HMAS Kookaburra
The Net class Boom Defence Vessel in her later guise as a "special duties" ship, post- 1956.
She had started life at Cockatoo Island in 1939 and was based at Sydney until the outbreak of war when she moved north to Darwin. She survived the bombings of 1942 but didn't return to Sydney until 1950.
Although slow and ponderous these ships were indispensable for rescue, salvage and oceanographic work; it's likely that some of her duties in later years were tied to anti submarine research and therefore sensitive- of note here is the RFDF coil mounted before the funnel for use in detecting submarines that she could never conceivably catch!
Uncomfortable in any sea the decks were often awash and several portholes have been welded up in this view. In an effort to increase speed (max 9.5kts) while leaving harbour the stokers have just cranked up the oil sprayers in the boiler room, but have done so without finesse.
Paying off in 1958 she was replaced by the newer but similar HMAS Kimbla who also inherited the claim to being the Navy's slowest ship (and the associated mirth).
Kookaburra was sold for scrap in 1965 but sank in Rozelle Bay two years later awaiting demolition. She was raised and towed to sea in 1970 being scuttled about 4 miles off Sydney.
Apologies are made for blemishes in this photo but it's too good a capture to ignore!
www.navy.gov.au/hmas-kookaburra
Imagery scanned from Naval Historic Archives.
HMAS Kookaburra
The Net class Boom Defence Vessel in her later guise as a "special duties" ship, post- 1956.
She had started life at Cockatoo Island in 1939 and was based at Sydney until the outbreak of war when she moved north to Darwin. She survived the bombings of 1942 but didn't return to Sydney until 1950.
Although slow and ponderous these ships were indispensable for rescue, salvage and oceanographic work; it's likely that some of her duties in later years were tied to anti submarine research and therefore sensitive- of note here is the RFDF coil mounted before the funnel for use in detecting submarines that she could never conceivably catch!
Uncomfortable in any sea the decks were often awash and several portholes have been welded up in this view. In an effort to increase speed (max 9.5kts) while leaving harbour the stokers have just cranked up the oil sprayers in the boiler room, but have done so without finesse.
Paying off in 1958 she was replaced by the newer but similar HMAS Kimbla who also inherited the claim to being the Navy's slowest ship (and the associated mirth).
Kookaburra was sold for scrap in 1965 but sank in Rozelle Bay two years later awaiting demolition. She was raised and towed to sea in 1970 being scuttled about 4 miles off Sydney.
Apologies are made for blemishes in this photo but it's too good a capture to ignore!
www.navy.gov.au/hmas-kookaburra
Imagery scanned from Naval Historic Archives.