HMAS Kookaburra
Encyclopedia
HMAS Kookaburra (A331) was a Net-class
Net class boom defence vessel
The Net class were a class of boom defence vessels of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy during World War II.-Royal Navy: -References:...
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), which served during 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...
.
Construction
Kookaburra was of three ships ordered by the Royal Australian NavyRoyal 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...
for use as boom-net defence vessels. She was laid down by Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Co. in Sydney on 4 April 1938, launched on 29 October 1938, and commissioned into the RAN on 28 February 1939.
Operational history
Originally used as boom defence ship and anti-submarine training vessel in Sydney, Kookaburra was transferred to Darwin in April 1940. The ship served as a boom defense and examination vesselExamination vessel
An examination vessel is a vessel used to inspect ships and boats entering a port during wartime.An examination vessel would typically be responsible for examining and verifying all merchant ships and small craft entering or departing a port...
in Darwin, and remained there until the end of World War II, with the exception of a refit in Brisbane between September 1942 and February 1943. Kookaburra received the battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
"Darwin 1942-43" for her wartime service.
On 15 January 1946, Kookaburra was paid off into reserve, was briefly recommissioned for a voyage to Sydney in 1950, and underwent conversion to a "Special Duties Vessel". Kookaburra was recommissioned again on 11 May 1956 as a survey and general duties ship.
In July 1952, the ship visited Brisbane. During this visit, a paperboy delivering to the ship fell overboard and was rescued by two personnel from Kookaburra.