HMAS Doomba
Building
The ship was built for the RN as the Hunt-class minesweeper HMS Wexford. She was constructed by William Simons & Co at their shipyard in Renfrew, Scotland, launched in 1919, and commissioned later that year.
Operational history
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/StateLibQld_1_14390_Passenger_ferry_S.S._Doomba.jpg/220px-StateLibQld_1_14390_Passenger_ferry_S.S._Doomba.jpg)
The minehunter was decommissioned from the RN in 1921 and sold to the Doomba Shipping Company. After being converted to a passenger ship and renamed Doomba, she entered mercantile service in 1923, and was used to carry tourists between Brisbane and Bribie Island. In this role, she could carry 1,500 passengers, and was also used as a flagship for regattas.
The RAN requisitioned Doomba won 4 September 1939 and purchased in June 1940. In her service with the RAN, Doomba was first used as an auxiliary mine sweeper and later an auxiliary anti-submarine vessel. Her service during World War II earned the ship a battle honour: "Pacific 1941–43".
She was decommissioned from the RAN on 13 March 1946 and sold on 3 February 1947. She was converted to a linseed oil lighter in 1947 and renamed Meggol.
Fate
On 9 December 1976, Meggol was scuttled off Dee Why, New South Wales. 33°42′58″S 151°20′50″E / 33.716083°S 151.347217°E
References
- ^ Straczek, J.H. (1996). The Royal Australian Navy. Ships, Aircraft and Shore Establishments. Sydney: Navy Public Affairs – Sydney. ISBN 1-876043-78-4.
- ^ Lind, L.J (31 December 1973). "The Four Lives of HMS Wexford". Naval Historical Society of Australia. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ^ O'Malley, Brendan (13 January 2009). "Luxury was a Moreton Bay outing on the Doomba". Courier Mail. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ^ "Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours". Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours" (PDF). Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Australian Naval History on 09 December 1976". Naval Historical Society of Australia. 9 December 1976. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
Media related to Doomba (ship, 1919) at Wikimedia Commons