HMAS Labuan (L3501)

HMAS Labuan leaving Williamstown, Victoria for Macquarie Island in May 1949
History
Australia
Name:	LST 3501
Builder:	Canadian Vickers
Launched:	31 August 1944
Renamed:	HMAS Labuan (16 December 1948)
Launched:	31 August 1944
Decommissioned:	28 September 1951
Fate:	Sold
General characteristics
Class and type:	Landing Ship Tank Mark 3
Displacement:	2,140 tonnes (2,110 long tons; 2,360 short tons) light 3,117 tonnes (3,068 long tons; 3,436 short tons) beaching
Length:	345 ft (105 m) overall
Beam:	55 ft 3 in (16.84 m)
Draught:	13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
Propulsion:	Triple expansion engine, 5,500 hp (4,100 kW), two propellers
Speed:	13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Range:	10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Capacity:	18 40-ton tanks, 27 trucks, and 7 LCMs
Troops:	168 troops
Complement:	104
Armament:	10 × 20 mm Oerlikons (four twin, two single mounts)

HMAS Labuan (L3501) (formerly HMA LST 3501) was a Mark III Tank Landing Ship that served in the Royal Navy (as HMS LST 3501) during World War II, and with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1946 until 1951.

In RAN service, the landing ship was primarily used in support of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE). The vessel transported ANARE personnel and equipment two and from Heard Island and Macquarie Island. While returning from Heard Island in 1951, Labuan broke down and had to be towed to the mainland. The ship was paid off, and disposed of in 1955.

LST 3501 was built by Canadian Vickers at their shipyard in Montreal, Canada. The vessel was launched on 31 August 1944. The Mark 3 LST had a light load displacement of 2,140 tonnes (2,110 long tons; 2,360 short tons), with a maximum beachable displacement of 3,117 tonnes (3,068 long tons; 3,436 short tons) beaching. They were 345 feet (105 m) in length overall, with a beam of 55 feet 3 inches (16.84 m), and a maximum draught of 13 feet 1 inch (3.99 m) at the stern. Propulsion was provided by triple expansion engines, which delivered 5,500 horsepower (4,100 kW) to the two propellers. Maximum speed was 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph), with a range of 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). The LCTs had a ship's company of 104, and a maximum load of 168 troops, 18 40-ton tanks, 27 trucks, and 7 Landing Craft Mechanized. In RAN service, LST 3501 was armed with ten 20 mm Oerlikons: four twin and two single mounts.

LST 3501 operated with the Royal Navy during World War II.

In 1946, LST 3501 and five other Mark 3 LSTs were loaned to the RAN. They were all commissioned into RAN service on 1 July 1946. In 1947, LST 3501 was selected to assist in the establishment of, then provide logistic support to, the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) research facilities on Heard Island and Macquarie Island. The vessel was repainted yellow to assist with visual identification in Antarctic waters, and modified slightly to carry a Supermarine Walrus seaplane, which was launched by derrick. On 28 November 1947, LST 3501 departed from Fremantle with fourteen ANARE personnel and twelve months of supplies, arriving at Heard Island on 12 December and offloading the supplies and scientists. On 5 January, the Walrus was lost during foul weather, and was not replaced.