HMAS Coolebar

The steamer Coolebar was built at Ardrossan, Scotland in 1911 for the North Coast Steam Navigation Co, New South Wales. In 1929 it was transferred to New Zealand ownership and was renamed Himatangi. Returning to service with the North Coast Steam Navigation Co in 1936, it reverted to its former name in 1938.

Coolebar was requisitioned for naval service from its owners North Coast Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Sydney, as an auxiliary minesweeper on 20 October 1939. It commissioned on 18 December under the command of Lieutenant Commander Peter M MacIntosh, RANR(S) and operated predominantly as part of Minesweeping Group 50, based in Sydney between 1940 and 1943.

On 18 February 1943 Coolebar was paid off at Sydney with the intention of returning the ship to its owners, however, the loss of HMAS Patricia Cam saw its recommissioned as a stores carrier on 1 July 1943 under the command of Lieutenant Kenneth O Shatwell, RANVR. Later that month it sailed for Darwin calling at Brisbane, Townsville and Thursday Island en route.

Coolebar arrived in Darwin in early August and was soon operating as a tender vessel to the shore establishment HMAS Melville. In January 1944 it supplied HMAML 814 with additional fuel and stores in St Asaphs Bay, Melville Island, in preparation for Operation BULLDOZER, a clandestine operation to insert Allied operatives into Japanese held Timor.

Throughout 1944 and 1945 Coolebar continuously carried stores and equipment between Sydney and Darwin until it paid off on 1 June 1945. It was purchased outright by the RAN on 7 December 1945 and was subsequently sold on 17 July 1946 to the firm of AJ Ellerker.

In 1947 Coolebar was reportedly sold to Chinese interests and renamed East River. In September 1949 it foundered at Newcastle, New South Wales, and sunk. It was raised in pieces some 9 years later.