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{{Short description|Australian Navy Corvette (1941 - 1946)}}
{{Otherships|HMAS Whyalla}}
{{Other ships|HMAS Whyalla}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
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|Ship caption=HMAS ''Whyalla''
|Ship caption=HMAS ''Whyalla''
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=Australia
|Ship country=Australia
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Australia|naval-1913}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Australia|naval-1913}}
|Ship namesake=City of [[Whyalla, South Australia]]
|Ship namesake=City of [[Whyalla]]
|Ship builder=[[Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd]] in Whyalla, South Australia
|Ship builder=[[Whyalla Steelworks#Steelworks and shipyards|BHP, Whyalla]]
|Ship yard number=8
|Ship laid down=24 July 1940
|Ship laid down=24 July 1940
|Ship launched=12 May 1941
|Ship launched=12 May 1941
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|Ship motto=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours='''Battle honours:'''<br />[[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|Pacific]] 1942-45<br />[[New Guinea campaign|New Guinea]] 1942-44<br />[[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawa]] 1945
|Ship honours=*'''Battle honours:'''
*[[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|Pacific]] 1942–45
*[[New Guinea campaign|New Guinea]] 1942–44
*[[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawa]] 1945
|Ship fate=Sold into civilian service
|Ship fate=Sold into civilian service
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
|Ship badge=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=Victorian Public Works Department
|Ship country=[[Public Works Department (Victoria)|Victorian Public Works Department]]
|Ship name=''Rip''
|Ship name=''Rip''
|Ship acquired=10 February 1947
|Ship acquired=10 February 1947
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|Ship fate=Sold in 1984
|Ship fate=Sold in 1984
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=Whyalla City Council
|Ship name=HMAS ''Whyalla''
|Ship country=[[City of Whyalla|Whyalla City Council]]
|Ship name=''Whyalla''
|Ship acquired=Late 1984
|Ship acquired=Late 1984
|Ship status=Landlocked museum ship
|Ship status=Landlocked museum ship
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Header caption=during RAN service
|Header caption=during RAN service
|Ship class=[[Bathurst class corvette|''Bathurst'' class corvette]]
|Ship class={{sclass|Bathurst|corvette}}
|Ship displacement=733 tons (standard)
|Ship displacement=733 tons (standard)
|Ship length={{convert|186|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|186|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|31|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|31|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|8.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|8.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=triple expansion engine, 2 shafts
|Ship propulsion=triple expansion engine, 2 shafts
|Ship speed={{convert|15|kn}} at 1,750 hp
|Ship speed={{convert|15|kn}} at 1,750 hp
|Ship complement=85
|Ship complement=85
|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship armament=*1 × [[QF 4 inch Mk XIX naval gun|4-inch Mk XIX]] gun
|Ship armament=1 x 4-inch gun<br>3 x Oerlikons (1 later removed)<br>1 x Bofors (installed later)<br>Machine guns<br>Depth charges chutes and throwers
*3 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]s (1 later removed)
*1 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60]] (installed later)
*Machine guns
*[[Depth charge]]s chutes and throwers
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''HMAS ''Whyalla'' (J153/B252)''', named for the city of [[Whyalla, South Australia]] was one of 60 [[Bathurst class corvette|''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).<ref name=spc>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-whyalla-i |title=HMAS Whyalla (I) |accessdate=15 September 2008 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia}}</ref> The ship was sold to the Victorian Public Works Department at the end of the war, who renamed her ''Rip'' and used her as a maintenance ship.<ref name=spc/> In 1984, she was purchased by [[Whyalla, South Australia|Whyalla City Council]], who put her on display as a landlocked museum ship in 1987.<ref name=spc/>
'''HMAS ''Whyalla'' (J153/B252)''', named for the city of [[Whyalla]] was one of 60 {{sclass|Bathurst|corvette}}s constructed during [[World War II]] and one of 20 built on [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] order but manned by personnel of and later commissioned into the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN). The ship was sold to the [[Public Works Department (Victoria)|Victorian Public Works Department]] at the end of the war, who renamed her '''''Rip''''' and used her as a maintenance ship. In 1984, she was purchased by [[City of Whyalla|Whyalla City Council]], who put her on display as a landlocked [[museum ship]] in 1987.


==Design and construction==
==Construction==
{{main|Bathurst-class corvette}}
''Whyalla'' was laid down by [[Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd]] at Whyalla, South Australia on 24 July 1940.<ref name=spc/> The corvette was launched on 12 May 1941 by Lady Barclay-Harvey, wife of the Governor of South Australia, and commissioned on 8 January 1942.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' was the first ship built by the Whyalla shipyard.{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}}
In 1938, the [[Australian Commonwealth Naval Board]] (ACNB) identified the need for a general purpose 'local defence vessel' capable of both anti-submarine and mine-warfare duties, while easy to construct and operate.<ref name=Hindsight1>Stevens, ''The Australian Corvettes'', p. 1</ref><ref name=StevensACV103>Stevens, ''A Critical Vulnerability'', p. 103</ref> The vessel was initially envisaged as having a [[displacement (ship)|displacement]] of approximately 500 tons, a speed of at least {{convert|10|kn}}, and a range of {{convert|2000|nmi}}<ref name=StevensACV103.4>Stevens, ''A Critical Vulnerability'', pp. 103–4</ref> The opportunity to build a prototype in the place of a cancelled [[Bar-class boom defence vessel]] saw the proposed design increased to a 680-ton vessel, with a {{convert|15.5|kn}} top speed, and a range of {{convert|2850|nmi}}, armed with a 4-inch gun, equipped with [[asdic]], and able to fitted with either [[depth charge]]s or [[Naval mine#Mine sweeping|minesweeping]] equipment depending on the planned operations: although closer in size to a [[sloop-of-war|sloop]] than a local defence vessel, the resulting increased capabilities were accepted due to advantages over British-designed mine warfare and anti-submarine vessels.<ref name=Hindsight1/><ref>Stevens, ''A Critical Vulnerability'', pp. 103–5</ref> Construction of the prototype {{HMAS|Kangaroo||6}} did not go ahead, but the plans were retained.<ref name=StevensACV104>Stevens, ''A Critical Vulnerability'', p. 104</ref>


The need for locally built 'all-rounder' vessels at the start of World War II saw the "Australian Minesweepers" (designated as such to hide their anti-submarine capability, but popularly referred to as "corvettes") approved in September 1939, with 60 constructed during the course of the war: 36 ordered by the RAN, 20 (including ''Whyalla'') ordered by the [[British Admiralty]] but manned and commissioned as RAN vessels, and 4 for the [[Royal Indian Navy]].<ref name=Hindsight1/><ref>Stevens, ''A Critical Vulnerability'', pp. 105, 148</ref><ref name=Donohue29>Donohue, ''From Empire Defence to the Long Haul'', p. 29</ref><ref name=Stevens108>Stevens et al., ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 108</ref><ref name=spc>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-whyalla-i |title=HMAS Whyalla (I) |access-date=17 September 2013 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy}}</ref>
The ship was originally to be named HMAS ''Glenelg'', for the city of [[Glenelg, South Australia]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Straczek |first=Joe |date=Winter<!-- Southern --> 2003 |title=What's in a name: a chronological list - part 2 |journal=Australian Sea Heritage |publisher=Australian Heritage Fleet |issue=75 |page=13 |issn=0813-0523}}</ref> That name was later used by [[HMAS Glenelg (J236)|another ''Bathurst'' class vessel]].

''Whyalla'' was laid down by [[BHP]] at its [[Whyalla Steelworks#Steelworks and shipyards|Whyalla shipyard]] on 24 July 1940 as Yard Number 8.<ref name=spc/><ref name=Miramar>{{csr|register=MSI|id=6114512|accessdate=27 August 2021}}</ref> The corvette was launched on 12 May 1941 by Lady Barclay-Harvey, wife of the [[Governor of South Australia]], and commissioned on 8 January 1942.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' was the first ship built by the Whyalla shipyard.{{efn|Yard No. 1-7 were cargo ships which were built later <ref>{{cite web |title=Broken Hill Pty Co |url=https://www.miramarshipindex.nz/ship/yard?link=1661 |website=Miramar Ship Index |access-date=27 August 2021}}{{subscription required}}</ref> }}<ref>[http://www.whyalla.com/page.aspx?u=43 Whyalla > History 1940–1960] Accessed 17 September 2013.</ref> The ship was originally to be named ''Glenelg'', for the [[Adelaide]] suburb of [[Glenelg, South Australia|Glenelg]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Straczek |first=Joe |date=Winter<!-- Southern --> 2003 |title=What's in a name: a chronological list – part 2 |journal=Australian Sea Heritage |publisher=Australian Heritage Fleet |issue=75 |page=13 |issn=0813-0523}}</ref> That name was later used by [[HMAS Glenelg (J236)|another ''Bathurst''-class vessel]].


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
===RAN===
===RAN===
In 1942, the corvette worked supporting convoys off the south eastern Australian coast, and was in Sydney Harbour during the [[Attack on Sydney Harbour|Japanese midget submarine attack]] of 31 May 1942.<ref name=spc/><ref>{{cite book |last=Jenkins |first=David |title=Battle Surface! Japan's Submarine War Against Australia 1942–44 |year=1992 |publisher=Random House Australia |location=Milsons Point |isbn=0-09-182638-1 |pages=193–194}}</ref> 12 days later, ''Whyalla'' was escorting a southbound convoy when the freighter ''Guatemala'' [[Attack on Sydney Harbour#Attacks on Allied merchant shipping|was torpedoed and sunk]] by [[Japanese submarine I-21|Japanese submarine ''I-21'']], the only ship to be lost in a convoy escorted by ''Whyalla''.<ref name=spc/>
In 1942, the corvette worked supporting convoys off the south eastern Australian coast, and was in [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] during the [[Attack on Sydney Harbour|Japanese midget submarine attack]] of 31 May 1942.<ref name=spc/><ref>{{cite book |last=Jenkins |first=David |title=Battle Surface! Japan's Submarine War Against Australia 1942–44 |year=1992 |publisher=[[Random House]]|location=Milsons Point |isbn=0-09-182638-1 |pages=193–194}}</ref> 12 days later, ''Whyalla'' was escorting a southbound convoy when the freighter ''Guatemala'' [[Attack on Sydney Harbour#Attacks on Allied merchant shipping|was torpedoed and sunk]] by [[Japanese submarine I-21|Japanese submarine ''I-21'']], the only ship to be lost in a convoy escorted by ''Whyalla''.<ref name=spc/>


In December 1942, the corvette was assigned to New Guinea, where she performed convoy escort, hydrographic survey work, and was involved in the leadup to the [[battle of Buna-Gona]].<ref name=spc/> On 2 January 1943, ''Whyalla'' and two small Australian survey ships were attacked by Japanese dive-bombers while in McLaren Harbour, Cape Nelson, New Guinea.<ref name=spc/> The corvette received minor damage from near-misses, with two crew injured by shrapnel.<ref name=spc/> The corvette continued survey work until relieved by sister ship [[HMAS Shepparton (J248)|''Shepparton'']] in April 1943.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' proceeded to [[Milne Bay]], and was present when the anchorage was attacked by a force of approximately 100 Japanese aircraft.<ref name=spc/> Again, ''Whyalla'' was not seriously damaged, and the corvette assisted sister ships [[HMAS Kapunda|''Kapunda'']] and [[HMAS Wagga|''Wagga'']] in the rescue and salvage effort.<ref name=spc/>
In December 1942, the corvette was assigned to New Guinea, where she performed convoy escort, hydrographic survey work, and was involved in the leadup to the [[Battle of Buna-Gona]].<ref name=spc/> On 2 January 1943, ''Whyalla'' and two small Australian survey ships, [[HMAS Warreen|''Stella'']] and ''Polaris'', were attacked by Japanese dive-bombers while in McLaren Harbour, [[Cape Nelson (Papua New Guinea)|Cape Nelson]], New Guinea.<ref name=spc/><ref>{{cite book |last=Gill |first=G. Hermon |title=Royal Australian Navy 1942–1945 | series =Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 2 – Navy | volume =2 |year=1968 |publisher=Australian War Memorial |location=Canberra |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070208/}}</ref> The corvette received minor damage from near-misses, with two crew injured by shrapnel.<ref name=spc/> The corvette continued survey work until relieved by sister ship [[HMAS Shepparton (J248)|''Shepparton'']] in April 1943.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' proceeded to [[Milne Bay]], and was present when the anchorage was attacked by a force of approximately 100 Japanese aircraft.<ref name=spc/> Again, ''Whyalla'' was not seriously damaged, and the corvette assisted sister ships [[HMAS Kapunda|''Kapunda'']] and [[HMAS Wagga|''Wagga'']] in the rescue and salvage effort.<ref name=spc/>


''Whyalla'' returned to Australia for refits in June 1943, and on completion was assigned to convoy duty off Australia's east coast, where she remained until February 1944.<ref name=spc/> Between February and June, she was involved in anti-submarine patrols off Sandy Cape, then was again assigned to New Guinea.<ref name=spc/> In December 1944, ''Whyalla'' was one of nine Australian ''Bathurst''s assigned to the [[British Pacific Fleet]]'s [[21st Minesweeping Flotilla]].<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' spent the rest of the war performing minesweeping, escort, and anti-submarine duties with the British Pacific Fleet, as well as participating in the [[Battle of Okinawa|occupation of Okinawa]] from March to May 1944, and entering a short refit in June 1944.<ref name=spc/> Following the conclusion of World War II, ''Whyalla'' spent a short time operating in Hong Kong before returning to Brisbane in October 1945.<ref name=spc/> She was decommissioned on 16 May 1946.<ref name=spc/>
''Whyalla'' returned to Australia for refits in June 1943, and on completion was assigned to convoy duty off Australia's east coast, where she remained until February 1944.<ref name=spc/> Between February and June, she was involved in anti-submarine patrols off Sandy Cape, then was again assigned to New Guinea.<ref name=spc/> In December 1944, ''Whyalla'' was one of nine Australian ''Bathurst''s assigned to the [[British Pacific Fleet]]'s 21st Minesweeping Flotilla.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' spent the rest of the war performing minesweeping, escort, and anti-submarine duties with the British Pacific Fleet, as well as participating in the [[Battle of Okinawa|occupation of Okinawa]] from March to May 1944, and entering a short refit in June 1944.<ref name=spc/> Following the conclusion of World War II, ''Whyalla'' spent a short time operating in Hong Kong before returning to Brisbane in October 1945.<ref name=spc/> She was decommissioned on 16 May 1946.<ref name=spc/>


The corvette received three [[battle honour]]s for her wartime service: "Pacific 1942-45", "New Guinea 1942-44", and "Okinawa 1945".<ref name=newhonours>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |title=Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110613184920/http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |archivedate=13 June 2011 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |accessdate=23 December 2012}}</ref><ref name=honourslist>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |title=Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110614064156/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |archivedate=14 June 2011 |accessdate=23 December 2012}}</ref>
The corvette received three [[battle honour]]s for her wartime service: "Pacific 1942–45", "New Guinea 1942–44", and "Okinawa 1945".<ref name=newhonours>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |title=Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184920/http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |archive-date=13 June 2011 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref><ref name=honourslist>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |title=Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614064156/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2011 |access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref>


===Civilian service===
===Civilian service===
[[File:HMAS Whyalla by Allan Green SLV H91.108 273.jpeg|thumb|left|Lighthouse maintenance vessel ''Rip'']]
''Whyalla'' was sold to the [[Victorian Public Works Department]] on 10 February 1947.<ref name=spc/> The corvette was modified for civilian service, renamed ''Rip'', and towed to Melbourne, where she entered service as a lighthouse maintenance vessel at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.<ref name=spc/> The ship was in service until 1984, and was to be sold for scrap.<ref name=spc/>
''Whyalla'' was sold to the [[Public Works Department (Victoria)|Victorian Public Works Department]] on 10 February 1947.<ref name=spc/><ref>{{cite book|last=Gillett|first=Ross|title=Warships of Australia|date=1977|publisher=Rigby|isbn=0-7270-0472-7|page=207}}</ref> The corvette was modified for civilian service, renamed ''Rip'', and towed to [[Melbourne]], where she entered service as a lighthouse maintenance vessel at the entrance to [[Port Phillip Bay]].<ref name=spc/> The ship was in service until 1984, and was to be sold for scrap.<ref name=spc/>


===Maritime museum===
===Maritime museum===
When the [[Whyalla, South Australia|Whyalla City Council]] learned that the corvette was to be scrapped, they negotiated to purchase the ship.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' was purchased for A$5,000 and sailed back to Whyalla with a volunteer crew of 11 and under her own steam in late 1984.<ref name=spc/> The corvette was located in her launching slipway until April 1987, when she was moved 2 kilometres inland to become the centrepiece of the Whyalla Maritime Museum, which opened in 29 October 1988.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' is one of only two ''Bathurst'' class corvettes still in existence as [[museum ship]]s; the other being [[HMAS Castlemaine|HMAS ''Castlemaine'']].<ref name=spc/>
When the [[City of Whyalla|Whyalla City Council]] learned that the corvette was to be scrapped, it negotiated to purchase the ship.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' was purchased for $5,000 and sailed back to Whyalla with a volunteer crew of 11 and under her own steam in late 1984.<ref name=spc/> The corvette was located in her launching slipway until April 1987, when she was moved {{convert|2|km}} inland to become the centrepiece of the Whyalla Maritime Museum, which opened on 29 October 1988.<ref name=spc/> ''Whyalla'' is one of only two ''Bathurst''-class corvettes still in existence as [[museum ship]]s; the other being [[HMAS Castlemaine|HMAS ''Castlemaine'']].<ref name=spc/>


==References==
==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==Citations==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==References==
===Books===
⚫
{{Commonscat-inline|HMAS Whyalla (J153)}}
*{{cite book |last=Donohue |first=Hector |title=From Empire Defence to the Long Haul: post-war defence policy and its impact on naval force structure planning 1945–1955 |series=Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs |volume=1 |date=October 1996 |publisher=Sea Power Centre |location=Canberra |isbn=0-642-25907-0 |issn=1327-5658 |oclc=36817771}}
⚫
* http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mildura/corvettes_6.htm#Whyalla
*{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=David |title=A Critical Vulnerability: the impact of the submarine threat on Australia's maritime defense 1915–1954 |series=Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs |volume=15 |year=2005 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia |location=Canberra |isbn=0-642-29625-1 |oclc=62548623 |issn=1327-5658}}
* [http://www.hnsa.org/ships/whyalla.htm HNSA Ship Page: HMSA Whyalla]
*{{cite book |author=Stevens, David |author2=Sears, Jason|author3= Goldrick, James|author4= Cooper, Alastair|author5= Jones, Peter|author6= Spurling, Kathryn |editor=Stevens, David |title=The Royal Australian Navy |series=The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III) |year=2001 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|location=South Melbourne|isbn=0-19-554116-2 |oclc=50418095}}


===Journal and news articles===
<!-- non-breaking space to keep AWB drones from altering the space before the navbox-->
*{{cite journal |last=Stevens |first=David |date=May 2010 |title=The Australian Corvettes |journal=Hindsight (Semaphore) |publisher=Sea Power Centre – Australia |volume=2010 |issue=5 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Semaphore_2010_5.pdf |access-date=13 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320183407/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Semaphore_2010_5.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2011 }}

==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category-inline|HMAS Whyalla (J153)}}
⚫
* https://web.archive.org/web/20070926223414/http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mildura/corvettes_6.htm#Whyalla
* [http://www.hnsa.org/ships/whyalla.htm HNSA Ship Page: HMSA Whyalla] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014044412/http://hnsa.org/ships/whyalla.htm |date=14 October 2007 }}


{{Bathurst class corvette}}
{{Bathurst class corvette}}


{{coord| 33.019307|S|137.574888|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
{{coord missing|South Australia}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Whyalla (J153)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whyalla}}
[[Category:Bathurst-class corvettes of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:Bathurst-class corvettes of the Royal Australian Navy]]
⚫
[[Category:Lighthouse tenders of Australia]]
[[Category:Museums in South Australia]]
[[Category:Museum ships in Australia]]
[[Category:Ships built in South Australia]]
[[Category:Ships built in South Australia]]
[[Category:1941 ships]]
[[Category:Whyalla]]
[[Category:World War II corvettes of Australia]]
[[Category:World War II corvettes of Australia]]
[[Category:Museum ships in Australia]]
[[Category:1941 ships]]
⚫
[[Category:Museums in South Australia]]

Latest revision as of 17:41, 19 May 2024

For other ships with the same name, see HMAS Whyalla.

HMAS Whyalla
HMAS Whyalla
History
Australia
NamesakeCity of Whyalla
BuilderBHP, Whyalla
Yard number8
Laid down24 July 1940
Launched12 May 1941
Commissioned8 January 1942
Decommissioned16 May 1946
Honours and
awards
FateSold into civilian service
Victorian Public Works Department
NameRip
Acquired10 February 1947
In service1947
Out of service1984
ReclassifiedLighthouse maintenance vessel
FateSold in 1984
Whyalla City Council
NameWhyalla
AcquiredLate 1984
StatusLandlocked museum ship
General characteristics during RAN service
Class and typeBathurst-class corvette
Displacement733 tons (standard)
Length186 ft (57 m)
Beam31 ft (9.4 m)
Draught8.5 ft (2.6 m)
Propulsiontriple expansion engine, 2 shafts
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) at 1,750 hp
Complement85
Armament

HMAS Whyalla (J153/B252), named for the city of Whyalla 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). The ship was sold to the Victorian Public Works Department at the end of the war, who renamed her Rip and used her as a maintenance ship. In 1984, she was purchased by Whyalla City Council, who put her on display as a landlocked museum ship in 1987.

Design and construction

[edit]
Main article: Bathurst-class corvette

In 1938, the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board (ACNB) identified the need for a general purpose 'local defence vessel' capable of both anti-submarine and mine-warfare duties, while easy to construct and operate.[1][2] The vessel was initially envisaged as having a displacement of approximately 500 tons, a speed of at least 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph), and a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi)[3] The opportunity to build a prototype in the place of a cancelled Bar-class boom defence vessel saw the proposed design increased to a 680-ton vessel, with a 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph) top speed, and a range of 2,850 nautical miles (5,280 km; 3,280 mi), armed with a 4-inch gun, equipped with asdic, and able to fitted with either depth charges or minesweeping equipment depending on the planned operations: although closer in size to a sloop than a local defence vessel, the resulting increased capabilities were accepted due to advantages over British-designed mine warfare and anti-submarine vessels.[1][4] Construction of the prototype HMAS Kangaroo did not go ahead, but the plans were retained.[5]

The need for locally built 'all-rounder' vessels at the start of World War II saw the "Australian Minesweepers" (designated as such to hide their anti-submarine capability, but popularly referred to as "corvettes") approved in September 1939, with 60 constructed during the course of the war: 36 ordered by the RAN, 20 (including Whyalla) ordered by the British Admiralty but manned and commissioned as RAN vessels, and 4 for the Royal Indian Navy.[1][6][7][8][9]

Whyalla was laid down by BHP at its Whyalla shipyard on 24 July 1940 as Yard Number 8.[9][10] The corvette was launched on 12 May 1941 by Lady Barclay-Harvey, wife of the Governor of South Australia, and commissioned on 8 January 1942.[9] Whyalla was the first ship built by the Whyalla shipyard.[a][12] The ship was originally to be named Glenelg, for the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg.[13] That name was later used by another Bathurst-class vessel.

Operational history

[edit]

RAN

[edit]

In 1942, the corvette worked supporting convoys off the south eastern Australian coast, and was in Sydney Harbour during the Japanese midget submarine attack of 31 May 1942.[9][14] 12 days later, Whyalla was escorting a southbound convoy when the freighter Guatemala was torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-21, the only ship to be lost in a convoy escorted by Whyalla.[9]

In December 1942, the corvette was assigned to New Guinea, where she performed convoy escort, hydrographic survey work, and was involved in the leadup to the Battle of Buna-Gona.[9] On 2 January 1943, Whyalla and two small Australian survey ships, Stella and Polaris, were attacked by Japanese dive-bombers while in McLaren Harbour, Cape Nelson, New Guinea.[9][15] The corvette received minor damage from near-misses, with two crew injured by shrapnel.[9] The corvette continued survey work until relieved by sister ship Shepparton in April 1943.[9] Whyalla proceeded to Milne Bay, and was present when the anchorage was attacked by a force of approximately 100 Japanese aircraft.[9] Again, Whyalla was not seriously damaged, and the corvette assisted sister ships Kapunda and Wagga in the rescue and salvage effort.[9]

Whyalla returned to Australia for refits in June 1943, and on completion was assigned to convoy duty off Australia's east coast, where she remained until February 1944.[9] Between February and June, she was involved in anti-submarine patrols off Sandy Cape, then was again assigned to New Guinea.[9] In December 1944, Whyalla was one of nine Australian Bathursts assigned to the British Pacific Fleet's 21st Minesweeping Flotilla.[9] Whyalla spent the rest of the war performing minesweeping, escort, and anti-submarine duties with the British Pacific Fleet, as well as participating in the occupation of Okinawa from March to May 1944, and entering a short refit in June 1944.[9] Following the conclusion of World War II, Whyalla spent a short time operating in Hong Kong before returning to Brisbane in October 1945.[9] She was decommissioned on 16 May 1946.[9]

The corvette received three battle honours for her wartime service: "Pacific 1942–45", "New Guinea 1942–44", and "Okinawa 1945".[16][17]

Civilian service

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Lighthouse maintenance vessel Rip

Whyalla was sold to the Victorian Public Works Department on 10 February 1947.[9][18] The corvette was modified for civilian service, renamed Rip, and towed to Melbourne, where she entered service as a lighthouse maintenance vessel at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.[9] The ship was in service until 1984, and was to be sold for scrap.[9]

Maritime museum

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When the Whyalla City Council learned that the corvette was to be scrapped, it negotiated to purchase the ship.[9] Whyalla was purchased for $5,000 and sailed back to Whyalla with a volunteer crew of 11 and under her own steam in late 1984.[9] The corvette was located in her launching slipway until April 1987, when she was moved 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) inland to become the centrepiece of the Whyalla Maritime Museum, which opened on 29 October 1988.[9] Whyalla is one of only two Bathurst-class corvettes still in existence as museum ships; the other being HMAS Castlemaine.[9]

Notes

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  1. ^ Yard No. 1-7 were cargo ships which were built later [11]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c Stevens, The Australian Corvettes, p. 1
  2. ^ Stevens, A Critical Vulnerability, p. 103
  3. ^ Stevens, A Critical Vulnerability, pp. 103–4
  4. ^ Stevens, A Critical Vulnerability, pp. 103–5
  5. ^ Stevens, A Critical Vulnerability, p. 104
  6. ^ Stevens, A Critical Vulnerability, pp. 105, 148
  7. ^ Donohue, From Empire Defence to the Long Haul, p. 29
  8. ^ Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 108
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "HMAS Whyalla (I)". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  10. ^ "6114512". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Broken Hill Pty Co". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 27 August 2021.(subscription required)
  12. ^ Whyalla > History 1940–1960 Accessed 17 September 2013.
  13. ^ Straczek, Joe (Winter 2003). "What's in a name: a chronological list – part 2". Australian Sea Heritage (75). Australian Heritage Fleet: 13. ISSN 0813-0523.
  14. ^ Jenkins, David (1992). Battle Surface! Japan's Submarine War Against Australia 1942–44. Milsons Point: Random House. pp. 193–194. ISBN 0-09-182638-1.
  15. ^ Gill, G. Hermon (1968). Royal Australian Navy 1942–1945. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 2 – Navy. Vol. 2. Canberra: Australian War Memorial.
  16. ^ "Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours". Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  17. ^ "Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours" (PDF). Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  18. ^ Gillett, Ross (1977). Warships of Australia. Rigby. p. 207. ISBN 0-7270-0472-7.

References

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Books

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  • Donohue, Hector (October 1996). From Empire Defence to the Long Haul: post-war defence policy and its impact on naval force structure planning 1945–1955. Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs. Vol. 1. Canberra: Sea Power Centre. ISBN 0-642-25907-0. ISSN 1327-5658. OCLC 36817771.
  • Stevens, David (2005). A Critical Vulnerability: the impact of the submarine threat on Australia's maritime defense 1915–1954. Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs. Vol. 15. Canberra: Sea Power Centre Australia. ISBN 0-642-29625-1. ISSN 1327-5658. OCLC 62548623.
  • Stevens, David; Sears, Jason; Goldrick, James; Cooper, Alastair; Jones, Peter; Spurling, Kathryn (2001). Stevens, David (ed.). The Royal Australian Navy. The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-554116-2. OCLC 50418095.

Journal and news articles

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  • Stevens, David (May 2010). "The Australian Corvettes" (PDF). Hindsight (Semaphore). 2010 (5). Sea Power Centre – Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
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Media related to HMAS Whyalla (J153) at Wikimedia Commons

33°01′10″S 137°34′30″E / 33.019307°S 137.574888°E / -33.019307; 137.574888

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