| History | |
|---|---|
 New Zealand | |
| Name | HMNZS Gale (T04) |
| Builder | Scott & Sons, Bowling |
| Yard number | 331 |
| Launched | 1 August 1935 |
| Completed | September 1935 |
| Commissioned | 3 April 1941 |
| Decommissioned | 26 October 1944 |
| Identification | UK official number: 132528 |
| Fate | Returned to owner 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 179 ft 6 in (54.71 m) |
| Beam | 30 ft 1 in (9.17 m) |
| Draught | 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m) |
| Propulsion | British Auxiliaries Ltd. diesel engines, 725 bhp, one shaft |
| Speed | 10 to 11 knots (19 to 20 km/h; 12 to 13 mph) |
| Complement | 42 |
| Sensors and processing systems | |
| Armament |
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HMNZS Gale (T04) was a coastal cargo boat which was requisitioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and converted into a minesweeper. She was the first New Zealand vessel to go into action against Japan.
Gale was owned by the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company. She was one of four ships requisitioned as a consequence of the Orion's minefield and the loss of the liner Niagara, the others being Matai, Puriri and Rata. She was taken over on 10 October 1940 and handed to the dockyard for conversion. She was a sister ship to Breeze.