HMAS Warrnambool (J 202)

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Career Australia

Builder:	Mort's Dock and Engineering
Laid down:	November 13, 1940
Launched:	May 8, 1941
Commissioned:	September 23, 1941
Out of service:	September 13, 1947
Status:	Sunk during mine clearance
General Characteristics
Displacement:	1,025 tons (full war load)
Length:	186 feet
Beam:	31 feet
Draught:	8.5 feet
Speed:	15 knots at 1750 hp
Complement:	approximately 80 sailors
Armament:	Armament Variable - but including in general: 1x twelve pounder gun, 1x 4 inch gun, 1x 40mm Bofors AA gun, 3x single 20mm Oerlikon guns, up to 40x depth charges
Motto:	Protect And Avenge

See HMAS Warrnambool for other ships of this name.

The first HMAS Warrnambool was a Bathurst class corvette laid down by Mort’s Dock and Engineering Co Ltd of Sydney on the 13 November 1940, launched on 8 May 1941, by Mrs Simpson, wife of a Director of Mort’s Dock and Engineering Co Ltd and commissioned later that year. HMAS Warrnambool served during World War II and was mainly involved in troop transport, rescue missions and anti-submarine patrols. With the cessation of hostilities, Warrnambool was present at the Japanese surrender at Koepang, Timor, on 11 September 1945.

On 13 September 1947, whilst engaged in mine clearance work Warrnambool struck a mine in the vicinity of Cockburn Reef off the Queensland coast, and sank shortly afterwards. Four sailors were killed during the incident. On 3 July 1972 the wreck was sold to Southern Cross Diving and Salvage.