That mission, and the following 15 years of research of the Indian Ocean by CSIRO and other agencies aboard Diamantina, put Australia at the forefront of knowledge of that ocean. It also supported Australia’s contribution to the International Indian Ocean Expedition (1959–65). Between 19, HMAS Diamantina conducted important operations in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, Timor Sea, Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean. In 1946 the ship was placed in reserve until recommissioned by the RAN in 1959 as an oceanographic, meteorological and hydrographic research vessel. Twin screw.Ĥ Depth Charge Throwers, 2 Depth Charge Chutesĭiamantina served in New Guinea waters during the latter part of World War 2 and the surrenders of Japanese forces at both Nauru and Ocean Islands (the final surrender of WW2) were signed on board. Machinery: 2 x 4 Cylinder Triple Expansion Steam Engines of 2750 I.H.P each. For aircraft detection the ship had another radar Type A286Q, which was also an Australian invention and designed especially for ships.ĭisplacement: 1420 tons standard, 2220 tons full load The power requirement was reduced and the aerial smaller, making this type of radar ideal for smaller warships like Diamantina tasked with protecting convoys and anti-submarine warfare. With its cavity magnetron the Type 271 radar had range and bearing discrimination small enough to detect small objects such as surfaced submarines and, in good weather, submarine periscopes. In early 1940 they designed the cavity magnetron which became one of Britain’s most closely guarded wartime secrets. He secured a development contract from the Admiralty and assigned physicists John Randall and Henry Boot to the project. Australian physicist Dr Mark Oliphant, then working in Britain, became interested in the need for high definition radar. The Type 271 surface search radar fitted to Diamantina was one of the war’s most significant scientific and technological developments.Īt the outbreak of World War II radar technology became operational, however the power requirement was large and the equipment bulky so only the largest warships could be fitted with radar. They were equipped with radar, high frequency direction finding and good radio communications. Although welded construction techniques in ships had been used since 1934, the River Class ships were designed for riveted construction with some welding permitted. Britain built 57, Canada 68, while the USA built 77 Tacoma Class vessels based on the River Class design and placed orders for a 1000 destroyer escorts derived from the River Class. In 1941 the RAN approved the construction of River Class frigates but it was not the only Allied Navy to build this class of warship during World War II. Her seven sister ships built in Australia, were Barcoo, Barwon, Burdekin, Gascoyne, Hawkesbury, Lachlan and Macquarie. The former HMAS Diamantina is a River Class Frigate, designed in Great Britain and built in Australia. Diamantina – Commanding Officer’s Day Cabin.
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