HMAS Polaris

HMAS Polaris was a trawler requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy in 1942 as a survey tender.

History
Australia
Name: Southern Cross Stars
Builder: W.L. Holmes and Co. Sydney
Laid down: 1939
Launched: 1940
History
Australia
Name: HMAS Polaris (FY 63)
Honours and
awards:
General characteristics
Displacement: 49 tons
Length: 63 feet (19 m)
Beam: 18.5 feet (5.6 m)
Draught: 10.5 feet (3.2 m)
Speed: 12 knts

Construction

Designed by Harry DeWall, Head Shipwright at W.L. Holmes & Co. Boatyard.

It was built at their McMahon's Point Boatyard in Sydney, Australia.

In 1939 the Keel was laid and had a construction cost £5750.

Service

Polaris was commissioned in November 1942 as a surveying tender and joined the small survey task force in Papua New Guinea in company with HMA Ships Whyalla and Stella. Their first job was to survey the sea route from Milne Bay to Oro Bay, Papua and they came under attack from Japanese bombers off Cape Nelson on 2 January 1943. Polaris was paid off on 5 November 1945 and returned to her owners.

Polaris was awarded the battle honour "New Guinea 1942–43".[1][2]

HMAS Polaris in service in Papua New Guinea

Notes
  1. "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 22 December 2014.
  2. "Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours" (PDF). Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2014.


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