HMAS Wagga

HMAS "Wagga" (J315), named after the city of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 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_Wagga |title=HMAS Wagga |accessdate=2008-09-16 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia] After war service, the corvette was recommisioned as a training vessel, and was repeatedly moved into and out of reserve. "Wagga" was decommissioned in 1960, making her the last of the Australian-operated corvettes.

Construction

"Wagga" was laid down by Morts Dock & Engineering Co in Sydney, New South Wales on 8 March 1942. She was launched on 25 July 1942 by Mrs H. E. Gissing, the mayor of Wagga Wagga, and commissioned into the RAN on 18 December 1942.

Operational history

"Wagga" entered service in January 1943, escorting convoys along the eastern Australian coast. Her area of operations extended into New Guinea in March, before the corvette operated in support of Operation Lilliput until June 1943. During the operation, on 14 April 1943, "Wagga" and several British and Dutch ships were attacked by over 100 Japanese aircraft. "Wagga" was not damaged, although several other ships were set on fire. Following Lilliput, she returned to convoy duties until the end of end of 1943.

"Wagga" visited Williamstown, Victoria for refits over December 1943 and January 1944, before spending the rest of the war operating in New Guinea. "Wagga" fulfilled many roles in this time; escorting convoys, performing anti-submarine patrols, transporting troops and supplies, and bombarding enemy land positions in support of Allied troops. At the conclusion of World War II, "Wagga" sailed for Hong Kong, arriving on 29 August 1945. She remained there until October 1945, conducting mine sweeping and anti-piracy patrols. The corvette returned to Melbourne on 7 November, and was decommissioned into reserve on 28 November.

The ship was reactivated and recommisioned as a training ship on 12 December 1951. As well as training reservists and National Service trainees, "Wagga" was called on to tow the cruiser HMAS "Hobart" to Newcastle in August 1952, perform patrols of New Guinea in 1954 and 1956, and assist in oceanographic surveys. "Wagga" underwent several refits and modernisations, and was decommissioned and recommissioned at least six times, one one occasion being in commission for only 11 days.

Fate

"Wagga" decommissioned for the final time on 28 October 1960, after travelling 190,000 nautical miles. She was the last of the "Bathurst" class to leave Australian service. The corvette was sold to the South Australia Carrying Co. for scrapping in March 1962.

Gallery

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