HMAS Gascoyne (K354)

The first HMAS "Gascoyne" (K354/F354/A276) was a "River" class frigate laid down by Morts Dock and Engineering Company at Mort's Dock in Balmain, New South Wales on 3 July 1942. She was launched on 20 February 1943 by Lady Wakehurst, wife of the Governor of New South Wales, and commissioned on 18 November 1943.

"Gascoyne" was present in Tokyo Bay on Victory over Japan Day (2 September 1945), when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed. [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq69-2.htm |title=Allied Ships Present in Tokyo Bay During the Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945 |accessdate=2007-01-13 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=27 May 2005 |publisher=Naval Historical Center - U.S. Navy|quote=Taken from "Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPAC/CINCPOA) A16-3/FF12 Serial 0395, 11 February 1946: Report of Surrender and Occupation of Japan"]

"Gascoyne" paid off into reserve on 12 April 1946 but re-commissioned at Sydney on 8 June 1959 for survey and oceanographic research duty. "Gascoyne" paid off again on 1 February 1966, was sold for scrap to the Fujita Salvage Company Limited of Osaka in Japan on 15 February 1972 and left Melbourne under tow for Japan on 6 July 1972.

References

* [http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Gascoyne_(I) RAN page for HMAS Gascoyne (I)]