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| RAN Bathurst class corvette 650 Tons 186' x 31' x 8.5' 1 x 4" Mark IX gun 3 x 20mm cannon (later 2) 1 x 40mm Bofors (installed later) Machine guns Depth charge chutes and throwers |
Ship History Built by Morts Dock & Engineering Co in Sydney. Laid down November 13, 1940 as a Bathurst-class corvette. Launched May 8, 1941 as HMAS Warrnambool (J202) named for Warrnambool, Victoria sponsored by by Mrs Simpson, wife of a shipyard director. Commissioned September 23, 1941 in the Royal Australain Navy (RAN). Wartime History Warrnambool began patrolling the Bass Strait, then to the Northern Territory. On February 19, 1942 in Darwin Harbor during the Japanese air raid but was undamaged. The next day, rescued 73 crew from MV Don Isidro and was attacked by Japanese dive bombers but sustained only minor damage. Warrnambool was involved in five evacuations or rescues including rescuing the crew of HMAS Voyager that ran aground in September 1942. Warrnambool was present for eighteen Japanese air raids, and transported over 4,000 troops to New Guinea. On September 1, 1944 at 6:00pm with HMAS Whyalla (J153) joined by USS Darter (SS-227) and USS Dace (SS-247) for training exercises over the next four days practicing night radar approaches, evasive tactics and firing guns while enroute to Darwin. PARTIAL HISTORY Sinking History On September 13, 1947 at 4:00pm accidentally hit a mine near Cockburn Reef in the Great Barrier Reef at roughly Lat 11° 45.5’S, Long 143° 14.2’E. The ship quickly ansk in 82' / 25m with four were killed and 29 wounded. Warrnambool is the only RAN ship to be sunk by a mine. Shipwreck The shipwreck remains largely intact on her starboard side lying on the seafloor. During 1948, Royal Australian Navy divers recovered artifacts from the shipwreck including the bell that was returned to Warrnambool Town Council. In 1970, the Navy offered the shipwreck for purchase and removal. On July 3, 1972 sold to Southern Cross Diving and Salvage but never removed. During 2016, surveyed by HMAS Mermaid. Awards Warrnambool earned three battle honours: Darwin 1942, New Guinea 1942 and Pacific 1942–45. References Royal Australian Navy - HMAS Warnambool Contribute
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