With our thanks to Allan Marshall for allowing us to publish his photos
Part of the Bathurst-class, succeeded by Ton-class minesweepers, laid down by HMA Naval Dockyard, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia on 17 February 1941, launched on 7 August 1941, commissioned on 17 June 1942, decommissioned on 14 December 1945 and since 1973 a museum ship at Williamstown. Designed as a ‘local defence vessel’ which was fitted out for anti-submarine, escort and minewarfare duties, called Australian minesweepers but mostly referred to as corvettes. There were totally 60 vessels completed serving in several navies worldwide (Turkey, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, China and Pakistan. The Royal Netherlands Navy possessed 8 of which 4 were sold in 1949 to Indonesia. In Dutch service referred to as Batjan-class or as Ambon-class classified as corvettes and minesweepers, on 15 July 1952 even as frigate: Hr.Ms. Batjan ex-Lismore, Ambon ex-Cairns, the Indonesian KRI Banteng, Banda ex-Wollongoong, the Indonesian Radjawali, Boeroe ex-Toowoomba, Ceran ex-Burnie, Morotai ex-Ipswich, the Indonesian Hang Tuah, Ternate ex-Kalgoorlie and the Tidore ex-Tamworth the Indonesian Pati Unis.
General class specifications: displacement 650 (standard)-1,025 (full war load) tons and as dimensions 57 x 9.4 x 2.6 metres or 816 x31 x 8.5 feet. The triple expansion steam engine supplied via 2 shafts 2,000 hp allowing a speed of 15.5 knots. Their crew numbered 85 men. The armament consisted of 1-10.2cm4” quick firing gun, 3-2cm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns, 2-12.7mm/0.5” machine guns, depth charges chutes and throwers.
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