HDML 1161

HDML 1161 was one of a class of 30 motor launches built for the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War. Nine were constructed in Australian shipyards, 3 in the United Kingdom, including HDML 1161 and 18 in the United States. They were originally classified as harbour defence motor launches (HDMLs) and those that remained in service following the Second World War were subsequently redesignated seaward defence motor launches in the early 1950s and seaward defence boats in 1957.

The surviving records for HDML 1161 are scant but it was an active anti-submarine patrol vessel, escort and assisted in air/sea search and rescue. Plagued with mechanical difficulties, it spent a significant period of its commission in maintenance both in New Guinea and Sydney.

HDML 1161 was built at Sittingbourne Shipbuilding Company, Kent, England, in August 1942. The company built 13 of the approximately 486 HDMLs produced during the Second World War, though HDML 1161 was the only one commissioned into the RAN from this shipbuilder.

It was commissioned on 9 January 1943 under the command of Sublieutenant Alan Clough RANR, at HMAS Rushcutter and conducted work up exercises in Jervis Bay. It the proceeded north to New Guinea and arrived at Port Moresby on 22 March in company with HMA Ships Arunta and Kapunda escorting 4 ships from Townsville. Upon its arrival in Port Moresby it commenced a routine of daily anti-submarine patrols from the harbour approaches and Basilisk Beacon out to 5 miles to sea, leaving harbour at 0600 each morning.

The routine of daily patrols was broken on 8 April when HDML 1161, returning from anti-submarine patrol after dark, struck a reef near Basilisk Passage and lost the ASDIC dome. It was quickly returned to sea, however, and was shortly to be involved in a significant search and rescue operation. 

On 22 April a large storm prevented a Qantas flying boat with 27 passengers including RAAF personnel and a crew of 4 from finding Port Moresby Harbour. After circling for some time seeking a break in the storm the aircraft’s dwindling fuel reserves forced it to set down on the sea some miles from Port Moresby at 1945. The tail portion of the flying boat broke off on landing due to the heavy seas and the aircraft sank almost at once. HDMLs 1161 and 1074, and HMAS Laurabada, together with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air/sea rescue launches put to sea at around 0100 on the following morning to positions approximately 40nm from Port Moresby with instructions to search the area in daylight. An aerial search was also mounted. That afternoon 18 survivors were picked up some 16nm south-east of Port Moresby, but no trace was found of 11 RAAF personnel and 2 civilian members of the crew.

For the remainder of April, May and June 1943 HDML 1161 conducted daily anti-submarine patrols in conjunction with HDML 1074 and ML 817, and also received a complete overhaul during the quarter.

HDML 1161 was temporarily paid off into Maintenance Reserve on 3 March 1944 after becoming unserviceable in late 1943. It was not seaworthy again until early 1945 owing primarily to difficulties in obtaining spare parts for its Thornycroft engines, and it still required an extensive refit to make its fully operational. It recommissioned on 14 April 1945 under the command of Lieutenant Douglas McDonald, RANR and commenced passage south back to Australia.

It was in Brisbane by late June where its engine injectors were cleaned, tested and refitted before departing on 1 July. It arrived in Coffs Harbour on 2 July and departed the following day for Sydney. It arrived alongside HMAS Rushcutter to await refit which would include extensive maintenance work on its main and auxiliary engines, hull and fittings, as well as various alterations and additions. Leave was granted to most of the ship’s company. It remained in Sydney in refit until at least October when, on the 5th, it placed into ‘F’ class reserve. It was sold on 10 December 1947 to a resident of Karuah north of Newcastle