HMAS Huon (D50)

HMAS "Huon" (D50) was a "River" class torpedo boat destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The ship was laid down as HMAS "Derwent" by the Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Company Propriety Limited at Cockatoo Island, Sydney in New South Wales on 25 January 1913, launched on 19 December 1914 by Mrs Jensen, wife of the Honourable J.A. Jensen, Minister without Portfolio. She was renamed in October 1915, commissioned on 14 December 1915, and completed on 2 February 1916.

"Huon" first served with the British Far East Patrol at Sandakan in Borneo and Singapore. She later operated in the Mediterranean as part of the British 5th Destroyer Flotilla. She collided with sister ship HMAS "Yarra" on 8 August 1918, and underwent repairs at Genoa.

Following the conclusion of World War I, "Huon" returned to Australia on 21 May 1919. She escorted HMS "Renown" for the visit of Prince Edward of Wales to South Australia in 1920, and paid off into Reserve at Sydney on 9 August 1920. She was recommissioned on 22 April 1921 and served in Australian waters until she again paid off into Reserve at Sydney on 2 June 1922. "Huon" was recommissioned and based at Hobart for Naval Reserve training from 22 September 1924 to 26 May 1928.

"Huon" paid off into Reserve on 7 June 1928 and was sunk by gunfire as a target off Sydney on 10 April 1931.

External links

* [http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Huon_(I) Australian Navy history of HMAS "Huon"]