Thread: 19th Feb, remember Darwin

We would have to assume that would come from the Japanese records, if so, would be true. Bob

Originally Posted by Hymie

I seem to recall that there was a greater tonnage of bombs dropped on Darwin than the attack on Pearl Harbour.

According to what I have read , this is correct..

Hard to believe.

Cheers Ean

One attack on Pearl Harbor, 64 on Darwin.

HMAS Vigilant was the first all aluminium warship built at Cockatoo,,

and anyone know why it had two name changes?

HMAS Vigilant was renamed HMAS Sleuth on 17 April 1944 and HMAS Hawk on 13 March 1945.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

HMAS Vigilant was the first all aluminium warship built at Cockatoo,,

and anyone know why it had two name changes?

HMAS Vigilant was renamed HMAS Sleuth on 17 April 1944 and HMAS Hawk on 13 March 1945.

Bit of a long story, will do my best.

Vigilant, 1940-1946, FY 06, Q80, 106 gross, 102/16.4/5.6, 640 bhp=13.5 knots, 6 days @ 13.5 ,1 x 20mm oerlikon, 2x .303 lewis guns, 1x 303 vickers, 2x dcc's, 15 crew.

launched by the floating crane TITAN, at Cockatoo island, Sydney, in 1938, the patrol vessel , Vigilant was operated by the Commonwealth Gov. in Nthn. Territory waters. She was taken over for Naval duties in Oct. 1940 and commissioned on 12 Nov. Vigilant operated from Sydney until sailing to Darwin May 1941.At first the vessel was used for the examination service and then in July began a survey of the upper reaches of the Bynoe harbour. She began duties as a channel patrol boat and for the next one year and 9 months operated in this role. Vigilants other responsibilities included rendering mines safe in July 1942, boom defence at Darwin from Jan. to June 1943, surveying from June to July, and air sea rescue.

In Dec. 1942, the vessel operated with special operations, with the reinforcement of Aus. @ Dutch guerillas to enemy controlled Timor.Vigilant sailed for New Guinea 0n 1 Sept. to commence surveying in the approaches to the Merauke R. . During Nov. the vessel proceeded to Cairns, and on 17 April 1944, was renamed and recommissioned SLEUTH. Like the previous ship of the name, she was based on Thursday Island.This posting was changed to Darwin where she arrived on 22 Dec. 1944. For the ensuing 6 months SLEUTH operated with the survey task unit in the NW region.Sleuth was renamed Hawk on 13 March, but in July departed for Sydney to decommission on 13 Sept. 1945. She was sold 14 Oct 1946 for $ 5, 600, after operating as a trawler she ended her days in Sydney, hulked in Homebush Bay in the 1970's. Vale, Vigilant. Bob.