woman. 

A lapel badge for HMNZS Canterbury has been made and is for sale. $12.00 each incl P&P within NZ. They are made by the same company that did the Endeavour and Royalist badges and the quality can be vouched for. As soon as I receive a picture of one I will posted it here.

Badges may be ordered from former WOWTR Banjo Patterson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please make you cheques payable to R. Patterson.

Send to:   4/86 Divich Avenue, Te Atatu South, Auckland 0610.