HMAS Shepparton (J248)

HMAS "Shepparton" (J248/M248), named for the city of Shepparton, 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).cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Shepparton_(I) |title=HMAS Shepparton (I) |accessdate=2008-09-15 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia]

Construction

"Shepparton" was laid down on 14 November 1941 by HMA Naval Dockyard at Williamstown, Victoria, launched on 15 August 1942 by Lady Goudle, wife of the Victorian Commissioner of Public Works, and commissioned int the RAN on 1 February 1943.

Operational history

"Shepparton" entered operaional service in April 1943, and was primarily employed as an armed survey ship. "Shepparton" served in New Guinea and New Britain between April 1943 and October 1944, and in the waters of northern Australian until 1 February 1945, at which point she went to Brisbane for refitting. The refit concluded on 2 April 1945, with "Shepparton" assigned to various areas in northern Australia and the islands of New Guinea, before returning to Brisbane on 21 October 1945.

Fate

"Shepparton" paid off to reserve on 10 May 1946. She was towed to Sydney by sister ship HMAS "Deloraine" in early November 1947, where she remained until her sale for scrap on 20 February 1958. "Shepparton" was sold to the Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha company, and was towed to Japan by the "Shitako Maru".

References