She would be used as a minesweeper during World War II, and is currently wrecked at Port Hutt, Chatham Island.

[2][3] She would return to Auckland, one week after war was declared, she discharged her catch and would be shifted to the Devonport Naval Base, as it had been commandeered by the government.

[3][4][5] On the morning of 19 June 1940, a distress signal was received from the passenger ship RMS Niagara, reporting it had struck a naval mine between Bream Head, and the Moko Hinau Islands and was sinking.

[4] Thomas Currell would be paid off in September 1944, with work to convert her back into a fishing trawler completed by late 1945.

[6] The Thomas Currell would be examined and it was found the trawler needed some hull repairs, with work being carried out by Mason Bros Engineering Co Ltd in the Devonport drydock.

[8] This caused Lenagham considerable anxiety so in 1968, he decided to rid himself of the problem and would run the Thomas Currell ashore at full speed at Port Hutt.