HMAS Toomaree

HMAS Toomaree (NOTE: her correct name is Toomeree) was a channel patrol boat operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during World War II. She was one of thirteen similar vessels, known to Sydneysiders as the 'Hollywood Fleet'.[1]

History
Australia
Name: Toomaree Correct name is Toomeree
Builder: Lars Halvorsen and Sons
Completed: 1937
Fate: Unknown
History
Australia
Name: Toomaree
General characteristics
Armament: 1 .303 Vickers MG, 4 Depth charges

Toomeree was built by Lars Halvorsens and Sons in 1937 for Harold Percival Christmas, one of the founders of Woolworths who already had a long association with the Halvorsens.[1]

She was requisitioned and later commissioned by the RAN on 15 May 1942 under the command of Lieutenant J P T Hanson RANVR. Toomeree was armed with .303 Vickers machine guns fore and aft and depth charge racks on the stern.[1]

During the Battle of Sydney Harbour (often referred to as the Attack on Sydney Harbour), following the first explosions, Toomeree proceeded to the eastern end of the boom net to assist the protection of the harbour.  Following the Battle, Toomeree continued regular patrol duties at Sydney, Port Kembla and Newcastle.[1]

On 27 February 1944, Toomeree departed Sydney for Merauke on the south-west coast of New Guinea. Whilst at Merauke, she undertook air sea rescue, patrol and pilot duties.  By the end of September 1945, whilst still at Merauke, she had steamed 5,798 miles (9,275km) since she had been commissioned. On 27 September 1945, there was no further need for her at Merauke and she was ordered to be returned to Sydney for disposal.[1]

By June 1946, she had been acquired by Tea Gardens-Nelson’s Bay Ferries as a ‘suitable craft for special trips’. She was reported in 1948 competing in the New South Wales Big Game Fishing Association’s competition off Port Stephens and Newcastle where it was proposed to release pigeons to carry news from the competition vessels whilst at sea, to the shore station at Shoal Bay, Port Stephens. She was still working in 1951 when she was reported taking visitors to the local off-shore Cabbage Tree Islands. Nothing further is known of her.[1]

Notes
  1. "Lolita and the Hollywood Fleet". www.lolitaandthehollywoodfleet.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.

References


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