HMAS Koompartoo
From Our Contribution
 Prior to conversion fro RAN use | |
 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMAS Kppmpartoo |
| Owner | Sydney Ferries Limited / RAN |
| Builder | Walsh Island Dockyard and Engineering Works, Newcastle, Aus |
| Yard number | 53 |
| Launched | 15 Dec 1921 |
| Completed | April 1922 |
| In service | May 1922 |
| Out of service | 8 Jun 1962 |
| Fate | unknown |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ferry / Boom Gate Vessel |
| Tonnage | 448 tons |
| Length | 191 ft (58m) |
| Beam | 38 ft 3 in (11.7m) |
| Depth | 10 ft 9 in |
| Propulsion | screws fore and aft |
| Speed | 12.5 knots |
| Capacity | 2,089 passengers when operated as a Ferry |
Remarks
A Sydney Ferry (dounle ended) constructed for the level of traffic experienced prior to the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sais to be the equal largest ferry ever to have operated on the harbour see commenced service in 1922. Once the bridge was completed in 1932 she was redundant, and was laid up, with occasional use for events and tourist tours of the harbour. Between 1935 and 1941 she served as a concert boat.
Commissioned service as a boom defence vessel with the RAN began on 23 Dec 1942, having been aquired on 18 June. She was taken to Darwin in January 1943, remaining ther euntil the end of the war. Held in reserve at Darwin until 1950, she returned to Sydney to be laid up at Athol Bight. In April 1962, she was identified for disposal and sold on 8 June 1962. Stripped of her superstructure and towed to Launceston in 1966 for use as a bauxite barge. Her final fate is unclear, however, it is thought she may have sunk in Port Latta and then been removed.
Armament Guns 2 x 20mm Oerlikons 4 x .303 inch Vickers MG
Crew Members
- Ian Stuart MacLean 6 Sep - 17 Oct 1945