HMAS Whyalla (J153) facts for kids
HMAS Whyalla
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Australia |
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| Namesake | City of Whyalla |
| Builder | BHP, Whyalla |
| Yard number | 8 |
| Laid down | 24 July 1940 |
| Launched | 12 May 1941 |
| Commissioned | 8 January 1942 |
| Decommissioned | 16 May 1946 |
| Honours and awards |
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| Fate | Sold into civilian service |
| History | |
| Victorian Public Works Department | |
| Name | Rip |
| Acquired | 10 February 1947 |
| In service | 1947 |
| Out of service | 1984 |
| Reclassified | Lighthouse maintenance vessel |
| Fate | Sold in 1984 |
| History | |
| Whyalla City Council | |
| Name | Whyalla |
| Acquired | Late 1984 |
| Status | Landlocked museum ship |
| General characteristics during RAN service | |
| Class and type | Bathurst-class corvette |
| Displacement | 733 tons (standard) |
| Length | 186 ft (57 m) |
| Beam | 31 ft (9.4 m) |
| Draught | 8.5 ft (2.6 m) |
| Propulsion | triple expansion engine, 2 shafts |
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) at 1,750 hp |
| Complement | 85 |
| Armament |
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HMAS Whyalla (J153/B252) was a special kind of warship called a Bathurst-class corvette. It was named after the city of Whyalla in Australia. This ship was one of 60 corvettes built during World War II.
Even though the British Admiralty ordered 20 of these ships, Whyalla was operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). After the war, the ship was sold to the Victorian Public Works Department. They renamed her Rip and used her to maintain lighthouses. In 1984, the Whyalla City Council bought the ship. Since 1987, Whyalla has been on display as a museum ship, located on land.
Contents
Building a Warship: The Bathurst-Class Corvettes
Why Australia Needed These Ships
In 1938, the Australian Navy realized they needed a new type of ship. This ship had to be able to defend against submarines and clear mines. It also had to be easy to build and operate.
The first idea was for a ship around 500 tons. It needed to go at least 10 knots (about 18.5 km/h). It also needed to travel 2,000 nautical miles (about 3,700 km) without refueling.
How the Design Changed
The design for the ship grew bigger. It became a 680-ton vessel. It could reach a top speed of 15.5 knots (about 28.7 km/h). Its range increased to 2,850 nautical miles (about 5,280 km).
These ships were armed with a 4-inch gun. They had special equipment called asdic to find submarines. They could also carry depth charges or minesweeping gear. This made them very versatile.
Building the "Australian Minesweepers"
When World War II began, Australia needed many of these all-purpose ships. They were called "Australian Minesweepers." This name helped hide their ability to hunt submarines. People often called them "corvettes."
Sixty of these ships were built during the war. The RAN ordered 36. The British Admiralty ordered 20, including Whyalla. These 20 ships were operated by the RAN. Four more were built for the Royal Indian Navy.
The Launch of HMAS Whyalla
Whyalla was built by BHP at its shipyard in Whyalla. Construction began on 24 July 1940. The ship was launched on 12 May 1941. Lady Barclay-Harvey, the wife of the Governor of South Australia, launched the ship.
Whyalla was the very first ship built at the Whyalla shipyard. It was originally going to be named Glenelg. However, that name was later used for another Bathurst-class ship. Whyalla officially joined the navy on 8 January 1942.
HMAS Whyalla in Action: World War II Service
Defending Australia's Coasts
In 1942, Whyalla helped protect convoys (groups of ships) along Australia's southeastern coast. She was in Sydney Harbour during the Japanese midget submarine attack on 31 May 1942.
Twelve days later, Whyalla was escorting a convoy. A Japanese submarine, I-21, torpedoed and sank the freighter Guatemala. This was the only ship lost from a convoy that Whyalla was protecting.
Fighting in New Guinea
In December 1942, Whyalla was sent to New Guinea. There, she escorted convoys and did important survey work. She also helped prepare for the Battle of Buna-Gona.
On 2 January 1943, Japanese dive-bombers attacked Whyalla and two smaller Australian survey ships. This happened in McLaren Harbour, New Guinea. Whyalla got minor damage from bombs that landed nearby. Two crew members were hurt by shrapnel.
Whyalla kept doing survey work until April 1943. Then, another ship, Shepparton, took over. Whyalla went to Milne Bay. She was there when about 100 Japanese aircraft attacked the harbor. Again, Whyalla was not badly damaged. She helped rescue people and save ships with her sister ships, Kapunda and Wagga.
Joining the British Pacific Fleet
Whyalla returned to Australia for repairs in June 1943. After repairs, she protected convoys off Australia's east coast until February 1944. From February to June, she patrolled for submarines.
In December 1944, Whyalla joined the British Pacific Fleet. She was part of the 21st Minesweeping Flotilla. For the rest of the war, Whyalla cleared mines, escorted ships, and hunted submarines. She also took part in the occupation of Okinawa from March to May 1945.
After World War II ended, Whyalla operated in Hong Kong for a short time. She returned to Brisbane in October 1945. The ship was officially taken out of service on 16 May 1946.
Whyalla earned three special awards, called battle honours, for her service: "Pacific 1942–45," "New Guinea 1942–44," and "Okinawa 1945."
A New Life: Civilian Service as Rip
On 10 February 1947, Whyalla was sold to the Victorian Public Works Department. The ship was changed for civilian use and renamed Rip. She was then towed to Melbourne.
Rip began working as a lighthouse maintenance vessel. She helped keep lighthouses working at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The ship served until 1984. After that, she was going to be sold for scrap metal.
A Museum Ship: HMAS Whyalla Today
Saving a Piece of History
When the Whyalla City Council heard that the ship was going to be scrapped, they decided to buy it. They bought Whyalla for $5,000.
In late 1984, a volunteer crew of 11 sailed the ship back to Whyalla. She traveled under her own power.
Moving Inland
Whyalla stayed in her original launching area until April 1987. Then, she was moved 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) inland. This was a huge effort!
The ship became the main attraction of the Whyalla Maritime Museum. The museum opened on 29 October 1988. Whyalla is one of only two Bathurst-class corvettes that are still around as museum ships. The other is HMAS Castlemaine.
