HMAS Armidale (J240)

HMAS Armidale (J240), named for the then town of Armidale, New South Wales, 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).

For other ships with the same name, see HMAS Armidale.

HMAS Armidale in Port Moresby Harbour, September 1942
History
Australia
NamesakeCity of Armidale, New South Wales
BuilderMorts Dock & Engineering Co in Sydney
Laid down1 September 1941
LaunchedFloated 24 January 1942
Commissioned11 June 1942
Motto"Stand Firm"
Honours and
awards
  • Battle honours:
  • Darwin 1942
  • Pacific 1942
  • New Guinea 1942
FateSunk by Japanese aircraft, 1 December 1942
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeBathurst-class corvette
Displacement650 long tons (660 t) (standard), 1,025 long tons (1,041 t) (full war load)
Length186 ft (57 m)
Beam31 ft (9.4 m)
Draught8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × triple expansion steam engines
  • 2 × screws
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) at 1,750 horsepower (1,300 kW)
Complement85
Armament
  • 1 × 4-inch (102 mm) gun
  • 3 × 20-mm Oerlikon guns
  • Machine guns
  • Depth charges chutes and throwers

Launched in early 1942, and initially assigned to convoy escort duties, Armidale was transferred to Darwin in October 1942. The corvette was attacked and sunk off Betano Bay (9°9′52″S 125°43′30″E), on the south coast of Portuguese Timor, (now East Timor) by 13 Japanese aircraft on 1 December 1942, while attempting to evacuate Australian and Dutch soldiers and deliver a relief contingent. She was the only Bathurst-class corvette to be lost to enemy action.

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