- HMAS Stawell
HMAS "Stawell" (J348/M348) was a "Bathurst" class
corvette named for the town ofStawell, Victoria . Sixty "Bathurst" class corvettes were constructed during World War II, and "Stawell" was one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by theRoyal Australian Navy (RAN).cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/HMAS_Stawell_(I) |title=HMAS Stawell (I)|accessdate=2008-08-27 |work=HMA Ship Histories |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Royal Australian Navy]The corvette later served in the
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) as HMNZS "Stawell".Construction
"Stawell" was laid down by
HMA Naval Dockyard at Williamstown, Victoria on 18 June 1942. She was launched on 3 April 1943 by Mrs. J. J. Dedman, wife of the Minister for War Organisation, and commissioned into the RAN on 7 August 1943.Operational History
RAN
The majority of "Starwell"'s career was spent in three areas. Initially, she served as a convoy escort along the east coast of Australia. Following this, "Stawell" participated in a variety of escort, minesweeping, and combat roles throughout
New Guinea waters. In the final third of her career, the ship spent time inHong Kong waters, performing minsweeping and anti-piracy duties. "Stawell" returned to Brisbane in November 1945.RNZN
"Stawell" was removed from RAN service on 26 March 1946. On 5 March 1952, "Stawell" and three other "Bathurst" class corvettes (HMA Ships "Echuca", "Inverell", and "Kiama") were transferred to the
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). [cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/HMAS_Inverell_%28I%29 |title=HMAS Inverell (I) |accessdate=2008-08-27 |work=HMA Ship Histories |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Royal Australian Navy]She was commissioned into the RNZN,When given the prefix HMNZS, and remained in service until the late 1950s, when she was placed into Reserve.
Fate
"Stawell" was sold to Pacific Scrap Limited of
Auckland ,New Zealand in July 1968, and was broken up for scrap.ee also
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Corvettes of the Royal New Zealand Navy References
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