HMAS Warrnambool (J202)

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).cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Warrnambool_(I) |title=HMAS Warrnambool (I) |accessdate=2008-09-15 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia] "Warnambool" was sunk when she collided with a mine in the Great Barrier Reef on 13 September 1947. She was one of only four "Bathurst" class corvettes to be lost while in Australian service, and the only one lost outside of World War II.

Construction

"Warrnambool" was laid down by Morts Dock & Engineering Co in Sydney on 13 November 1940. She was launched on 8 May 1941 by Mrs Simpson, wife of a shipyard Director, and commissioned on 23 September 1941.

Operational history

"Warrnambool" began her career with patrols of Bass Strait, before heading to northern waters. She was in Darwin during the Bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942, although she was not damaged. 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. 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.

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. Following this, "Warrnambool" was assigned to Fremantle, Western Australia, where she performed similar duties until February 1945, when she returned to Darwin. She was present at the Japanese surrender at Koepang, Timor, on 11 September 1945.

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. While performiong clearance work on 13 September 1947, the corvette hit a mine near Cockburn Reef, off the northern Queensland coast. Four sailors were killed, and "Warrnambool" sank shortly afterwards. The wreck was sold to Southern Cross Diving and Salvage on 3 July 1972.

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