HMAS Goorangai
Goorangai coming in to berth
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Australia | |
| Name: | Goorangai |
| Operator: |
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| Builder: | Government Dockyard, Newcastle |
| Launched: | 1919 |
| Fate: | Requisition for naval service, 1939 |
| History | |
 Australia
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| Acquired: | 8 August 1939 |
| Commissioned: | 9 September 1939 |
| Reclassified: | Auxiliary minesweeper |
| Fate: | Sunk following collision in 1940 |
| Notes: | Pennant number: GR |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Auxiliary minesweeper (former trawler) |
| Tonnage: | 223 tonnes |
| Length: | 117 feet (36 m) |
| Beam: | 22 feet 1 inch (6.73 m) |
| Draught: | 13 feet 8 inches (4.17 m) |
| Speed: | 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph) |
| Complement: | 3 officers, 21 sailors |
| Armament: |
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HMAS Goorangai was a 223-ton auxiliary minesweeper of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built in 1919 for the Government of New South Wales, then sold in 1926 to the fishing company Cam & Sons. The trawler was requisitioned for military service following the outbreak of World War II, converted into a minesweeper, and assigned to Melbourne. She was sunk in an accidental collision with MV Duntroon in 1940, becoming the RAN's first loss of World War II, and the first RAN surface ship to be lost in wartime.
Goorangai was built by the Government Dockyard, Newcastle in 1919, for use by the Government of New South Wales. The vessel had a tonnage rating of 223 tonnes, was 117 feet (36 m) long, had a beam of 22 feet 1 inch (6.73 m), and a draught of 13 feet 8 inches (4.17 m). Top speed was 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph).
The vessel was in government service until 1926, when she was sold to Sydney-based fishing company Cam & Sons for use as a trawler.
At the start of World War II, Goorangai was requisitioned for military service on 8 September 1939; one of eight vessels requisitioned from Cam & Sons during the war. The vessel underwent modification, and was fitted with minesweeping gear, a QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun, and depth charges. After conversion into an auxiliary minesweeper, Goorangai was commissioned into the RAN on 9 September 1939, and assigned the pennant number GR. She was operated by Royal Australian Navy Reserve personnel: 21 sailors and 3 officers.Goorangai was assigned to Minesweeping Group 54, which was based in Melbourne and tasked with keeping Bass Strait and surrounding waters clear of mines.
Following the loss of SS Cambridge and MS City of Rayville in November 1940 to sea mines laid off Wilsons Promontory and Cape Otway, Goorangai and two other auxiliary minesweepers, HMA Ships Orara and Durraween, were sent to clear to Bass Strait to sweep for mines.
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