HMAS Barcoo
From Our Contribution
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMAS Barcoo |
| Owner | Royal Australian Navy |
| Builder | Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Co. Ltd, Sydney |
| Launched | 26 Aug 1943 |
| Completed | 16 Jan 1944 |
| In service | 17 Jan 1944 |
| Out of service | 21 Feb 1964 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap 15 Feb 1972 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | River class Frigate |
| Tonnage | 1,340 tons |
| Length | 91.85m |
| Beam | 11.18m |
| Depth | 3.66m |
| Propulsion | 5,500 HP |
| Speed | 20 knots |
| Capacity | 140 crew |
Remarks
Following her sea trials and work up, the Barcoo sailed for New Guinea waters, and convoy escort duties. In early 1944 she was used to bombard Kar Kar island and Banaburi Harbour in east New Guinea. This was followed between June and August by further convoy escort work, before proceeding to Sydney in September 1944 for a brief refit, returning to northern waters on 19 Oct 1944. During November 1944 she was again bombarding shore targets, this time on New Britain and in the Wide Bay area, before returning to escort duties.
In late January 1945 she proceeded to Sydney for a refit, returning to New guinea on 27 Mar 1945. In April she proceeded to Morotai Island to prepare for a role in the invasion of Borneo. She participated in the landing at Tarakan on 1 May 1945 and then at Brunei Bay. Her final warlike act was in bombarding Japanese positions on the east coast of Borneo on 3 Aug 1945.
Up until February 1946 she was engaged in ferrying troops, and returned allied POWs. HMAS Barcoo was granted a refi ta nd conversion at Williamstown naval Dockyard in Melbourne
Battle Honours
- Pacific 1941-45
- New Guinea 1942-44
- Borneo 1945
Soldiers carried
- Arthur Edward Pries 25 Jan - 25 Aug 1945