HMAS Platypus (1917)

HMAS "Platypus" was a submarine depot ship and base ship operated by the Royal Australian Navy between 1919 and 1946.

Construction and acquisition

"Platypus" was built for the Royal Navy by John Brown and Company at Clydebank in Scotland, launched on 28 October 1916 and commissioned on 21 March 1917. The ship was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy and was commissioned into the RAN on 25 March 1919. "Platypus"’s main role was to support the RAN's six J class submarines, which she from Britain to Sydney between April and July 1919.

Operational history

HMAS "Platypus" and all six J class submarines were based at Geelong, Victoria in February 1920. Due to the poor condition of the submarines and financial pressure on the RAN the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service was disbanded in May 1922 and "Platypus" was redesignated as a destroyer tender. "Platypus" reverted to her original role as a submarine tender in 1929 when the RAN acquired two O class submarines but was used as a depot ship after these submarines were placed into reserve in 1930. On 15 August 1930 she was renamed HMAS "Penguin". She continued as a depot ship until 26 February 1941 when she was renamed HMAS "Platypus" and returned to seagoing service as a training ship.

In May 1941 "Platypus" sailed to Darwin to serve as a base ship. She survived the Japanese attack on Darwin in February 1942 and remained at Darwin until January 1943 when she sailed to Cairns, Queensland where she again served as a base ship until May 1944. In June 1944 "Platypus" received a major refit and sailed to New Guinea as a repair and maintenance vessel. She operated off New Guinea and Morotai Island until returning to Australia in December 1945.

Decommissioning and fate

"Platypus" was placed into reserve on 13 May 1946, paid off on 1 November 1956 and was sold for scrap on 20 February 1958.

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