HMAS Ararat
From Our Contribution
 Photo form State Library of Victoria | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMAS Ararat |
| Owner | Royal Australian navy |
| Builder | Evans Deakin & Co, Brisbane |
| Launched | 20 Feb 1943 |
| Completed | 15 Jun 1943 |
| In service | 16 Jun 1943 |
| Out of service | 11 Apr 1947 |
| Fate | used on salvage work in Darwin harbour before being scrapped in 1960s |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Australian Minesweeper |
| Tonnage | 590 tonnes |
| Length | 56.69 metres |
| Beam | 9.45 metres |
| Depth | 2.59 metres |
| Propulsion | triple expansion engine, twin shaft 2,000 HP |
| Speed | 15 knots |
| Capacity | crew of 85 |
Remarks
Initial duties involved convoy escorts along Australia's eastern seaboard. In October 1943 she left Townsville for Milne Bay and from there acted as an escort vessel to forward areas for the rest of the year. In March 1944 HMAS Ararat was transferred to operate out of Langemak, New Guinea before being sent to Melbourne for a refit.
Returning to New Guinea waters in July 1944 she undertook escort and patrol work between Langemak and Hollandia, before transferring to Manus Island for the rest of the year where under US control she was constantly at sea as preparations continued for the push north. The first half of 1945 saw more of the same, but based out of Morotai, after which she was sent to assist in the Australian operations to recover Borneo. In need of another refit, HMAS Ararat left for Adelaide in Jul 1945 where she was when hostilities ceased. In October 1945 she joined the 20th Minesweeping Flotilla for post war mine clearance, operating in Australian waters until April 1946 and then the islands east of New Guinea. On 13 Nov 1946 she sailed into Sydney from Rabaul, and was paid off into the reserve Fleet on 11 Apr 1947.
Battle Honours
- Pacific 1941-45
- New Guinea 1942-44
Crew members
- Nigel Croudson 21 Oct 1946 - 18 Mar 1947