Ship histories and stories

Occasional Paper 64: HMCS Protector – 1900 to the Present

October 30, 2019

October 2019

By Kingsley Perry, Committee member, Naval Historical Society of Australia

Occasional Paper Number 62 about the navy in South Australia from colonial days included reference to the acquisition of HMCS Protector in 1884 and her service in South Australia until 1900. She was then offered up to the imperial government as part of the expedition to China and the Boxer Rebellion.

She joined the ‘Eight Nation Alliance’ to protect their interest in China, temporarily commissioned as HMS Protector. It was thought that her shallow draft would be useful, but that turned out not to be a particularly useful attribute, but she carried out useful work in surveying and despatching. She returned to Australia in November 1900. In 1901 Protector was absorbed into the Commonwealth of Australia Naval Force.

She was then used as a training ship until becoming part of the new Royal Australian Navy in 1911. Now as HMAS Protector, she was modified as a patrol vessel and as a tender to the warship HMAS Cerberus. At the start of World War I she became parent/tender to the submarines AE1 and AE2, and in August 1914 accompanied them to German New Guinea waters. When the German colonies surrendered in September, Protector remained in Rabaul as a port guard ship, and then returned to Australia with HMAS Fantome in October 1914.

In October 1915 Protector sailed to the Cocos Islands for two months to investigate the salvage of SMS Emden. She then returned to Melbourne to resume tender duties for Cerberus, and also acted as a minesweeper in Victorian waters. In 1921 she was renamed HMAS Cerberus II and was used as a tender for the Flinders Naval Depot.

In 1924 the old Protector finished her career as a warship. Her armaments, turrets and engines were sold and she was converted to a lighter. She was sold in 1931 and renamed Sidney, as a wool lighter. Her service in war, however, was not yet over.

In 1943 she was requisitioned by the US Army and taken north. However, on the way she was damaged during a collision with a tug and was abandoned on a beach near Gladstone, Queensland. There she lay, her life seemingly well and truly over. But there was still some signs of life left in the old hulk yet.

The hulk was purchased for the princely sum of ten pounds by Captain Christian Poulson who owned the Heron Island tourist resort in the Great Barrier Reef. It was refloated and taken to Heron Island to be scuttled and used as a breakwater. It is still there today, lying on the reef crest at the entrance to the harbour.

Poulson established a tourist hotel on Heron Island in 1932. By 1943, at the time he acquired what remained of the old Protector, the island was declared a national park. At that time the resort comprised a large main building, some cabins, a tennis court, and water treatment facilities. When the war ended, Poulson opened up tours, and founded Barrier Reef Airways to provide a weekly Catalina flying boat service from Brisbane. In 1950 a marine research station was established, and marine research and education continues as a major aspect of the island’s activities. The resort was taken over by P&O Australian Resorts in 1980, has been renovated a number of times, and is a popular tourist destination.

The deteriorated and rusted hulk of the Protector clearly marks the entrance to the channel to the small harbour, and is one of the first sights for visitors as they arrive at the island. The management of the resort goes to good lengths to educate visitors about the history of this remarkable ship.

Other pieces of the Protector are preserved elsewhere. Her stern 6-inch breech-loading gun is outside TS Adelaide at the Birkenhead Naval Deport in Birkenhead, South Australia. A 4-inch quick firing gun is on display outside the Elizabeth and Salisbury Navy Club in Elizabeth, South Australia. The ship’s wheel is on display at the RAN Heritage Centre in Garden Island, Sydney.

Wreck of HMCS *Protector*, Image by Kobus & Lorraine Malan

Occasional Paper 58: Postcards Home

July 6, 2019

July 2019

An interest in philately has led to a collection of post cards from a century past showing the Pacific colonies of the German Empire. These help bring to life the story of the transit of the German Asiatic Squadron from its base at Tsingtao across the Indian and Pacific Oceans until its eventual demise off the cold and dark waters of the Falkland Islands. This article summarises an award-winning exhibit at the Canberra Stampshow 2014 held in March.

The Colonies

Germany was a latecomer to overseas colonies but made up for lost time in the latter part of the 19th century. To help penetrate world markets a series of colonies was acquired between 1884 and 1899 extending from southern China through chains of oceanic islands to New Guinea. These comprised Chinese concessions at Kiautshou and Chefoo, and colonies/ protectorates at Bougainville Island, Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, German New Guinea, Solomon Islands and German Samoa. A naval base and small garrison was established at the Chinese concession with an administrative centre at Tsingtao. A further administrative centre was at Rabaul in New Pomerania, Kaiser-Wilhelmsland (German New Guinea).

SMY Hohenzollern

Kaiser Wilhelm II had a great attachment for his navy, epitomised by his royal yacht Seiner Majestät Yacht Hohenzollern. With a length of 390 ft (116 m), 46 ft (14 m) beam, 19 ft (5.7 m) draught, displacing over 4,300 tons and capable of 22 knots with a complement of 600 officers and men this was indeed a stately floating palace. She was used extensively taking the royal party on summer cruises and fleet reviews. In twenty years of active service the Kaiser is said to have spent over four years onboard. In June 1914 at the Kiel Regatta officers of the British fleet were entertained on board only two months before the outbreak of WW I. Importantly in philatelic circles the Hohenzollern image was used as the definitive design for nearly all German colonial postage stamps issued between 1900 and 1919.

The Homeward Journey

The first post card which shows the cruiser SMS Gneisnau was posted from Tsingtao on 13 March 1913. In translation this reads: Dear Parents, One day after I sent my last letter to you, this was 13th March, received your parcel by the steamer York containing the bag for a telescope and other nice things. Naturally I was very glad about it and thank you very much and I send my best wishes. Your warm hearted son, Ernst.

On 23 August 1914 Japan declared war on Germany and promptly blockaded Tsingtao but by this time Vice Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee and his German Asiatic Squadron had departed. Following a bitter struggle supported by British troops the Japanese claimed the German concession. There is a post card from this period showing the Japanese cruiser Soya. She had an interesting history, being built in the United States as Variag for the Russian Navy. Being badly damaged in the Russo-Japanese war she was scuttled but salvaged and repaired by the victors. Soya then served as a cadet ship until 1916 when sold back to the Russians. After refitting in Britain she served as a depot ship until wrecked on her way to the breakers in 1920.

Next is a post card from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force of 1,383 men who effected an unopposed occupation of Samoa on 29 August 1914. Life in this quiet backwater was interrupted on 14 September by the arrival of the German cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. An intended dawn raid to destroy Allied shipping and cut communications did not eventuate when it was discovered the only vessel in harbour was an American sailing ship. The cruisers withdrew seeking better game.

A postcard dated 21 September which in part reads: ‘Things are pretty deadly in Samoa and the heat is awful and the bugs, ants and mosquitoes make night hideous and none of the boys are feeling too well and next month when the rainy season commences many no doubt will be down with fever. Two big German warships entered the harbour last week and alarmed the Corps but they cleared out without a fight. They are still off the coast, however, so we may yet have a scrap. Everyone is sick of Samoa and we all want to go to Europe, but suppose we will have to stick it out here for months yet.’

By 22 September the German cruisers had reached Tahiti where they conducted a half-hearted bombardment. This was answered by a shore battery of 4-inch guns taken from the gunboat Zelee. The gunboat had been scuttled to block the harbour and the stockpile of coal set alight. The Germans again withdrew but by this time their intentions were becoming clearer in making for South America.

Following the decisive Battle of Coronel where the German squadron defeated a Royal Naval squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock, the victors called at Valparaiso primarily to coal ship. From here a post card was sent from the Captain of SMS Nurnberg to the Mayor of Nurnberg dated 3 November 1914. Translated, this reads: ‘A quick note to say the SMS Numberg sank the English heavy cruiser Monmouth on the night of 1st November off the coast of Coronel (Conception Bay, Chile). The weather was stormy. The conditions of the whole engagement was excellent.’ This card most likely went in diplomatic mail via the German Consulate.

The revenge by a superior Royal Naval force over von Spee’s squadron off the Falklands on 8 December 1914 is well known. Only one warship, SMS Dresden (a sister ship of Emden), escaped to hide in the expansive Chilean fiords, until she too was cornered by HM Ships Glasgow and Kent at Juan Fernandez Island (famed home of Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe).

Finally there are two postcards of British manufacture showing Dresden at Juan Fernandez, taken before her magazine detonated. One card shows a ship’s boat approaching Dresden and the other a close-up of shell splinter damage. On 14 March 1915 after a few shots were fired by both sides Dresden’s Kapitan zur See Ludecke, knowing his situation was hopeless, raised the white flag and sent Leutnant Wilhelm Canaris (later Admiral) to negotiate with the British. However, this was merely a ruse to buy time so that the crew could abandon ship and scuttle her by detonating the forward magazine. Dresden then sank with her battle ensign flying and most of her crew were saved to be interned in Chile.

Publication December 2014 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
By Peter Brigden

Occasional Paper 51: The Attack Class Patrol Boat

April 12, 2019

April 2019

By Dennis J Weatherall JP TM AFAITT(L) LSM

Volunteer Researcher, Naval Historical Society of Australia

Patrol boats have proven to be the most flexible and versatile elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) since World War 2. Every day they are at sea patrolling Australian waters and protecting our national interests. They play an active role in the enforcement of Australian legislation pertaining to; illegal immigration, fishing, quarantine and smuggling.

Between World War 2 and 2019 the Royal Australian Navy has operated five classes of patrol boats commencing with the Bathurst class built between 1940 and 1942. Then followed the Ton class, Attack class, Fremantle class and in current service, the Armidale class.

Experience during the period of Indonesian Confrontation (1963-6) with the Ton class demonstrated the value of small vessels for patrol and interdiction tasks. However, the Ton class propulsion system was not suited to loitering and they were expensive to maintain. This experience led the RAN to introduce the Attack class to conduct patrol work in Australian territorial waters.

This paper examines the design, construction and operations of the Attack class and provides some insight into their habitability.

HMAS ADVANCE launched 16th August 1967,
commissioned 6 February 1968. ANMM image

User Requirement

The requirement for a new Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boat design commenced in May 1963 with an official request from Navy for a preliminary feasibility study for a boat of simple characteristics, around 70-80 feet in length with a speed of approximately 12 knots, and accommodation for a minimum of 2 Officers, 2 Petty Officers and 10 Junior Sailors.

From these initial and additional requirements, the final design developed by Department of Navy naval architects resulted in a vessel that could carry out; general duties, harbour defence, pursuit and interception tasks.

The final design required the following;

Capabilities:

• Search & rescue

• Seaward defence

• Coast Watching

• Target towing

• Boarding operations

Navigation:

· Radar, transistorised light weight commercial unit

· Gyro compass, similar to Arma Brown commercial units

· Magnetic compass,

· Echo sounder of a type similar to Ferrograph, a Trident Log with a bridge repeater

· Training: for Junior Officers and sailors (PNF and Reserve) in ship handling

Training

for Junior Officers and sailors (PNF and Reserve) in ship handling

Communications

A package for both external and internal use for control and navigation.

Speed

Maximum, 23 knots

Cruising, 15 knots

Weapons

A power-operated single Bofor gun on forecastle immediately forward of superstructure with similar mount aft. Provision for small arms and ammunition

Endurance

At maximum continuous speed: 500 miles

At cruising speed: at least 1500 miles

Water & victuals: 14 days

Accommodation

to approved standards, fitted with air-conditioning for tropical area operation

Dimensions

length 100-120 ft and

draught of 5-8 ft

Life-saving equipment

RAN standard

Propulsion

Twin screw, simple and reliable in operation

Ships Boat

14 ft dingy (approximately)

Delivered Capabilities and Specifications

The boat ‘as delivered’ generally met the required specifications, e.g. length 107.5 feet (32.76M), draught 6.2 feet (1.9M) and a speed of 24 knots. Full details of the boat as delivered are at Annex A.

Service Life and Disposal

The original plan was to build twenty boats, although the class type was designated the Attack, the boat bearing the class name was the tenth pennant number allocated, fifth launched and second commissioned four days after Aitape # P84. Pennant numbers ran from 81-95 and 97-101, (20 numbers) but Pennant number 96 was never allocated, nor could I find a reason for skipping this specific number.

HMAS *Archer* in Jervis bay showing her original thin style pennant number

The Attack class (A) Boats were built at two Queensland engineering works; Evans Deakin (Brisbane) built 13 and Walkers Ltd (Maryborough) built 7.

Five Patrol Boats were purpose built for New Guinea service and named accordingly. They were used for patrol and general duties in Australian and surrounding waters before transfer to the PNG Defence Force. The boats destined for New Guinea service were HMAS Aitape, Samarai, Ladua, Lae and Madang. These vessels, after Independence, were retitled HMPNG Ships. The table provided in Annex B lists all twenty vessels built; by whom, pennant numbers, dates laid down and dates launched and commissioned.

The Attack class gave good service over more than two decades. HMAS Bayonet, built by Walkers Ltd was the last boat launched (6 November 68) and commissioned on 22 February 69. The last boat to decommission was HMAS Aware on 17 July 1993.

Five boats were gifted to the PNG Government; Aitape, Samarai, Ladava, Lae and Madang. Nine were either gifted or purchased by Indonesia. These were:

RAN Name	TNI Name
Acute P81	KRI Sikuda # 863
Archer P86	KRI Siliman # 848
Ardent P87 sold privately, then bought by Indonesia.	KRI Tenggin # 865
Assail P89	KRI Sigurot # 864
Attack P90	KRI Sikuda # 863
Bandolier P95	KRI Sibarau # 847
Barbette P97	KRI Siada # 862
Barricade P98	KRI Sigalu # 857
Bombard P99	KRI Siribura # 859

Two boats were sunk as targets, Adroit on 8 August 1994 and Buccaneer on 8 October 1988.

Loss of HMAS Arrow

HMAS Arrow floundered alongside Stokes Hill Wharf during Cyclone Tracy on 25 December 1974 with the loss of two lives, Petty Officer Leslie Catton and Able Seaman Ian Rennie. Arrow and Attack had attempted to sail Port Darwin and ride out the cyclone at sea, but neither vessel made it out of the port. Arrow was unlucky and was blown under Stokes Hill Wharf and wrecked. Attack was driven ashore at Doctor’s Gully without sustaining any casualties. Arrow was re-floated by DT1 on 13 January 1975 by attaching pontoons to her hull and, with the assistance of tugs, the wreck was towed underwater to the shallows of Frances Bay, where she was surveyed, written off as a wreck and put up for sale.

HMAS Arrow, lost in Darwin during Cyclone Tracy, 1974 RAN images

A local businessman purchased what was once a proud patrol boat, his idea was to restore her, but it proved far too expensive, therefore a decision was made to break her up where she lay.

HMAS Advance was the third boat in Darwin at the time. She escaped damage at sea. One of HMAS Arrow’s name boards is proudly displayed in the Mess at HMAS Waterhen, once her home base.

HMAS Advance is the last remaining Attack class patrol boat maintained as an operating exhibit by the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, Sydney. Advance is a proud reminder of the twenty boats built between 6 July 1967 and 6 November 1968 to protect Australia’s 200nm economic zone, fishing rights and just about any other task directed. They welcomed fleeing South Vietnamese after the Fall of Saigon in April 1975, and towed many a craft safely to our shores. They were work-horses with more sea time than many major fleet units. Once a “boat-man”, you always wished to stay in what was often referred to as “McHale’s Navy”. There wasn’t much of our extensive coastline that we didn’t pass or “drop the pick” in some secluded bay or river entrance, from Cooktown into the Gulf and down the West Australian coast.

Life in an ‘A’ Boat

The combination of a small, relatively junior crew, remote area operations and cycle of 6 weeks on patrol and 2 weeks in home port resulted in close-knit self-reliant ships companies very proud of their boat. Dress standards in the tropics were relaxed with the ships ‘T’ shirt, shorts and sandals frequently dress of the day. Multi-tasking was essential for the conduct of evolutions such as boarding operations and during leave periods. Young and inexperienced hands quickly learnt under guidance from the CO and senior sailors. Training in an ‘A’ boat occurred naturally.

Habitability was adequate but some design shortcomings created frustrations. ‘A’ boats were not designed for crew comfort in heavy sea states! Operations in conditions above sea states 4 and 5 (moderate to rough seas) curtailed many activities particularly boarding operations. They rolled uncomfortably in moderate conditions often creating havoc due to design issues. As an example, the galley range door which was oriented longitudinally would fly open in heavy seas. Local modifications such as attaching a gate bolt to keep what was cooking in the oven were necessary. As an aside, one day before the modification was carried out, I found our LSCK chasing half-baked chickens across the deck after we hit some rather heavy seas! You can imagine the mess of oil (from the chickens), the baking tray and one rather irate cook chasing scran across the deck!

The senior sailor’s bathroom located in the peak of the bow presented another challenge. It was some real fun sitting on the heads when underway heading into a forceful sea state, and an impossibility to shower without a very wet deck when the shower curtain swung to starboard at 40-plus degrees. Laundry facilities were ‘Heath Robinson’ with a washing machine lashed to the mast for use alongside when adequate fresh water was available. The engine room doubled as a drying room.

Throughout their service Attack class boats developed a proud and respected reputation so much so that the Australian Broadcasting Commission produced a television series based on actual events with which they dealt. They certainly lived up to their short sharp mottos which are listed in Annex C.

Attack Class Successor: The Fremantle Class

Planning for the new Fremantle class patrol boats commenced in 1970. Experience gained from operating twenty Attack class boats identified numerous areas for improvement in the new design. By September 1970 the Navy proposed construction of ten additional new patrol boats to commence entering service between 1976 and 1980. These additional vessels would augment the Attack class and also replace the two General Purpose Vessels HMAS Bass and Banks.

The acquisition of replacement patrol craft was announced in April 1975 with eleven shipbuilders invited to tender. On 22 September 1977 the Minister of Defence (James Killen) announced the PCF450 design had been selected and fifteen boats would be built at a cost of AUD 115 million.

The lead vessel HMAS Fremantle was built in the UK by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft. The remainder were built in Australia by North Queensland Engineers and Agents. Fremantle was allocated pennant number 203 and following commissioning, 17 March 1980 made one of the longest duration delivery voyages in RAN history taking 82 days. Fremantle arrived at her home base, HMAS Waterhen on 27 August 1980. She had sailed 14,509 nautical miles, probably the longest voyage undertaken by a single RAN patrol boat.

With HMAS Fremantle came the new class of patrol boats and additional duties as they were integrated into the Fleet. Attack class boats progressively handed over the reins to the Fremantles until they were all decommissioned. In turn, the Fremantles were superseded by the Armidale Class, but that is another story!

Annexes

Attack Class Patrol Boat: Delivered Capabilities and Specifications
Attack Class Patrol Boat: Key Dates
Attack Class Patrol Boat: Mottos

References:

Personal experience from boats on which I served (Dennis Weatherall)
Design of Patrol Boats for RAN – J.J. Follan M.R.I.N.A. (Royal Institution of Naval Architects Australia)
Australian Ships of War – John Bastock Published 1975 Pages 372-382
Welcome to the Armidale Class, Semaphore February 2006, Issue 4
Australian Patrol Combatants, April 2010, Semaphore 2010 Issue 3,
HMAS Arrow, Sea Power Centre Australia Website, accessed 30 March 2019

Annex A

Attack Class Patrol Boat: Delivered Capabilities and Specifications

The following describes the Attack class as delivered to the RAN

Displacement: 100 tons standard, 146 tons fully loaded, length 107.5 ft (32.8m), beam 20 ft (6.1m), draught 7.3 ft (2.2m) at full load, propulsion 2×16 cylinder Paxman YJCM diesel engines 2 shafts, speed 24 knots (44 km or 28 mph), complement 3 Officers/4 Senior Sailors/12 Junior Sailors, armament 1×40 mm Mk 7 Bofor gun, 2 x .50 calibre machine guns, sufficient SLR and AR mix of rifles and hand guns.

Hull: The Attack class main hull was constructed of steel frame, bulkheads, deck beams were designed in mild steel of all-welded construction. The superstructure, funnel and masts were constructed of aluminium alloy of all-welded construction and “huck-bolted[1]” to the main hull structure.

Accommodation was located forward in the bow for 4 Senior Sailors. Senior Sailors’ bunks were two up port and starboard. Officers were accommodated in 2 cabins; Executive officer and Navigator, in a 2-off cabin forward opposite the radio office before entering the Senior Sailors’ Mess, starboard-side. The CO had a single cabin aft of the forward ladder to the lower deck and adjacent the magazine. All three officers shared a bathroom and heads directly opposite the forward ladder, accessible from the wardroom flat. These spaces were lined, with a white laminate and insulated, joins were neatly covered with natural timber trim. The Junior Sailors’ Mess was located aft immediately behind the engine room and forward of the tiller flat. Bunks were steel constructed, 3 up on the port side and 3 on the starboard side, split 6 forward and 6 aft, with a coat locker dividing sleeping area from the general mess.

Fuel Tank Capacity: Diesel, 6 main tanks of 20 tons capacity; 2 ferrying tanks of 2.5 tons;

Fresh Water Tank Capacity: normal capacity 4 tanks of 6.5 tons. Fresh water maximum capacity was 7.5 tons. These fresh water tanks were built into the hull. In order to conserve fresh water, an alternative salt water supply (if needed) could be operated in all three bathroom shower heads. When fresh water was scarce and top-up was impossible due to location, passing rain squalls were a welcome shower alternative on the quarter deck.

Steering Gear was fitted as a “Mathway” light weight power-assisted unit. It could be operated from either the Bridge, Wheelhouse or the emergency steering position in the Tiller flat, also known as the Bosun’s Store aft, directly over the ship’s rudder area. In the event of any hydraulic failure, this equipment could function without any power assistance but extremely hard on the arms.

Deck Machinery on the forecastle consisted of an anchor windlass of one cable lifter and two warpends driven by a 4.5 hp electric motor through an enclosed worm reduction gearbox. The windlass was also arranged for emergency hand operations.

Anchor was a 180 pound (81.8 kg) “Danforth” type fitted with 11/16 inch chain cable.

Galley was located immediately aft of the Wheelhouse on the main deck before exiting the forward superstructure. All equipment was electric and consisted of one single oven range with four hot plates and a grill plate. A 15 cubic feet upright refrigerator, one 7.5 gallon hot water urn for brews (always ready for use 24 hrs/day) and one use-all mixer/mincer.

Provisions Room – located at the bottom of the aft ladder into the Junior Sailors’ Mess directly opposite their bathroom, it took up the entire compartment, 21 cubic ft capacity in which we stored all meats, frozen milk, bread and the beautiful, pre-packed “guinea pig” vegetables such as broccoli, sweet corn and peas. Each Mess (x 3) also had a 5 cubic ft ready-use refrigerator – they also suffered from the same fore & aft placement onboard ship as our galley stove/range and often the fridge lock would spring open and whatever was inside quickly deposited itself on the deck!

Annex B

Attack Class Patrol Boat: Key Dates

The following table provides key dates (builder, pennant number, date laid down, launch and commission) for all twenty boats.

Name	Pennant Number	Builder	Launch Date	Commissioning Date	Decommissioning Date	History Post RAN Service
Acute	P81	Evans Deakin	26/8/67	26/4/68	6/5/83	Indo KRI Sikuda # 863
Adroit	P82	Evans Deakin	3/2/68	17/8/68	28/3/92	Sunk as target, August 1994
Advance	P83	Walkers Ltd	16/8/67	24/1/68	6/2/88	Museum, ANMM Sydney
Aitape	P84	Walkers Ltd	6/7/67	13/11/67	14/11/74	Transferred to HMPNGS, scuttled 1995
Samarai	P85	Evans Deakin	14/7/67	1/3/68	14/11/74	Transferred to HMPNGS
Archer	P86	Walkers Ltd	2/12/67	15/5/68	21/5/74	Indo KRI Siliman # 848
Ardent	P87	Evans Deakin	27/4/68	26/10/68	6/1/94 and Reclassified as TRNG NAV # A243. Paid off Dec. 1998	Sold to Pvte Indo 2002 KRI Tenngeri #865
Arrow	P88	Walkers Ltd	17/2/68	3/7/68	Lost in Darwin, 25/12/74 Cyclone Tracy
Assail	P89	Evans Deakin	18/11/67	21/7/68	18/10/85	Indo KRI Sigurot # 864
Attack	P90	Evans Deakin	8/4/67	17/11/67	21/2/85	Indo KRI Sikuda # 863
Aware	P91	Evans Deakin	7/10/67	21/6/68	17/7/93	Sold Pvte, scrapped 2011
Ladava	P92	Walkers Ltd	11/5/68	13/11/67	14/11/74	T/fs to HMPNGS
Lae	P93	Walkers Ltd	5/10/67	3/4/68	14/11/74	Transferred to HMPNGS
Madang	P94	Evans Deakin	10/10/68	28/11/68	14/11/74	Transferred to HMPNGS
Bandolier	P95	Walkers Ltd	2/10/68	14/12/68	16/11/73	Indo KRI Sibarau # 847
Barbette	P97	Walkers Ltd	10/4/68	16/8/68	15/6/84	Indo KRI Siada # 862
Barricade	P98	Evans Deakin	29/6/68	26/10/68	20/5/82	Indo KRI Sigalu #857
Bombard	P99	Walkers Ltd	6/7/68	5/11/68	12/9/83	Indo KRI Siribura # 859
Buccaneer	P100	Evans Deakin	14/9/68	11/11/69	27/7/84	Sunk as target 8/10/88
Bayonet	P101	Walkers Ltd	6/11/68	22/2/69	26/6/88	Scuttled 21/9/99 in Victoria

Annex C

Attack Class Patrol Boat Mottos

The following is a list of mottos allocated to each boat.

P81 Acute “Swift to the Point”

P82 Adroit “Quick and Secure”

P83 Advance “Never Look Back”

P84 Aitape “Tread Warily”

P85 Samarai “United We Stand”

P86 Archer “Swiftly Sure”

P87 Ardent “Flame and Fury”

P88 Arrow “Straight as an Arrow”

P89 Assail “Cut Deep”

P90 Attack “Never Waver”

P91 Aware “Forever Alert”

P92 Ladava “Fight the Good Fight”

P93 Lae “Dare All”

P94 Madang “Our Ship Your Shield”

P95 Bandolier “Dressed to Kill”

# 96 not allocated. Reason unknown

P97 Barbette “Taut and Trim”

P98 Barricade “They Shall Not Pass”

P99 Bombard “Hit Hard”

P100 Buccaneer “Seek and Find”

P101 Bayonet “We Fix”

[1] Huck-bolting is a patterned fastening, similar to a rivet, used frequently to fasten unlike metals together such as mild steel and aluminium. It’s a screwed thread with a clamp nut.

Occasional Paper 48: HMAS Anzac (II) – the last ‘Battle’

March 9, 2019

March 2019

The following paper on the distinguished service of HMAS Anzac (II) was first published in the March 2011 edition of the Naval Historical Review available on the Society website. Other ships with her name are; HMAS Anzac (I), acquired from the Royal Navy, commissioned into the RAN in 1920 and decommissioned 30 July 1931. HMAS Anzac (III), lead ship of eight Anzac class frigates commissioned 18 May 1996.

HMAS Anzac (II) – the last ‘Battle’

With the end of World War II in sight the RAN had to plan for replacement ships of its hard worked destroyer force. The remaining ‘V&W’ destroyers HMA Ships Vendetta and Stuart were obsolete and worn out. The effective ‘N’ class had been returned to the Royal Navy and their replacement ‘Q’ class were inadequate for post-war requirements. In keeping with tradition of using Admiralty designs, the Naval Board considered the RN ‘Battle’ class destroyers as suitable replacements, and government approval was forthcoming to build two ships modified to RAN standards. One ship was to be built at Williamstown Naval Dockyard and the other at Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Originally the names of these ships were intended to commemorate recent World War II Australian naval actions with the names ‘Tobruk’ and ‘Matapan’ selected. While the former name was retained, a decision was made to rescind the second in favour of ‘Anzac’.

‘Battle’ Class Destroyers

The ‘Battle’ class destroyers were built in Britain in two groups. Group 1 of sixteen ships commenced construction in 1942, with Group 2 of eight ships laid down from 1943. A further Group 3 of eight ships was intended in 1944 but with the end of World War II in sight the Admiralty cancelled these orders. However,

two ships of Group 3 were built by the RAN. Two of the RN ships were subsequently transferred to other navies, one to Pakistan and another to Iran.

The 1942 ‘Battles’ were a new class of Fleet Destroyers designed to operate within a Fleet environment and provide anti-submarine and anti-aircraft support. The original armament comprised two twin 4.5 inch Mark IV turrets; four twin 40mm Hazemeyer Bofors (one on each bridge wing and two on the centreline aft); one single 4 inch Mark XXIII (Starshell) gun; and two single 2 pounder pom poms Mark XV or Mark XVI. There were two sets of pentad (5) torpedo tubes as well as depth charge throwers. The depth charges were later removed when the SQUID ahead-throwing mortar was developed. The mortar was sited on the quarterdeck and fired its charges over and ahead of the ship, thereby maintaining improved contact with underwater targets. In earlier versions of the ‘Battles’ the single Bofor mounting on the quarterdeck had to be removed to make way for SQUID.

Construction in Australia

Anzac and her sister HMAS Tobruk were the first major warships constructed in Australia after World War II, and at that time the largest destroyers and most complicated fighting ships ever constructed in this country. Local modifications included upgrading the main armament to two twin Mark VI turrets as opposed to the Mark IV DP (Dual Purpose) turrets fitted in the RN ships, and the gunnery control system was upgraded from Flyplane Mk 1 to Flyplane Mk II, noting that the RAN ships were the only ships with this system, as later ships had the much improved Flyplane Mk III. Improvements were also made to habitability, with better ventilation and higher standards of accommodation.

Anzac was laid down at Williamstown Naval Dockyard on 23 September 1946 and was launched on 20 August 1948 by Mrs Collins, wife of the First Naval Member Rear Admiral J.A. Collins, RAN. She commissioned on 14 March 1951 under Commander J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN, who was also appointed Commander of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla. In the same timeframe her sister ship Tobruk was being built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Korea

After workup Anzac joined the United Nations Forces in Korea in August 1951. On arrival in Korean waters she teamed up with Tobruk and the ‘River’ class frigate HMAS Murchison. Her first operation on 6 September was a bombardment of Haeju on the west coast, north of the 38th Parallel. Targets included a two storey building believed to house the headquarters of local North Korean forces, as well as a gun emplacement. The shore facilities were left a smoking ruin with many casualties.

Her next patrol was carried out on the east coast off Songjin, just south of the Korean-Chinese border. The mission to harass rail and road traffic was successful, with direct hits on at least one train. She was also involved in guerrilla style operations, landing South Korean Marines to gather intelligence.

After steaming some 23,000 nautical miles on operations in Korean waters, Anzac returned to Sydney in October 1951, having escorted the light fleet carrier HMS Glory to Sydney for refit.

In May 1952, now under command of Captain G.G.O. Gatacre, RAN, Anzac cruised with HMAS Australia (II) to New Guinea and the Solomons. In September she left for a second tour in Korea, relieving HMAS Bataan and serving with units of the USN, maintaining blockades of the enemy coast and bombarding enemy positions. She was shelled off the west coast on 16 November 1952 but Australia Day 1953 saw her shelling the battery position which had shelled her. On another occasion she was called to come to the aid of HMAS Condamine, which had come under fire whilst supporting minesweeping operations. The severe Korean winter posed great difficulties, with the ship and equipment coated in ice and snow.

In April 1953 Captain J.S. Mesley, DSC, RAN, relieved Captain Gatacre in command. On 26 May Anzac steamed into Tokyo, representing Commonwealth Navies during celebrations of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. After returning to the war zone Anzac was relieved by Tobruk in July. She returned to Sydney, having logged 57,000 nautical miles during her tour of duty, which included 140 days in the combat area.

Refit

Following a refit at Williamstown and now under command of Commander D.A.H. Clarke, DSC, RAN, Anzac escorted the Royal Yacht Gothic during the royal tour of Australia in February 1954. Anzac then conveyed Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh to islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Malayan Emergency

In April 1955 Anzac visited New Caledonia prior to engaging in Commonwealth Fleet exercises in South East Asia. During this period she had a succession of commanding officers including Commanders MacDonald, Crabb and Peel. From November 1955, for several deployments up till March 1959, Anzac was attached to the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve based at Singapore. In September 1956, in company with Tobruk, she took part in the first of only two offensive actions taken by the RAN during the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) when they bombarded terrorist positions in Johore State.

Varied responsibilities

During gunnery exercises off Jervis Bay in September 1960 a misdirected shot from Anzac badly damaged Tobruk. The cause of the accident was neglecting to correctly apply six degrees of ‘throw-off’; as a result Anzac’s guns, while near maximum range, were directly facing Tobruk. Whilst there were no casualties, Tobruk’s engine room was flooded and her main machinery damaged. She limped into Jervis Bay for emergency repairs and then to Sydney for more extensive repairs but Tobruk saw little sea service after this.

In 1961 Anzac became the Fleet Training Ship with the gradual removal of armament in favour of additional accommodation. The process continued in 1963 when she was further modified with ‘B’ turret and torpedo tubes removed and replaced by classrooms. This once handsome ship was to become rather ungainly in later years.

In February/March 1963, during the royal visit to Australia, Anzac again acted as escort to HMS Britannia.

In October/November 1966 she under-took survey work off the north of Western Australia, and in June 1967 visited Tonga for the coronation of His Majesty King Taufa’Ahau Tupo IV.

In September 1967 Anzac conducted a South Pacific training cruise visiting Tahiti, Western Samoa and New Zealand. Following refit, and although a training ship, Anzac escorted the troop carrier HMAS Sydney to Vietnam in June 1968.

During 1970 she participated in the Captain Cook celebrations at Possession Island, Queensland, the site of Captain Cook’s final departure from Australian shores. In March 1972 Anzac acted as command ship during exercise ‘Planti Manua’, a large patrol boat exercise held in northern waters involving ten patrol vessels. New Zealand was again visited during a training cruise in September 1972.

Paid off

In 1974 Anzac departed for her final training cruise to Fiji and New Zealand and returned to Sydney on 11 August of that year flying her paying-off pendant.

After twenty-three years of eventful service Anzac was taken out of commission in October 1974 and removed to Athol Bight. This ship, which had fired in anger in both Korea and Malaya, slipped almost unnoticed out of Sydney on New Year’s Eve 1975, under the tow of a Japanese tug on her way to be scrapped in China.

*Anzac* (II) at Athol Bight November 1975

The Transition to War: HMAS Perth and the Canadian West Coast Destroyers

December 13, 2018

By Roger Buxton

In the late northern summer and autumn of 1939 HMAS Perth and the Canadian West Coast destroyers HMC Ships Fraser, Ottawa, Restigouche and St Laurent were making the transition from peace to war, and their operations briefly coincided in the Caribbean and adjacent waters.

On 29 June 1939 the Blue Funnel steamer Autolycus arrived at Portsmouth with 500 members of the crew of Perth, a modified Achilles class cruiser, formerly HMS Amphion, that had been refitted to Australian requirements. Perthwas commissioned the same day by Captain H. B. Farncomb MVO, RAN, and officially renamed on 10 July by HRH The Duchess of Kent with the words ‘I name this ship Perth and may God bless the Perth and all who sail in her, a safe voyage and the best of luck’¹It was intended that Perth return to Australia via New York and the Panama Canal. On 4 August she reached New York, firing a twenty-one gun salute on arrival, and spent the next twelve days representing Australia at the World’s Fair and enjoying American hospitality. On 16 August Perth left New York for Kingston, Jamaica, with the band playing Auld Lang Syne.²

In the summer of 1939 the forces at the disposal of the Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies (AWI) Command, VADM Sir Sidney Meyrick³consisted of the 8th Cruiser Squadron (HM Ships Berwick, Orion and York) and two escort vessels.⁴As he considered that his force required more cruisers, VADM Meyrick asked the Admiralty to retainPerthon the AWI Station. Perthwas in Kingston, Jamaica and was to have sailed for the Panama Canal on 23 August, but on receiving a copy of the C-in-C’s message, Captain Farncomb cancelled sailing to await expected orders to remain on the Station. On the following day he was informed that the Australian Government had approved an Admiralty request to retain Perthon the Station for the time being, with the proviso that the decision would be reconsidered in the event of a war in the Pacific. In the evening, Captain Farncomb cleared lower deck and informed the ship’s company that Perth, on instructions from the Commonwealth Government, was now under the orders of the C-in-C AWI.⁵

Directed to assume the duties of Oil Fuel Protection Force, Perth spent the remainder of August and September patrolling the southern Caribbean, protecting tanker traffic from Venezuela and Trinidad and keeping a lookout for German merchant ships trying to break out from neutral ports. In an attempt to deceive these German ships into thinking that several ships were watching them, Captain Farncomb moved rapidly overnight between harbours where these ships were sheltering and sometimes shipped a dummy third funnel to disguise the identity of his ship.⁶

HRH The Duchess of Kent renames HMAS Perth – RAN

During October Perth was in the Atlantic, escorting a forty-five ship convoy half way to the United Kingdom and then visiting Bermuda. This would have been one of the last convoys from Kingston as convoys ceased to assemble there after 7 October. Later in the month Perth intercepted a signal from a German warship, probably the heavy cruiser (pocket battleship) Deutschland, but fortunately failed to make contact; she proceeded to Halifax and then Bermuda, finally returning to the Caribbean on 9 November.

The letter of proceedings from Captain (D) in Ottawa dated 15 June 1939 shows that, even at this late stage, peacetime routine continued almost undisturbed. Canadian destroyers had made a successful visit to Balboa, Canal Zone, landed a seaman with pneumonia at San Diego on return, and continued on to Esquimalt at economical speed, arriving on 28 April. Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were then on a visit to Canada, and as the King was to present a King’s Colour to the Royal Canadian Navy, ‘training of Colour Guard and Escort for the Royal Visit commenced forthwith’.⁷All four destroyers proceeded to Vancouver on 26 May for the Royal Visit. Their Majesties left Vancouver for Victoria in the ferry PrincessMarguerite escorted by the destroyers, and the departing convoy steamed at high speed between two columns of the vessels of the Fisherman’s Reserve.⁸

Rather surprisingly, considering the tense international situation, on 23 August the Naval Secretary approved a schedule of local port visits for September, but with an ominous final sentence ‘This programme is liable to alteration in the event of unforeseen circumstances.’⁹

All four ASDIC equipped Canadian destroyers were on the West Coast, and as there was considered to be no immediate threat from Japan, VADM P. W. Nelles, the Chief of Naval Staff, informed the Minister on 28 August that the destroyers should now be moved to the East Coast. Although all four destroyers were on a visit to Vancouver for the Pacific National Exhibition, on 31 August Fraser and St Laurent were ordered to sail for Halifax ‘with all convenient despatch’ (about 25 knots) and within three hours they had sailed, going straight past their home port of Esquimalt without stopping. As one of the company of Frasersaid later, ‘We left clothing ashore, rented rooms, family and unpaid bills.’¹⁰A few hours later German forces invaded Poland.

The passage south was uneventful, although on 3 September Naval Service Headquarters informed Fraser as follows:

‘Ambassador at Chile reports eight repetition eight German merchant vessels all of which are armed. Warn British shipping met and instruct them to keep clear of normal routes and take advantage of neutral waters.’¹¹

After refuelling at San Pedro, California, which was possible in the neutral United States because Canada was not officially at war until 10 September, the ships passed through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean.

The Declaration of War did not clarify the relationship between the Canadian destroyers and the Royal Navy. The Naval Service Act provided for placing RCN ships at the disposal of the Admiralty, but Prime Minister King declined to authorise this and on 14 September an order-in-council directed RCN destroyers ‘to co-operate to the fullest extent with Royal Naval Forces’.¹²Once Canada was at war, C-in-C AWI asked Naval Service Headquarters if he could retain Fraserand St Laurent, then approaching Jamaica, but the ships continued on to Halifax.¹³

While still in the Caribbean the destroyers passed Perth and her Yeoman of Signals described the meeting as follows:

‘Sighted two destroyers on the horizon bearing down on us at high speed. On exchanging identities, we learned that they were two of HM Canadian ships. These little greyhounds looked well bounding along at 25 knots. This has become a real Dominion force now, one British cruiser, one Australian cruiser and two Canadian destroyers.’¹⁴

This anticipated events. Fraser arrived at Halifax at 2030 on 14 September and St Laurent, who had missed an alteration of course signal, at 0015 the following day. At this early stage of the war convoys were being escorted some 400 miles out to sea by the cruisers HM Ships Berwick and York andone or more destroyers. Within four days of arriving at Halifax, Fraser and St Laurent were either patrolling Cabot Strait or escorting convoys.¹⁵HMCS Saguenay had just completed a refit, which included the fitting of ASDIC, and on 23 September she departed Halifax with York and Fraser to escort convoy HX2, and was then diverted to Jamaica under C-in-C AWI orders.¹⁶

Canada had purchased the destroyer HMCS Assiniboine (ex-HMS Kempenfelt) from the UK in October 1939 and she arrived at Halifax in November. As there had been insufficient time to install the steam heating essential to operate in Canadian waters in winter, Assiniboinewas assigned to the AWI Command and left for Jamaica on 5 December to relieve Saguenay.

The remaining West Coast destroyers Restigouche and Ottawa were also despatched to Halifax, leaving Esquimalt on 15 November, but they had a problem: as Canada was now at war, they could only refuel in American (neutral) ports with sufficient fuel to take them to the nearest belligerent port, i.e. back to Esquimalt. The Report of Proceedings of Perth shows how this difficulty was overcome:

‘Friday 17 November. ‘PERTH’s’ original orders on leaving KINGSTON were to proceed to the ARUBA area, but these were cancelled later and instructions were received to fuel HM Canadian destroyers at COCOS ISLAND [in the Pacific 340nm off the coast of Costa Rica] on 25th November, and on the 18th November further instructions were received from the Commander-in-Chief America & West Indies Squadron to complete with fuel before proceeding into the Pacific ….

Wednesday 22 November.On arrival at COLON at 0740, 22nd November, the United States Naval Officer of the Guard delivered copies of the United States Neutrality Regulations affecting the Canal Zone. I signed an undertaking to respect United States Neutrality and not to embark provisions, fuel etc. without permission. The Admiral Commanding…sent a message to me that fresh provisions could be supplied without any formality…Twenty-four hours’ permission to remain in harbour was given….

‘PERTH’ was given a quick passage through and was boarded again at BALBOA by the Officer of the Guard who gave me a document indicating the time at which I must leave the Canal Zone.

Saturday 25 November. HMC Destroyers ‘OTTAWA’ and ‘RESTIGOUCHE’ were fuelled at Chatham Bay, COCOS ISLAND, 151 tons and 167 tons respectively: all that was required.

This anchorage is not a good place for fuelling: there is probably always a slight swell under the most favourable weather conditions such as obtained on this occasion.

There is a marked tidal stream across the mouth of the Bay which, when against the swell, makes conditions alongside uncomfortable for Destroyers, ‘OTTAWA’ sustained some denting of plates and the refuelling of ‘RESTIGOUCHE’ was subsequently postponed three hours until the stream had turned.

Fuelling commenced at 0900 and was not completed until 1830.’¹⁷

The log of Restigouche, anchored in 35 fathoms, notes ‘anchor bearings frequently checked’, an indication that the strong tidal stream was a matter of some concern,¹⁸

HMAS Perth in the Gatun Lake, Panama Canal 2 March 1940 on passage to Australia – USN

Ottawaand Restigouchepassed through the Panama Canal and continued on to Halifax. Assiniboine returned to Halifax on 3 March and was replaced in the Caribbean by Fraser.¹⁹When arrangements had been made for her replacement, Perth departed for Panama on 3 March 1940 and arrived in Sydney on 31 March. Perth was unfortunately never able to intercept an escaping German merchant ship, but Assiniboine assisted HMS Dunedin in the capture of the German merchantman Hannover in the Mona Passage and, while fighting the fires started by her crew, towed the damaged ship for four days to Kingston. Hannover was converted to the first escort aircraft carrier, HMS Audacity.

Fortune was not kind to the RAN and RCN ships involved: Perth was sunk at Sunda Strait on 1 March 1942, Ottawa was sunk by U91 in the North Atlantic on 13 September 1942 and Fraser was sunk in collision with HMS Calcutta in the Gironde Estuary on 25 June 1940. OnlyRestigouche and St Laurent survived the war.

1 Yeoman of Signals R G Roberts RAN, Age Shall Not Weary Them, Patersons Printing Press Ltd, Perth WA p 36.

2 ibid, p 52

3 Vice-Admiral Sir Sidney Meyrick KCB RN

4 Roskill, S. W., The War at Sea I, HMSO London 1954 p 48.

5 An order-in-council had been issued transferring HMAS Perthto the King’s Naval Forces.

6 G Hermon Gill, Royal Australian Navy 1939-1942, Collins/Australian War Memorial, p130.

7 HMCS St LaurentReports of Proceedings 1937-1939.Library and Archives Canada/Department of National (LAC/DND) fonds/ RG 24 vol 5684, file 141–7-5

8 A ‘navy within a navy’. Crews usually joined with their boat, which was chartered by the month. Dress was different (‘the gumboot navy’) and they could not be transferred to general service. LAC/DND RG 24 vol. 5684, file 141–7–5.

9 HMCS FraserMovements 1938-1939. LAC/DND fonds/RG 24 vol 11908, files AE 31-1-1 to AE 31-6-6.

10 Interview with LCDR P E Palmer RCN quoted by Fraser McKee and Robert Darlington, The Canadian Naval Chronicle 1939 – 1945, Revised Edition, Vanwell Publishing, St Catherines ON, 1998, p 17.

11 HMCS FraserMovements 1938-1941. LAC/DND fonds/ RG 24 vol 6810, file S 8700-353/6

12 Douglas, W. A. B. et al, No Higher Purpose, p57

13 AWI WD 31 August 1939, and 10 September 1939, quoted by W. A. B. Douglas et al, No Higher Purpose, The Official Operational History of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War, 1939 –1943, Volume II, Part 1, Vanwell Publishing Ltd, St Catherines ON, 2002.

14 Roberts, R. G.,Age Shall Not Weary Them, p73.

15 LAC/DND fonds/ RG 24 vol 6810 file S 8700-323/6

16 Saguenayand Skeenawere built in the UK for the RCN and were commissioned in 1931. Built with higher than usual accommodation standards they were sometimes referred to as ‘Cadillacs’.

17 HMAS Perth Report of Proceedings during the period 4th November to 14th December 1939. Australian War Memorial

18 Log of HMCS Restigouche, at Cocos Island, for 25^thday of November 1939. LAC/DND fonds/vol 7712

19 HMCSFraserhad been assigned to the AWI Command on arrival on the East Coast but had been retained in Halifax until March