St Christopher's Chapel

HMNZS Philomel, Naval Base

Devonport

Lawton & Osborne 1935 rebuilt Croft (2/15 electric)

Postcard

The Navy's association with Devonport began when Lieutenant Governor William Hobson, a Royal Navy Officer, arrived on board HMS Herald on 21 February 1840. He established Auckland as the colony's capital, and consequently the Waitemata Harbour became a regular anchorage for warships. In 1841 Hobson established a permanent naval presence at Devonport. Devonport Naval Base - HMNZ Naval Base - is now the home of the Royal New Zealand Navy and consists of HMNZS Philomel, the administration centre for the base, the Fleet Support Organisation, and the Fleet Personnel and Training Organisation. There are two chapels on the site, one the naval memorial chapel of St Christopher and the other the Catholic chapel of St Peter.

The organ was built in 1935 by Lawton & Osborne for the Nash family in Lower Hutt, near Wellington. It was removed from here following purchase by the Ex Naval Mens Association and installed in 1944 at St Christopher's Chapel. Originally with tubular-pneumatic action, the action was electrified by Croft in the 1960s, when minor tonal changes also took place. The casework, comprising two round towers to floor level and three flats, all capped by woodwork, is a fine example of the period.

Lawton & Osborne 1935 rebuilt Croft (2/15 electric)

GREAT Open Diapason Claribel Dulciana Principal Fifteenth SWELL Open Diapason Lieblich Flute Gamba Celeste Flute Trumpet Tremulant PEDAL Bourdon Quint Bass Flute COUPLERS Great Octave Swell Sub to Great Swell to Great Swell Octave to Great Swell Sub Octave Swell Octave Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal

8 8 8 4 2 8 8 8 8 4 8 16 10-2/3 8

A A A

Websites: http://www.navy.mil.nz/know-your-navy/history/naval-base.htm and http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-base/
Specification supplied by Bruce Thompson 2006

Postcard





Photos: Bruce Thompson Jan 2007