HMAS Benalla (J323)
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HMAS Benalla (J323/M323), named for the city of Benalla, Victoria, was one of 60 Bathurst-class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).[3] Built by HMA Naval Dockyard in Victoria, Benalla was fitted out as armed survey ship instead of a minesweeper like the rest of the class, and was commissioned into the RAN in 1943.
HMAS Benalla shortly after she was commissioned. A gun shield was later fitted to her 4-inch gun. | |
History | |
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Australia | |
Namesake | City of Benalla, Victoria |
Builder | HMA Naval Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria |
Laid down | 24 March 1942 |
Launched | 19 December 1942 |
Commissioned | 27 April 1943 |
Decommissioned | 28 January 1946 |
Motto | "We Lead Others Follow" |
Honours and awards |
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Fate | Sold for scrap on 20 February 1958 |
Badge | |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Bathurst-class corvette |
Displacement | 650 tons (standard), 1,025 tons (full war load) |
Length | 186 ft (57 m) |
Beam | 31 ft (9.4 m) |
Draught | 8.5 ft (2.6 m) |
Propulsion | triple expansion engine, 2 shafts |
Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) at 1,750 hp |
Complement | 107 |
Armament |
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Benalla's duties included convoy escort and performing hydrological surveys prior to amphibious landing operations. The corvette was present at the Japanese surrender of Timor at the end of the war. Post-war, Benalla performed survey work around north-west Australia until late 1945. She was decommissioned in 1946, and sold for scrapping in 1958.