On This Day
1941 > WW2
On This Day - 1941
- October 9, 1941
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS TOOWOOMBA, (LCDR P. H. Hurst, RAN), was commissioned. TOOWOOMBA was laid down in Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD, on 6 August 1940, and launched on 26 March 1941.
The auxiliary minesweeper HMAS ORARA, was commissioned. ORARA was laid down in Kinghorn, Scotland, in 1907. She was requisitioned for the RAN, from her owners the North Coast Steam Navigation Co, NSW, in September 1939.
- October 7, 1941
N. J. O. Makin became Minister for the Navy, succeeding W. M. Hughes.
HMAS CAIRNS, (minesweeper), was launched at Walker’s, QLD. The ship was transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1946, and renamed AMBON.
HMAS NORMAN, (destroyer), sailed for Sevdhisfjord, Iceland, to transport a British Trade Union Congress Delegation to Archangel, Russia.
- October 6, 1941
HMAS BROOME, (minesweeper), was launched at Evans Deakin, QLD.
- October 4, 1941
The German submarine U111 was sunk by HMS LADY SHIRLEY, (trawler), off the Canary Islands. Forty German prisoners were taken by the trawler. For outstanding courage in the action, the following awards were made:
- DSO – LCDR A. H. Callaway, RANVR
- DSC – LEUT I. Boucaut, RANVR.
HMAS GAWLER, (minesweeper), was launched at Whyalla, SA.
- September 30, 1941
HMAS NESTOR, (destroyer), arrived at Devonport, England, for docking and repairs after being damaged by a premature depth charge explosion off Gambier. Several turbine feet were broken, and structural damage was sustained.
- September 27, 1941
HMAS STUART, (destroyer), arrived home at Williamstown, VIC, for a refit
- September 25, 1941
HMAS VOYAGER, (destroyer), arrived home at Sydney for a refit.
- September 24, 1941
The auxiliary minesweeper HMAS WARRAWEE, was commissioned. WARRAWEE was laid down in 1909.
- September 23, 1941
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS WARRNAMBOOL, (LEUT E. J. Barren, RANR(S)), was commissioned. WARRNAMBOOL was laid down in Mort’s Dock, Sydney, on 13 November 1940, and launched on 8 May 1941. The vessel was lost in 1946 while sweeping a minefield off Queensland.
- September 21, 1941
The production of mines in Australia reached 3000 per year. Orders were received for 1500 for the Admiralty, 2500 for the RAN, 300 for New Zealand, and 100 for Noumea