 HMASKangaroo in 1947 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia | |
| Namesake | Kangaroo |
| Builder | Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Company |
| Laid down | 15 November 1939 |
| Launched | 4 May 1940 |
| Commissioned | 27 September 1940 |
| Decommissioned | 15 December 1955 |
| Identification | P80 |
| Honours and awards |
|
| Fate | Scrapped in 1968 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Boom defence vessel |
| Displacement | 768 tons (standard) |
| Length | 178 ft 3 in (54.33 m) |
| Beam | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draught | 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m) |
| Propulsion | Triple expansion, 1,850 hp, single screw |
| Speed | 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph) |
| Complement | 32 |
| Armament |
|
HMASKangaroo was aBar-classboom defence vessel of theRoyal Australian Navy (RAN). Although originally ordered as a boom vessel,Kangaroo was at one point to be built as the prototype for what became theBathurst-classcorvettes, but reverted to the boom defence design before construction started. Launched in 1940, the ship spent most ofWorld War II operating the anti-submarine net inDarwin.Kangaroo remained in service until 1955, and after several years as an accommodation ship, was sold forscrapping in 1967.
In 1937, three ships were ordered by the RAN for use as Boom Defense Vessels.[1] 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.[2] The RAN's Director of Engineering was instructed to prepare plans for the ship in July 1938, which were completed six months later.[3] The ship was to weigh 680 tons, with a speed of 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph), and a range of 2,850 miles (4,590 km).[3]Kangaroo would have been armed with two 4-inch guns and depth charges, and equipped withasdic.[3][4][5]
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Before construction could begin, the number of boom vessels was increased back to three, andKangaroo was laid down to this design byCockatoo Docks and Engineering Company on 15 November 1939.[3]Kangaroo was launched on 4 May 1940, and commissioned into the RAN on 27 September 1940. The unused design was later modified and used for theBathurst-classcorvettes.[5]
Kangaroo arrived inDarwin in January 1941 and established and maintained the anti-submarine boom inDarwin Harbour with three similar vessels.Kangaroo suffered damage and one fatality during thebombing of Darwin in February 1942. She was repaired inBrisbane 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.[6][7]
Kangaroo remained in active commission after the war and performed various duties Australian and New Guinea waters during the late 1940s and early 1950s.[5]
She paid off to reserve on 15 December 1955 and was used as an accommodation ship.Kangaroo was sold for scrap on 28 August 1967 and was scrapped in 1968.[5]
Media related toHMAS Kangaroo (ship, 1940) at Wikimedia Commons
