HMAS Warrnambool (J202)
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.jpg/300px-HMAS_Warnabool_(AWM_301696).jpg) HMAS Warrnambool in 1941 before being commissioned, she flied the Red ensign until 23 september. |
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| Career (Royal Australian Navy) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | City of Warrnambool, Victoria |
| Builder: | Morts Dock & Engineering Co in Sydney |
| Laid down: | November 13, 1940 |
| Launched: | May 8, 1941 |
| Commissioned: | September 23, 1941 |
| Motto: | "Protect And Avenge" |
| Fate: | Sunk during mine clearance on September 13, 1947 |
| Badge: |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Bathurst class corvette |
| Displacement: | 650 tons (standard), 1,025 tons (full war load) |
| Length: | 186 ft (57 m) |
| Beam: | 31 ft (9.4 m) |
| Draught: | 8.5 ft (2.6 m) |
| Propulsion: | triple expansion engine, 2 shafts |
| Speed: | 15 knots at 1,750 hp |
| Complement: | 85 |
| Armament: | 1 x 4 inch gun 1 x 40mm Bofors AA gun (installed later) 3 x 20mm Oerlikon guns (1 later removed) machine guns depth charge chutes and throwers |
HMAS Warrnambool (J202), named for the city of Warrnambool, Victoria was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).[1] Warnambool was sunk when she collided with a mine in the Great Barrier Reef on September 13, 1947.[1] She was the only Bathurst class corvette to be lost while in Australian service but outside of World War II.
[edit] Construction
Warrnambool was laid down by Morts Dock & Engineering Co in Sydney on 13 November 1940.[1] She was launched on 8 May 1941 by Mrs Simpson, wife of a shipyard Director, and commissioned on 23 September 1941.[1]
[edit] Operational history
Warrnambool began her career with patrols of Bass Strait, before heading to northern waters.[1] She was in Darwin during the Bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942, although she was not damaged.[1] A day later, the corvette was involved in the rescue of 73 crew from the Filipino merchant vessel Don Isidro, following attacks by Japanese dive bombers.[1] During the rescue, Warrnambool was attacked by the Japanese, but only received minor damage. Over the next twelve months Warrnambool was invovled in five evacuations or rescues (including that of HMAS Voyager's crew following the destroyer running aground in September 1942), present for eighteen Japanese air raids, and transported over 4,000 troops to New Guinea.[1]
In late 1942, the corvette was transferred to the east coast of Australia, where she remained until September 1944, pferforming in convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols.[1] Following this, Warrnambool was assigned to Fremantle, Western Australia, where she performed similar duties until February 1945, when she returned to Darwin.[1] She was present at the Japanese surrender at Koepang, Timor, on 11 September 1945.[1]
Following the conclusion of World War II, Warrnambool performed mine clearance work in the Solomon and New Guinea Islands before moving to the Great Barrier Reef.[1] While performiong clearance work on September 13, 1947, the corvette hit a mine near Cockburn Reef, off the northern Queensland coast.[1] Four sailors were killed, and Warrnambool sank shortly afterwards.[1] The wreck was sold to Southern Cross Diving and Salvage on 3 July 1972.[1]
[edit] References
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