DOOMBA minesweeper (1919/1939)
Doomba 1939
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Doomba (ex-Wexford) | Simons, Renfrew, UK | 10.10.1919 | 11.1919 // 9.1939 | patrol 6.1940, sold 2.1947 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
800 |
|
Displacement full, t |
930 |
|
Length, m |
70.4 |
|
Breadth, m |
8.70 |
|
Draught, m |
2.30 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 VTE, 2 Yarrow boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
2200 |
|
Max speed, kts |
16 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 185 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 1500(10) |
|
Armament |
1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV, mechanical minesweeping gear |
|
Complement |
74 |
Project history: The Admiralty incorporated certain improvements in a mass-produced version of the 'Hunts', which were to be built in large numbers from mid-1917. Sometimes called the 'later Hunts', these included a flush deck aft and heavier armament, but in other respects they were similar, and equally successful, although only 32 were in commission by the Armistice. Wholesale disposals followed, many for commercial conversion as coasters. Many were employed on post-war mine clearance duties, and several survived to serve in the Second World War. Six were completed as survey vessels, namely Ambleside (renamed Beaufort), Amersham (renamed Collinson), Pinner (renamed Fitzroy), Radley (renamed Flinders), Uppingham (renamed Kellett), Verwood (renamed Crozier), all of which were renamed in March 1919. Most of the original names were coastal towns, but it was decided that this could lead to confusion in signals, so on 25 June 1918 new names of inland towns were substituted where appropriate. Fowey was originally ordered from Dunlop Bremner but was transferred to Clyde SB and renamed Forres.
Modernizations: 1939, Doomba: was armed with 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV, mechanical minesweeping gear
1942: + 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 2 DCT, 2 DCR (51)
1944-45: - 1 x 1 - 20/70; + 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk I/III
Naval service: One more ship of Hunt type, Australian Doomba (ex-Wexford) was requisitioned by the private company where served as a pleasure craft, armed and commissioned by RAN in September, 1939 and served as minesweeper and anti-submarine patrol from June, 1940.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015