. and subsequently had been unable to replenish due to the lack Hoisting the flags presented by Mayoress and Ladies of Richmond, Victoria, to the Commonwealth Destroyer Yarra. What hotels are near HMAS Yarra II Memorial? Five hundred kilometres off the coast of Java and just four days from home soil, it was leading three merchant ships when it was confronted at sunrise by a Japanese squadron. On return to Australia, local area exercises and training occupied the remainder of the year. The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Her Report of Proceedings for July stated 27 July was the 21st Anniversary of commissioning of Yarra (III) by Lady McBride at Williamstown Dockyard in 1961. The hull is shaped from a composite of wooden sections, with a pair of low wooden funnels. Ledgers often include individual crew lists for each vessel. Based on Singapore and Sandakan (Borneo) Yarra(I) served on the Far East Patrol until 8 May 1916 when she departed Sandakan to return to Australia. Following a period of self maintenance and final deployment preparations, Yarra departed Sydney in September 1967 on a six month deployment to the Far East Station. Prevost, RN) and HMAS Yarra (Lt.Cdr. on the morning of 4th March 1942, when flashes were observed Yarra departing Pearl Harbor to participate in the first RIMPAC exercise. After several months of local area exercises Yarra departed Sydney for Hawaii in October 1971 to participate in the first of the RIMPAC exercises (RIMPAC 71). Visible. Seven Australian Corvettes had escaped the net, and with luck that they had been overtaken by Kondo's Squadron of three Cruisers Yarra(I) was present at the formal surrender of German New Guinea to the Australian forces at Rabaul on 13 September 1914. July 1974 saw Yarra at Williamstown Dockyard to be fitted with Mulloka sonar. 0000001856 00000 n To fight and win . Harrington, DSO., whilst alongside Of the 151 crew members, only 13 survived after spending five days in a life raft. Young offenders are 'running amok' in Alice Springs. Escort duty for HMAS Sydney (III) to Vietnam and participation in Exercise FEBEX off Singapore in February 1971 followed. HMAS Yarra, named for the Yarra River, was a River-class torpedo-boat destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). By On returning On 28 December 1918 she departed Ismid in company of Huon(I), Swan(I) and Parramatta(I), to proceed to Malta and thence to Plymouth where she arrived on 8 January 1919. (full load): 47,754tnes (47,000t), Guns: 92% of travelers recommend this experience. The National Archives holds these in Canberra in the record series A4624. Accession Number: 301768 Persian Gulf, August 1941. During the opening phases of World War I, Yarra(I) operated with the fleet (Vince Admiral Sir George E Patey) in the search for and as a counter to Admiral von Spee's Pacific Squadron. We pay our respects to elders past and present. On February 5, 1942, the crew of the Yarra rescued 1,804 troops from a carrier under attack from the Japanese just outside Singapore harbour. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. The Australian destroyers commenced Adriatic Patrol duty in mid-October 1917. the Ship Data and Specifications below Ship As a result Commander AGH Bond RN, who had succeeded Commander Warren (he had drowned in Brindisi Harbour) commanded the flotilla for personnel, pay, medical treatment and 'good organisation and conduct of the vessels' only. Yarra was also involved in the search for five missing junior officers from HMAS Sydney(III) in the Whitsunday Passage during October 1963 when a whaler on a training exercise was lost. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging. The Yarra, whose main armanent was three 4-inch guns, was outgunned by the Japanee fleet. at Batavia. Two descendants of the two commanders who led HMAS Yarra into the two battles noted on the citation were also present at the ceremony. HMAS Yarra (D79), a River-class torpedo boat destroyer commissioned into the Australian Commonwealth Naval Forces in 1910, transferred to the RAN on its foundation in 1911, operated until 1929, and scuttled. [1] 0000218830 00000 n 104 0 obj <>stream 301768, Persian Gulf, August 1941. 0000001710 00000 n I visited this little memorial to a gallant ship of the Royal Australian Navy. This 1:48 scale (1/4 inch to the foot) scale model of HMAS Yarra was commissioned by the Australian War Memorial in 1949 as part of its ongoing programme (interrupted during the Second World War) to represent each class of ship used by the Royal Australian Navy during the First World War. On 9th March the Dutch submarine K11 surfaced to recharge her batteries and to the Dutch crew's surprise were less than thirty feet from YARRA'S Carley floats. HMAS Hobart (D 39) was a Perth class guided missile destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The first half of 1969 was taken up with a refit at Williamstown, with sea trials and local area exercises occupying the period of July to October. actions. In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony. She was commissioned as HMS Yarra at Greenock on 10 September 1910 under the command of Lieutenant TW Biddlecombe CNF and departed Portsmouth on 19 September 1910 as a Royal Navy ship for the voyage to Australia, and proceeding via Suez in company with her sister ship Parramatta(I) and escorted by HMS Gibraltar, arrived at Broome, Western Australia, on 15 November, where the two destroyers passed to the control of the Australian Government. by this website which may effect your viewing experience. There had been 20 Commanding Officers of which 10 were still serving in the RAN. Post refit trials and a visit to New Zealand for Exercise AUCKEX 72 completed the year. The opposing 30 eight inch guns of the Japanese soon found HMAS Yarra IV is the sixth of six Huon-class minehunters built in Newcastle, NSW. The series ranges from 1912 to 1956. Data - HMAS Yarra - Grimsby Class Sloop, Displacement On this work it was the destroyers' responsibility, in cooperation with British and French destroyers, to prevent the passage of enemy submarines through the Adriatic Narrows into the Mediterranean and to give safe transit to the passage of Italian transports to and from Albania. The convoy to active duty she formed part of the defence of the Marianas. of them being possible signals was soon dispelled by the thundering The sloop Yarra II was built in Sydney and met its end in what today we would call Indonesia in 1942.. As a convoy escort Yarra II, armed with three 4 inch guns confronted a Japanese heavy cruiser squadron armed with 10 8 inch guns; Yarra II was out-ranged, out-guinned and slower than the Japanese squadron. Transferred to the After delivering a detailed account of the bravery and courageous deeds of the crew of Yarra II in her gallant last stand, Captain Morthorpe proudly repeated the ships mottoHunt and strike. An image that enlarges well, it was uploaded on Wikipedia Commons by 'Bukvoed.' In searching some VAMPIRE and Daring Class details, we happened upon a nominal crew list for VAMPIRE at the time of her Jan. 25-29, 1962 visit to Saigon, assembled by the Department of Veteran's Affairs, There is a similar list on the webpage for crew of HMAS QUICKMATCH, which was there with her. HMAS Yarra (III) was one of six Modified Type 12 frigates built in Australia between 1957 and 1971. his new command, he called for full power, turned back HMAS Yarra(I) was one of six River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyers built for the Royal Australian Navy during the period 1909-16. The first YARRA was a River class torpedo boat destroyer commissioned into the Australian Commonwealth Naval Forces in 1910 and transferred to the RAN in 1911. Displacing 1,080 tons, she was 81.1 metres long with a beam of 11 metres. It is the first unit citation awarded to the Navy and comes after years of lobbying from many of the crew's relatives. galleries are progressively closed from 4 pm. More photos can be viewed on the Defence image gallery. 0000003284 00000 n Exercises in the Singapore area and visits to Thailand and Indonesia completed the deployment. Visits to Balikpapan, Manila, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Surabaya followed before participation in Exercise SANDGROPER 84 off Western Australia. Mr Taylor says survivors have told him it was because of his great uncle's actions they were able to escape. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. After her sea trials and workup, Yarra transferred to the operational and administrative command of the Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet on 1 November 1961 and became a member of the 2nd Division, 1st Frigate Squadron. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. She was armed with three 4-inch anti aircraft guns, four 3-pounder guns, a quadruple .5-inch anti aircraft machine-gun, and depth charges. the 'abandon ship' he sent them aft to save themselves. "Growing up without a father was not the easiest thing in the world," Ms Shirley said. The Squadron Leader Ruth Sagrott has seen firsthand the impact of losing loved ones to cancer, which inspired her to coordinate a team for the 2023 Relay. 0000082836 00000 n Yarra's initial war service was in Australian waters, on patrol and escort duties. Now, with the range Not all ledgers for 1950 to 1956 are individually listed on RecordSearch. Serving Valiantly with the allies, many of the commonwealth navies are often overlooked. Because he was working in a commonly used naval modelling scale, Walker could have used these accessories, but found their cost higher than he expected. Mrs Moore, wife of the Premier of Western Australia. She was launched by Lady McBride, wife of the Minister for Defence on 30 September 1958 and commissioned on 27 July 1961 under the command of Commander James Merson, RAN. Lieutenant Commander Jason Dawson, Commanding Officer of the current HMAS YarraIV, along with his crew, were originally scheduled to join us here today, and I am sure everyone will understand when I explain they have just sailed to support those in greater need on Operation Flood Assist, Captain Morthorpe said. Yarra arrived in Sydney in late November for a leave and self maintenance period. Armament: Ordered in 1909 for the Commonwealth Naval Forces (the predecessor of the RAN), Yarra was temporarily commissioned into the Royal Navy on completion in 1910 and handed over to Australian control on arrival in Australia. [6] The destroyer was placed into reserve then recommission on five occasions between 1919 and 1928, with most of her operations facilitating the training of naval reservists. Some of the Patricia Sibley travelled from Brisbane to see her father George Lloyd honoured. his ship had no chance of surviving ordered his guns crews 0000015401 00000 n 0000027211 00000 n bound for Australia. out of action the order "Abandon Ship!" Cant, RAN) and the sloops HMAS Swan (Lt.Cdr. We pay our respects to elders past and present. One of those instrumental in fighting for the recognition is Garry Taylor, whose great uncle was a gunner on the ship. HMAS Yarras decomissioning ships company, 1985. The Yarra was struck by shells, badly damaged and set on fire, but the crew continued to fight on. "But that never eventuated and today's sort of closure of it all.". [1], During the early stages of World War I, Parramatta operated with the Australian fleet in the search for the German East Asia Squadron, then was involved in the capture of German colonies in the South Pacific region, including German New Guinea, and the consolidation of Allied occupation in these regions. The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. [4] Yarra was laid down by William Denny and Brothers, at their shipyard in Dumbarton. You can also find information on crew members to the rank of Petty Officer by checking punishment returns for 1912 to 1959, series A7111. HMAS Yarra (U77), a Grimsby-class sloop commissioned in 1936 and was lost on 4 March 1942 while defending a convoy from seven Japanese . had at least gained a little time for the convoy to increase Some of her complement, along with sailors from Parramatta(I), were landed at Kabakaul (New Britain) to take part in operations ashore against the German forces. HMAS Yarra (III), with HMAS Darwin, entering Sydney Harbour for the last time on 8 November 1985. Most of the crew members were killed when it came under attack from the Japanese just outside Singapore harbour on Feb 5, 1942. During World War I they formed the Australian Destroyer Flotilla. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died. There CMDR Harrington took passage on the troopship [1] Later in Yarra's career, the destroyer was fitted with four chutes and two throwers for depth charges, and one of the torpedo tubes was removed. very little water as they drifted, burning by day and freezing battle for Guadalcanal her gunfire inflicted heavy damage on 0000071832 00000 n Ask us a question about records in our collection. The Australian War Memorial also holds relevant information. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. 0000218953 00000 n Navy personnel recently commemorated the 80th anniversary of one of the darkest periods of WWII. This is reflected in the title for each volume, for example, 'HMAS Rushcutter, quarter ended 30/6/1941'. The ledger is recorded under the name of the parent vessel or shore base. sound of a large calibre shell passing overhead. 0000095612 00000 n Harrington, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. The forward deck is fitted with a jackstaff, handmade brass anchors, chains and capstans; a handmade metal and brass 4-inch QF gun with shield is mounted on a raised circular wooden platform forward of the bridge. She reached Australia in November 1910, in the company of her sister ship HMAS Parramatta. The model maker chosen to undertake the construction was John B. Walker, of Seaford, Victoria, who had worked with the Ship Construction Branch of the Navy Office during the Second World War, and already had a reputation as a very competent modeller. A total of 138 of her company were lost, including her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert Rankin. 0000507207 00000 n [2] Yarra and Parramatta sailed from Portsmouth on 19 September. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, Yarra took part in operations against the German Pacific colonies, including patrol operations in New Guinea waters in company with HMA ships Parramatta and Warrego. As a child I used to dream he might have been lost on an island somewhere and someone would rescue him and bring him home. Logs include information on: Most records about crew and ships are available for public access. hits in the sick bay, engine room and the bridge. Their Australian built sister ships Huon(I), Torrens(I) and Swan(I), then serving on the Far East Patrol, were ordered to refit at Singapore. 0000266274 00000 n Once again Yarra was almost exclusively used for Mulloka trials during 1978 and 1979, these trials being interspersed with Australian and New Zealand port visits. Arrival of the Royal Australian Fleet Programme. [2], The destroyer's main armament consisted of a single BL 4-inch Mark VIII naval gun, supplemented by three QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval guns. Even so, difficulties were encountered with sourcing accurate plans for the depth charges and throwers, installed at Malta in 1917 on the stern deck. HMAS Yarra (III) HMAS Yarra (III) was one of six Modified Type 12 frigates built in Australia between 1957 and 1971. Her sister ships were HMA Ships Parramatta (III), Derwent, Stuart (II), Swan (III) and Torrens (II). (normal): 41,878tnes (41,217t), Displacement The This memorial is simple but effective. [2] The destroyer's name comes from the Yarra River in Victoria. ( 1) 14 Sep 1939 There are a pair of handmade 12-pounder QF guns mounted asymmetrically amidships to the deck either side of the rear funnel. This refit lasted until early 1975 and Yarra was utilised almost exclusively for the remainder of 1975 and most of 1976 as the Mulloka trials ship. On her return to Australia in July, Yarra commenced a five month refit at Williamstown Dockyard. [1] She was also fitted with three .303-inch machine guns and three single 18-inch torpedo tubes. Parramatta(I), having returned from the Far East Patrol in mid July, joined HMAS Yarra(I) at Melbourne on 31 August 1916 on completion of her refit at Sydney. He was truly honoured and humbled by your invitation and seeks to do justice to those who served in His Majestys Australian Ship Yarra II U77 on this 80th year of commemoration.. H\j0l/FL $-bhJjFq.SZXCs nlNCys!dee?NY/p1[zy. continuing on southward from Java. [9] After this was completed, on 22 August 1932 the hulk was towed to sea and sunk as a target off Sydney (.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}3400S 15136E / 34.000S 151.600E / -34.000; 151.600), or scuttled off Sydney Heads on 11 June 1931. Pam Shirley was 15 months old when her father died. any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of the 0000133046 00000 n The final year of Yarras long career began with trials of the Sonar Acquisition Display System (SADS) with HMAS Otway (II). she was ordered to sail as an escort for a convoy of three ships In June The memorial has been placed where the River Yarra enters the sea. The best available source for crew details is the ships' ledgers. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. It wasn't long before the Jap Cruisers opened fire. A long depth charge chute containing depth charges is mounted to the stern, overhanging the rear rails. Squadron, she covered the japanese landings in Malaya and on %PDF-1.4 % The period of January to March 1966 saw Yarra participate in Joint Unit Control exercises in the Sydney and Jervis Bay areas before departing for the Far East Station in late March. its distance from the enemy. In April 1918 the flotilla was incorporated into the 5th British Destroyer Flotilla. "Each did their duty to the utmost, conquering fear, driven on the job, driven by professionalism and compassion," Mrs Bryce said. 10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day). Tenders are additional vessels used to help or serve another vessel. The ship has undergone nine refits and 13 dockings. Consequently Yarra(I), Parramatta(I) and Warrego(I) were withdrawn from coastal patrol to refit at Sydney. Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Displacement (tons): 1,060 Standard, 1,500 Full Load. The "Today sort of helps to make up for a lot of that.". Prior to this, and while on passage from Singapore to Manila in May to participate in the SEATO Exercise SEA HORSE, Yarra located the wreck of HMS Repulse about 45 miles to the north of Pulau Tioman. Parsons Turbines, 2,000 hp, 2 shafts, Max. 0000002882 00000 n The Australian Destroyer Flotilla was based at the port of Brindisi in southern Italy, and from October 1917 spent much of the following year conducting patrols as part of the blockade of the Adriatic Sea. The Chief of Navy accepted the unit citation for gallantry on behalf of the crew of HMAS Yarra (II) which was presented by Governor General Quentin Bryce at a ceremony in Melbourne.