HMAS Kangaroo
Encyclopedia
HMAS Kangaroo was a Bar-class
Bar class boom defence vessel
The Bar class were a class of boom defence vessels of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy during World War II.-Royal Navy:* HMS Barbain * HMS Barbarian * HMS Barbastel * HMS Barberry * HMS Barbette...
boom defence vessel of the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN). Although originally ordered as a boom vessel, Kangaroo was as one point to be built as the prototype for what became the Bathurst class corvettes
Bathurst class corvette
The Bathurst class corvettes were a class of general purpose vessels produced in Australia during World War II. Originally classified as minesweepers, but widely referred to as corvettes, the Bathurst class vessels fulfilled a broad anti-submarine, anti-mine, and convoy escort role.Sixty Bathurst...
, but reverted back to the boom defence design before construction started. Launched in 1940, the ship spent most of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
operating the anti-submarine net in Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
. Kangaroo remained in service until 1955, and after several years as an accommodation ship, was sold for scrapping
Ship breaking
Ship breaking or ship demolition is a type of ship disposal involving the breaking up of ships for scrap recycling. Most ships have a lifespan of a few decades before there is so much wear that refitting and repair becomes uneconomical. Ship breaking allows materials from the ship, especially...
in 1967.
Design and construction
In 1937, three ships were ordered by the RAN for use as Boom Defense Vessels. The plan was altered in early 1938 to require only two ships; the third, Kangaroo was earmarked to be constructed as a prototype local defense vessel. The RAN's Director of Engineering was instructed to prepare plans for the ship in July 1938, which were completed six months later. The ship was to weigh 680 tons, with a speed of 15.5 knots (8.4 m/s), and a range of 2850 miles (4,586.6 km). Kangaroo would have been armed with two 4-inch guns and depth charges, and equipped with asdic..jpg)
Bathurst class corvette
The Bathurst class corvettes were a class of general purpose vessels produced in Australia during World War II. Originally classified as minesweepers, but widely referred to as corvettes, the Bathurst class vessels fulfilled a broad anti-submarine, anti-mine, and convoy escort role.Sixty Bathurst...
.
Operational history
Kangaroo arrived in Darwin, Northern TerritoryDarwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
in January 1941 and established and maintained the anti-submarine boom in Darwin Harbour with three similar vessels. Kangaroo suffered damage and one fatality during the bombing of Darwin in February 1942. She was repaired in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
from 1 April to 20 May 1942 and spent the remainder of the war in Darwin. She received the battle honour "Darwin 1942-43" for her wartime service.
Kangaroo remained in active commission after the war and performed various duties Australian and New Guinea waters during the late 1940s and early 1950s.