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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
MINE WARFARE SHIPS
BATHURST minesweepers (1940 - 1944)
Photo
Gympie 1946
Ships
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate | Modification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ararat (RAN) | K34, 1948- M34 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 7.1942 | 20.2.1943 | 6.1943 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Armidale (RAN) | J240 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 9.1941 | 24.1.1942 | 6.1942 | sunk 1.12.1942 | Australian-built | |
| Ballarat (RAN) | J184 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 4.1940 | 10.12.1940 | 8.1941 | sold 7.1947 | Australian-built | |
| Bathurst (RAN) | J158 | 146 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 2.1940 | 1.8.1940 | 12.1940 | sold 6.1948 | Australian-built |
| Benalla (RAN) | J323, 1948- M323 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 3.1942 | 19.12.1942 | 4.1943 | sold 2.1958 | Australian-built | |
| Bendigo (RAN) | J187 | 150 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 8.1940 | 1.3.1941 | 5.1941 | sold 5.1947, later purchased by China (洛阳 [Loyang]) | Australian-built |
| Bengal (RIM) | J243 | 156 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 12.1941 | 28.5.1942 | 8.1942 | sold 1967 | Australian-built |
| Bombay (RIM) | J249 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 7.1941 | 6.12.1941 | 4.1942 | sold 1962 | Australian-built | |
| Bowen (RAN) | J285, 1948- M285 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 2.1942 | 11.7.1942 | 11.1942 | sold 5.1956 | Australian-built | |
| Broome (RAN) | J191 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 5.1941 | 6.10.1941 | 7.1942 | to Turkey 8.1946 (Alanya) | Australian-built | |
| Bunbury (RAN) | J241, 1948- M241 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 11.1941 | 16.5.1942 | 1.1943 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Bundaberg (RAN) | J231, 1948- M231 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 6.1941 | 1.12.1941 | 9.1942 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Burnie (RAN) | J198 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 6.1940 | 25.10.1940 | 4.1941 | to Netherlands 7.1946 (Ceram) | Australian-built | |
| Cairns (RAN) | J183 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 3.1941 | 5.7.1941 | 5.1942 | to Netherlands 1.1946 (Ambon) | Australian-built | |
| Castlemaine (ex-Castle Harbour) (RAN) | J244, 1948- M244 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 2.1941 | 7.8.1941 | 7.1942 | hulk 1956, preserved 1974 | Australian-built | |
| Cessnock (RAN) | J175 | 153 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 4.1941 | 17.10.1941 | 1.1942 | sold 4.1947 | Australian-built |
| Colac (RAN) | J242, 1948- M05 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 4.1941 | 30.8.1941 | 1.1942 | tank cleaning vessel 1962 | Australian-built | |
| Cootamundra (RAN) | J316, 1948- M186 | Poole & Steel, Sydney, Australia | 2.1942 | 3.12.1942 | 4.1943 | sold 9.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Cowra (RAN) | J351, 1948- M351 | Poole & Steel, Sydney, Australia | 8.1942 | 27.5.1943 | 10.1943 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Deloraine (RAN) | J232, 1948- M252 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 3.1941 | 26.7.1941 | 11.1941 | sold 8.1956 | Australian-built | |
| Dubbo (RAN) | J251, 1948- M251 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 10.1941 | 7.3.1942 | 7.1942 | sold 2.1958 | Australian-built | |
| Echuca (RAN) | J252, 1948- M252 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 2.1941 | 17.1.1942 | 9.1942 | to New Zealand 6.1952 (Echuca) | Australian-built | |
| Fremantle (RAN) | J246, 1948- M246 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 2.1942 | 18.8.1942 | 3.1943 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Gawler (ex-Gambier) (RAN) | J188 | Broken Hill, Whyalla, Australia | 1.1941 | 4.10.1941 | 8.1942 | to Turkey 8.1946 (Ayvalık) | Australian-built | |
| Geelong (RAN) | J201 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 10.1940 | 22.4.1941 | 1.1942 | collision 18.10.1944 | Australian-built | |
| Geraldton (RAN) | J178 | Poole & Steel, Sydney, Australia | 3.1941 | 16.8.1941 | 4.1942 | to Turkey 8.1946 (Antalya) | Australian-built | |
| Gladstone (RAN) | J324, 1948- M324 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 8.1942 | 26.11.1942 | 3.1943 | sold 6.1956 | Australian-built | |
| Glenelg (RAN) | J236, 1948- M236 | 157 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 3.1942 | 25.9.1942 | 11.1942 | sold 5.1957 | Australian-built |
| Goulburn (RAN) | J167 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 7.1940 | 16.11.1940 | 2.1941 | sold 10.1947 | Australian-built | |
| Gympie (RAN) | J238, 1948- M238 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 8.1941 | 30.1.1942 | 11.1942 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Horsham (RAN) | J235, 1948- M235 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 6.1941 | 23.5.1942 | 11.1942 | sold 8.1956 | Australian-built | |
| Inverell (RAN) | J233, 1948- M233 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 12.1941 | 2.5.1942 | 9.1942 | to New Zealand 4.1952 (Inverell) | Australian-built | |
| Ipswich (RAN) | J186 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 3.1941 | 11.8.1941 | 6.1942 | to Netherlands 7.1946 (Morotai) | Australian-built | |
| Junee (RAN) | J362, 1948- M362 | Poole & Steel, Sydney, Australia | 2.1943 | 16.11.1943 | 4.1944 | sold 6.1958 | Australian-built | |
| Kalgoorlie (RAN) | J192 | Broken Hill, Whyalla, Australia | 7.1940 | 7.8.1941 | 4.1942 | to Netherlands 8.1946 (Ternate) | Australian-built | |
| Kapunda (RAN) | J218, 1948- M218 | Poole & Steel, Sydney, Australia | 8.1941 | 23.6.1942 | 10.1942 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Katoomba (RAN) | J204 | Poole & Steel, Sydney, Australia | 9.1940 | 16.4.1941 | 12.1941 | sold 5.1957 | Australian-built | |
| Kiama (RAN) | J353, 1948- M353 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 11.1942 | 9.7.1943 | 1.1944 | to New Zealand 5.1952 (Kiama) | Australian-built | |
| Latrobe (RAN) | J234, 1948- M234 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 1.1942 | 19.6.1942 | 11.1942 | sold 5.1956 | Australian-built | |
| Launceston (RAN) | J179 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 12.1940 | 30.6.1941 | 4.1942 | to Turkey 8.1946 (Hamit Nacı) | Australian-built | |
| Lismore (RAN) | J145 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 3.1940 | 10.8.1940 | 1.1941 | to Netherlands 7.1946 (Batjan) | Australian-built | |
| Lithgow (RAN) | J206, 1948- M206 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 8.1940 | 21.12.1940 | 6.1941 | sold 8.1956 | Australian-built | |
| Madras (RIM) | J237 | 155 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 8.1941 | 17.2.1942 | 5.1942 | sold 1962 | Australian-built |
| Maryborough (RAN) | J195 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 4.1940 | 17.10.1940 | 6.1941 | sold 5.1947 | Australian-built | |
| Mildura (RAN) | J207, 1948- M207 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 9.1940 | 14.3.1941 | 7.1941 | sold 9.1965 | Australian-built | |
| Parkes (RAN) | J361, 1948- M361 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 3.1943 | 30.10.1943 | 5.1944 | sold 5.1957 | Australian-built | |
| Pirie (RAN) | J189 | Broken Hill, Whyalla, Australia | 5.1941 | 3.12.1941 | 10.1942 | to Turkey 8.1946 (Amasra) | Australian-built | |
| Punjab (RIM) | J239 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 5.1941 | 10.10.1941 | 3.1942 | sold 1949 | Australian-built | |
| Rockhampton (RAN) | J203, 1948- M203 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 11.1940 | 26.6.1941 | 2.1942 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Shepparton (RAN) | J248, 1948- M246 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 11.1941 | 15.8.1942 | 2.1943 | sold 2.1958 | Australian-built | |
| Stawell (RAN) | J348, 1948- M348 | Williamstown DYd, Australia | 6.1942 | 3.4.1943 | 8.1943 | to New Zealand 5.1952 (Stawell) | Australian-built | |
| Strahan (RAN) | J363, 1948- M363 | Newcastle DYd, Australia | 11.1942 | 12.7.1943 | 3.1944 | sold 1.1961 | Australian-built | |
| Tamworth (RAN) | J181 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 8.1941 | 14.3.1942 | 8.1942 | to Netherlands 4.1946 (Tamworth) | Australian-built | |
| Toowoomba (RAN) | J157 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 8.1940 | 26.3.1941 | 10.1941 | to Netherlands 7.1946 (Boeroe) | Australian-built | |
| Townsville (RAN) | J205, 1948- M205 | Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia | 11.1940 | 13.5.1941 | 12.1941 | sold 8.1956 | Australian-built | |
| Wagga (RAN) | J315, 1948- M183 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 3.1942 | 25.7.1942 | 12.1942 | sold 3.1962 | Australian-built | |
| Wallaroo (RAN) | J222 | Poole & Steel, Sydney, Australia | 4.1941 | 18.2.1942 | 7.1942 | collision 20.6.1943 | Australian-built | |
| Warrnambool (RAN) | J202 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 11.1940 | 8.5.1941 | 9.1941 | sunk 13.9.1947 | Australian-built | |
| Whyalla (ex-Glenelg) (RAN) | J153 | Broken Hill, Whyalla, Australia | 7.1940 | 12.5.1941 | 1.1942 | sold 5.1947 | Australian-built | |
| Wollongong (RAN) | J172 | 152 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 1.1941 | 5.7.1941 | 10.1941 | to Netherlands 2.1946 (Banda) | Australian-built |
| Assam (RIM) | Garden Reach, Ranchi, India | --- | --- | cancelled | Indian-built | |||
| Gondwhana (RIM) | Garden Reach, Ranchi, India | --- | --- | cancelled | Indian-built | |||
| Sind (RIM) | Garden Reach, Ranchi, India | --- | --- | cancelled | Indian-built |
Technical data
| Displacement standard, t | 650 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | 790 |
| Length, m | 56.7 |
| Breadth, m | 9.50 |
| Draught, m | 3.00 deep load |
| No of shafts | 2 |
| Machinery | 2 VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers |
| Power, h. p. | 1550 - 2000 |
| Max speed, kts | 15 - 16 |
| Fuel, t | oil 124 - 153 |
| Armament | 1 x 1 - 102/45 BL Mk IX or 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XIX, (1 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII or 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk I/III, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV) or 3 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (12 - 40 or up to 82 in ASW role), mechanical minesweeping gear earlier Australian-built and Indian-built: 1 x 1 - 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I/II/V, (1 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII or 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk I/III, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV) or 3 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (12 - 40 or up to 82 in ASW role), mechanical minesweeping gear later Australian-built: 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, (1 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII or 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk I/III, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV) or 3 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (12 - 40 or up to 82 in ASW role), mechanical minesweeping gear |
| Electronic equipment | completed 1940-1943: type 128 sonar completed 1943-1944: type 271, SC radars, type 128 sonar |
| Complement | 80 - 90 |
Standard scale images
Bendigo 1941
Graphics
Gympie 1946
Bunbury 1946
Project history
Design of Bathurst class was created in Australia on the basis of Bangor with VTE. At the expense of hull beam increase approximately on 0.7m it was possible to fix the basic lack of a prototype: insufficient stability. Australian ships were better adapted for escort service and often unofficially rated as corvettes. At the same time it was not possible to place the additional equipment for work with acoustic and magnetic minesweeping gear, as well as Bangor class, they were of little use for newest mines countermeasures. In total Australian yards built 59 ships of this class, including 4 for the RIM. From remained 55 ships 20 were built by British order, but they were also a part of the Australian Navy.
In process of class building some changes were made to the design. Earlier ships had 76mm AA or 102mm single-purpose gun and 1 40mm pompom, later ships had 102mm AA gun and sometimes one 40mm Bofors. Machinery was also improved: engine power increased from 1750 to 2000hp, and fuel stowage from 124 to 153t.
Modernizations
1943-1944, many earlier ships: + type 271 (mostly), SC (some) radars
Naval service
Armidale was sunk by Japanese aircraft (torpedo) 1.12.1942 off Timor. Wallaroo was lost 18.6.1943 as a result of collision with s/s Gilbert Costin off Fremantle. Geelong was lost 18.10.1944 as a result of collision with s/s York between Australia and New Guinea. Castlemaine was preserved as memorial at Williamstown.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
