Ship Histories

Select from the list below to view ship data and historical facts of past RAN vessels.

We apologise if a ship you are particularly interested in is not on this list. Our Naval History Section continues to work on updating this list however researching each individual ship history is an involved process that entails reviewing monthly Reports of Proceedings and official logs for each year of a ship's commission.

Often this material can span a period of greater than 20 years and it takes considerable time to review it and author an accurate history suitable for publication. Your patience in this matter is appreciated.

Ship Pennant Class Type Commissioned Decommissioned
HMAS AE1 E Class Submarine 2420191.528 February 1914
HMAS AE2 E Class Submarine 2420191.528 February 1914
HMAS Abraham Crijnssen Van Amstel Class Minesweeper 2428679.526 May 1937 2430849.55 May 1943
HMAS Adelaide (I) Modified Town Class Cruiser 2423271.55 August 1922 2431953.513 May 1946
HMAS Adelaide (II) FFG 01 Adelaide Class Surface Combatant 2444558.515 November 1980 2454484.519 January 2008
HMAS Albatross (I) Carrier 2425634.523 January 1929 2427188.526 April 1933
HMAS Anzac (II) Battle Class Destroyer 2433719.514 March 1951 2442324.54 October 1974
HMAS Ararat (I) Bathurst Class Minesweeper 2430891.516 June 1943 2432286.511 April 1947
HMAS Armidale (I) Bathurst Class Minesweeper 2430521.511 June 1942
HMAS Arunta (I) Tribal Class Destroyer 2430448.530 March 1942 2435828.521 December 1956
HMAS Assail (I) Attack Class Patrol Boat 2440049.512 July 1968 2446356.518 October 1985
HMAS Australia (I) Cruiser 2419939.521 June 1913 2423035.512 December 1921
HMAS Australia (II) County Class Cruiser 2425360.524 April 1928 2434985.531 August 1954
HMAS Ballarat (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430236.530 August 1941
HMAS Barcoo River Class Frigate 2431106.517 January 1944
HMAS Barwon River Class Frigate 2431799.510 December 1945
HMAS Bataan Tribal Class Destroyer 2431600.525 May 1945
HMAS Bathurst (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2429969.56 December 1940
HMAS Benalla (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430841.527 April 1943
HMAS Bendigo (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430124.510 May 1941
HMAS Bendigo (II) FCPB 211 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445482.528 May 1983 2453987.59 September 2006
HMAS Beryl (II) Auxiliary Minesweeper 2429545.59 October 1939
HMAS Biloela Fleet Collier 2422510.55 July 1920
HMAS Bonthorpe Auxiliary Minesweeper 2429664.55 February 1940
HMAS Boonaroo Auxiliary Vessel (Store and Ammunition) 2439550.51 March 1967
HMAS Bowen Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430672.59 November 1942
HMAS Brisbane (I) Town Class Light Cruiser 2421167.531 October 1916
HMAS Broome (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430569.529 July 1942
HMAS Bunbury (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430727.53 January 1943
HMAS Bunbury (II) FCPB 217 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2446049.515 December 1984 2453777.511 February 2006
HMAS Bundaberg (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430614.512 September 1942
HMAS Burdekin River Class Frigate 2431268.527 June 1944
HMAS Burnie (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430099.515 April 1941
HMAS Cairns (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430490.511 May 1942
HMAS Canberra (I) County Class Heavy Cruiser 2425436.59 July 1928
HMAS Canberra (II) FFG 02 Adelaide Class Surface Combatant 2444684.521 March 1981 2453686.512 November 2005
HMAS Castlemaine Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430527.517 June 1942
HMAS Cessnock (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430385.526 January 1942
HMAS Cessnock (II) P210 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445398.55 March 1983
HMAS Colac Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430365.56 January 1942
HMAS Condamine (I) Modified River (Bay) Class Frigate 2431873.522 February 1946
HMAS Coolebar J25 Auxiliary Minesweeper 2429615.518 December 1939
HMAS Cootamundra Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430844.530 April 1943
HMAS Cowra Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2431005.58 October 1943
HMAS Culgoa Modified River (Bay) Class Frigate 2432276.51 April 1947
HMAS Curlew M1121 Ton Class Minesweeper 2437897.521 August 1962
HMAS Deloraine (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430320.522 November 1941
HMAS Derwent F22, DE22, and 49 (see text for details) River Class Destroyer Escort (formerly designated as Anti-Submarine Frigate Type 12) 2438515.530 April 1964
HMAS Diamantina (I) River Class Frigate / Oceanographic Research Ship 2431572.527 April 1945 2444298.529 February 1980
HMAS Dubbo (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430571.531 July 1942
HMAS Dubbo (II) FCPB 214 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445769.510 March 1984 2454133.52 February 2007
HMAS Duchess Daring Class Destroyer/Training Ship 2438523.58 May 1964 2443439.523 October 1977
HMAS Echuca Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430609.57 September 1942
HMAS Encounter (I) Light cruiser 2419584.51 July 1912
HMAS Fantome Sloop 2420463.527 November 1914
HMAS Fremantle (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430807.524 March 1943
HMAS Fremantle (II) FCPB 203 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2444315.517 March 1980 2453958.511 August 2006
HMAS Gascoyne (I) River Class Frigate / Oceanographic Research Ship 2431046.518 November 1943
HMAS Gawler (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430585.514 August 1942
HMAS Gawler (II) FCPB 212 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445573.527 August 1983 2453924.58 July 2006
HMAS Gayundah Gunboat 2409176.51884
HMAS Geelong (II) FCPB 215 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445853.52 June 1984 2453924.58 July 2006
HMAS Geelong (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430375.516 January 1942
HMAS Geraldton FCPB 213 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445678.510 December 1983 2454015.57 October 2006
HMAS Geraldton (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430455.56 April 1942
HMAS Gladstone FCPB 216 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445951.58 September 1984 2453807.513 March 2006
HMAS Gladstone (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430585.514 August 1942
HMAS Glenelg (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430679.516 November 1942
HMAS Goulburn (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430053.528 February 1941
HMAS Gull Ton Class Minesweeper 2437864.519 July 1962
HMAS Gunbar (I) GN Auxiliary Minesweeper 2429981.518 December 1940
HMAS Gympie (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430667.54 November 1942
HMAS HDML 1347 Q1347 Harbour Defence Motor Launch 2431456.51 January 1945
HMAS Hawk M1139 Ton Class Minesweeper 2437863.518 July 1962
HMAS Hawkesbury (I) River Class Frigate 2431276.55 July 1944
HMAS Hobart (I) Modified Leander Class Light Cruiser 2428180.513 January 1936
HMAS Hobart (II) D39 Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG), Charles F Adams Class 2439112.518 December 1965 2451676.512 May 2000
HMAS Horsham (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430681.518 November 1942
HMAS Huon (I) River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer 2420845.514 December 1915
HMAS Ibis M1183 Ton Class Minesweeper 2437914.57 September 1962
HMAS Inverell (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430619.517 September 1942
HMAS Ipswich (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430523.513 June 1942
HMAS Ipswich (II) FCPB 209 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445286.513 November 1982 2454231.511 May 2007
HMAS J1 J Class Submarine 2422042.525 March 1919
HMAS J2 J Class Submarine 2422042.525 March 1919
HMAS J3 J Class Submarine 2422042.525 March 1919
HMAS J4 J Class Submarine 2422042.525 March 1919
HMAS J5 J Class Submarine 2422042.525 March 1919
HMAS J7 J Class Submarine 2422042.525 March 1919
HMAS Jeparit (I) Auxiliary Vessel (Store Carrier) 2440566.511 December 1969
HMAS Junee (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2431191.511 April 1944
HMAS Kalgoorlie (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430456.57 April 1942
HMAS Kangaroo (I) A291 Boom Defence Vessel 2429899.527 September 1940
HMAS Kanimbla (I) Armed Merchant Cruiser / Landing Ship Infantry 2429542.56 October 1939 2433000.525 March 1949
HMAS Kanimbla (II) L 51 Kanimbla Class Amphibious Warfare 2449593.529 August 1994 2455890.525 November 2011
HMAS Kapunda (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430653.521 October 1942
HMAS Kara Kara (I) Y276 Boom Gate Vessel 2430351.523 December 1941
HMAS Karangi (I) A304 Boom Defence Vessel 2430351.523 December 1941
HMAS Katoomba (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430345.517 December 1941
HMAS Kiama (I) Australian Minesweeper (AMS) 2431115.526 January 1944
HMAS Koala (I) A315 Boom Working Vessel 2429666.57 February 1940
HMAS Kookaburra (I) A331 Modified Net Class Boom Defence Vessel 2429322.528 February 1939
HMAS Koompartoo Z256 Harbour Ferry converted to Boom Gate Vessel 2430716.523 December 1942
HMAS Koopa KP Depot Ship (Combined Operations Training) and later Mother Ship for Fairmile Motor Launches 2430616.514 September 1942
HMAS Kuru Wooden motor vessel 2430336.58 December 1941
HMAS Kurumba Oil Tanker (Royal Australian Fleet Auxiliary)
HMAS Lachlan River Class Frigate 2431500.514 February 1945
HMAS Larrakia (I) Patrol Vessel (Air-Sea Rescue Launch) 2430336.58 December 1941
HMAS Latrobe Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430669.56 November 1942
HMAS Launceston (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430458.59 April 1942
HMAS Launceston (II) FCPB 207 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2445029.51 March 1982 2453986.58 September 2006
HMAS Lismore Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430018.524 January 1941
HMAS Lithgow Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430159.514 June 1941
HMAS ML 814 ML 814 Fairmile 'B' Type Motor Launch 2430725.51 January 1943
HMAS Macquarie River Class Frigate 2431796.57 December 1945
HMAS Manoora (I) Armed Merchant Cruiser / Landing Ship Infantry 2429609.512 December 1939
HMAS Manoora (II) L 52 Kanimbla Class Amphibious Warfare 2449681.525 November 1994 2455708.527 May 2011
HMAS Marguerite T51 later T60 Flower Class Minesweeping Sloop
HMAS Maryborough (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430157.512 June 1941
HMAS Matafele Stores Carrier 2430725.51 January 1943
HMAS Melbourne (I) Light Cruiser 2419785.518 January 1913
HMAS Melbourne (II) R21 Modified Majestic Class Light Fleet Aircraft Carrier 2435408.528 October 1955
HMAS Mildura (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430198.523 July 1941
HMAS Moresby (I) 24 Class Survey Sloop 2424321.520 June 1925
HMAS Murchison Modified River (Bay) Class Frigate 2431806.517 December 1945
HMAS Napier 'N' Class Destroyer 2429961.528 November 1940
HMAS Nepal 'N' Class Destroyer 2430490.511 May 1942
HMAS Nestor N' Class Destroyer 2430028.53 February 1941
HMAS Nizam 'N' Class Destroyer 2429982.519 December 1940
HMAS Norman (I) 'N' Class Destroyer 2430252.515 September 1941
HMAS Otway (I) Odin Class Submarine 2424971.51 April 1927
HMAS Ovens S70 Oberon Class submarine 2440329.518 April 1969
HMAS Oxley (I) Odin Class Submarine 2424971.51 April 1927
HMAS Oxley (II) Oberon Class diesel-electric patrol submarine 2439598.518 April 1967
HMAS Paluma (I) Gunboat (steel twin screw) 2409176.51884
HMAS Parkes (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2431235.525 May 1944
HMAS Parramatta (I) River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer 2418924.510 September 1910
HMAS Parramatta (II) Sloop 2429727.58 April 1940
HMAS Parramatta (III) River Class Destroyer Escort 2437484.54 July 1961
HMAS Patricia Cam Fishing vessel 2430421.53 March 1942
HMAS Penguin (I) Wild Swan Class Sloop (barque rigged) 2419949.51 July 1913
HMAS Perth (I) Light Cruiser Modified 'Leander' Class 2428334.515 June 1936
HMAS Perth (II) Charles F. Adams (Modified Perth) class guided missile destroyer 2438958.517 July 1965
HMAS Pioneer Pelorus Class Light Cruiser (3rd Class Protected Cruiser) 2419827.51 March 1913
HMAS Pirie (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430642.510 October 1942
HMAS Platypus (I) Submarine Depot Ship 2422042.525 March 1919
HMAS Protector (I) Light Cruiser 2409346.519 June 1884
HMAS Psyche Pelorus Class Light Cruiser (3rd Class Protected Cruiser) 2420557.51 March 1915 2421678.526 March 1918
HMAS Quadrant Q Class Destroyer / Anti-submarine Frigate 2430689.526 November 1942
HMAS Quality Q Class Destroyer 2430609.57 September 1942
HMAS Queenborough Q Class Destroyer / Anti-submarine Frigate 2431757.529 October 1945
HMAS Quiberon Q Class Destroyer / Anti-submarine Frigate 2430546.56 July 1942
HMAS Quickmatch Q Class Destroyer / Anti-submarine Frigate 2430616.514 September 1942
HMAS Rockhampton Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430380.521 January 1942
HMAS SDB 1323 Motor Launch (Seaward Defence Boat) 2431110.521 January 1944
HMAS Shepparton (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430756.51 February 1943
HMAS Shoalhaven (I) Modified River (Bay) Class Frigate 2431942.52 May 1946
HMAS Shropshire (I) County Class Heavy Cruiser 2425878.524 September 1929
HMAS Snipe M1102 Ton Class Minesweeper 2437918.511 September 1962
HMAS Sprightly Salvage Tug 2431143.523 February 1944
HMAS Stalwart (II) D215 Destroyer Tender 2439895.59 February 1968 2447959.59 March 1990
HMAS Stawell (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430943.57 August 1943
HMAS Strahan Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2431163.514 March 1944
HMAS Stuart (I) Scott Class Destroyer (Flotilla Leader) 2421948.521 December 1918
HMAS Swan (I) River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer 2421091.516 August 1916
HMAS Swan (II) Grimsby Class Sloop 2428554.521 January 1937
HMAS Swan (III) 50 River Class Destroyer Escort 2440606.520 January 1970
HMAS Sydney (I) Chatham Class Light Cruiser 2419944.526 June 1913
HMAS Sydney (II) Modified Leander Class Light Cruiser 2428069.524 September 1935
HMAS Sydney (III) Majestic Class Aircraft Carrier / Fast Troop Transport 2432901.516 December 1948
HMAS Tamworth Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430579.58 August 1942
HMAS Tarakan (I) Landing Ship Tank (Mark 3) 2432005.54 July 1946
HMAS Teal M1152 Ton Class Minesweeper 2437906.530 August 1962
HMAS Terka TA later TR Auxiliary Minesweeper 2430025.531 January 1941
HMAS Three Cheers Trawler
HMAS Tingira: (ex-Sobroan) Training ship 2419517.525 April 1912
HMAS Tobruk (I) Battle Class Destroyer 2433409.58 May 1950
HMAS Toowoomba (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430276.59 October 1941
HMAS Torrens (I) River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer 2421047.53 July 1916
HMAS Townsville FCPB 205 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2444803.518 July 1981 2454231.511 May 2007
HMAS Townsville (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430347.519 December 1941
HMAS Vampire (I) V & W Class Destroyer 2427356.511 October 1933
HMAS Vampire (II) Daring Class Destroyer 2436742.523 June 1959
HMAS Vendetta (I) V & W Class Destroyer 2427356.511 October 1933
HMAS Vendetta (II) 08 Daring Class Destroyer 2436533.526 November 1958
HMAS Vengeance Colossus Class Aircraft Carrier 2434329.513 November 1952
HMAS Voyager (I) V & W Class Destroyer 2427356.511 October 1933
HMAS Voyager (II) D04 Daring Class Destroyer 2435881.512 February 1957
HMAS Wagga Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430711.518 December 1942
HMAS Wallaroo (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430555.515 July 1942
HMAS Waree Tug
HMAS Warramunga (I) Improved Tribal Class Destroyer 2430686.523 November 1942
HMAS Warreen Survey Vessel (later General Purpose Vessel) 2430654.522 October 1942
HMAS Warrego (I) River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer 2419554.51 June 1912
HMAS Warrego (II) Grimsby Class Sloop 2429863.522 August 1940
HMAS Warrnambool (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430260.523 September 1941
HMAS Waterhen (I) V & W Class Destroyer 2427356.511 October 1933
HMAS Wato Tug 2430125.511 May 1941 2431771.512 November 1945
HMAS Westralia (I) Armed Merchant Cruiser / Landing Ship Infantry 2429645.517 January 1940
HMAS Westralia (II) O 195 later AO 195 Underway Replenishment Ship 2447808.59 October 1989 2453994.516 September 2006
HMAS Whyalla (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430367.58 January 1942
HMAS Wollongong (I) Australian Minesweeper (Bathurst Class) 2430290.523 October 1941
HMAS Wollongong (II) FCPB 211 Fremantle Class Patrol Boat 2444936.528 November 1981 2453777.511 February 2006
HMAS Wyatt Earp Antarctic Exploration Vessel 2432506.517 November 1947
HMAS Yandra FY 91 Requisitioned Patrol Craft
HMAS Yarra (I) River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer 2418924.510 September 1910
HMAS Yarra (II) Grimsby Class Sloop 2428188.521 January 1936
HMAS Yarra (III) River Class Destroyer Escort 2437507.527 July 1961 2446391.522 November 1985
Retrieved from "http://www.navy.gov.au/Ship_Histories"
Leading Seaman (LS) Electronics Technician Syed Hamdan conducts power check on a circuit board in...

Leading Seaman (LS) Electronics Technician Syed Hamdan conducts power check on a circuit board in...