HMAS Toowoomba (J157)

HMAS "Toowoomba" (J157/B251/A125), named for the city of Toowoomba, Queensland was one of 60 "Bathurst" class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built on Admiralty order but manned by personnel of and later commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Toowoomba_(I) |title=HMAS Toowoomba (I) |accessdate=2008-09-15 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia] The ship later served in the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN) as HNLMS "Boeroe".

Construction

"Toowoomba" was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland on 6 August 1940. She launched on 26 March 1941, in a ceremony presided over by Mrs. C. W. Lowther, the wife of a long serving employee of the shipyard. "Toowoomba" was commissioned on 9 October 1941.

Operaional history

RAN

"Toowoomba" entered operaional service immediately on commissioning. She was initially based in Sydney, and was tasked with convoy escort duties along the east coast of Australia until January 1942, when "Toowoomba" and two sister ships were ordered to Batavia. "Toowoomba" was in constant action over the next two months, and on 14 February was one of the last ships to enter Singapore Harbour before it was captured by the Japanese.

Retreating to Fremantle, Western Australia after the capture of Singapore, "Toowoomba" recommenced convoy escort duties, this time on the west coast of Australia and with a new crew, until assignment to the British Eastern Fleet on 23 November 1942. During this time, she was involved in escort and patrol duties across the Indian Ocean, reaching as far west as the Persian Gulf. On 22 November 1944, "Toowoomba" was assigned to the newly-created British Pacific Fleet, and operated with the fleet until returning to Fremantle on 3 December 1944 for refit. The refit was completed in March 1945, and "Toowoomba" was assigned to escort and patrol duties between Australia and New Guinea until the end of hostilities.

Following the end of World War II, "Toowoomba" spent time in Hong Kong, performing minesweeping and hydrological survey duties. She returned to Australia in December 1945.

RNN

On 5 July 1946, "Toowoomba" decommissioned from RAN service and immediately commissioned into the Royal Netherland Navy (RNN). Renamed HNLMS "Boeroe", she served with the RNN until 1958.

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