Gunbar was requisitioned for war service from the North Coast Steam Navigation Company of Sydney, on 30 September 1940 at a charter rate of £120 per month.

It commissioned on 18 December 1940 under the command of Temporary Lieutenant Norman M Muzzell, RANR(S), and began duty in waters off the south-east coast of Australia.

In April 1941 Gunbar went to Fremantle and operated on the west Australian coast until January 1942 when it was based in Darwin.

Gunbar was in Darwin Harbour during the first Japanese air raids on 19 February 1942. It was undertaking water carrier duties at the time and had just passed through the harbour boom gate entrance when the first attack began and was singled out by attacking Japanese aircraft. It was strafed repeatedly and 9 of its ships’ company were wounded including Lieutenant Muzzell. Gunbar managed to get alongside where 5 of its badly wounded personnel were put ashore for immediate treatment before Lieutenant Muzzell took the ship to the assistance of the badly damaged SS Portmar

Gunbar succeeded in evacuating Portmar’s crew and landed them ashore. One of Gunbar’s wounded personnel, Ordinary Seaman Herbert John Shepherd (a 19 year old timber worker from Western Australia) died from his wounds 3 days after the attack and, along with many others who died as a result of the air raid, was buried at sea.

Gunbar remained in the Darwin area until April 1943 when it went to Sydney, paying off to maintenance reserve on 30 June 1943. Later it was converted to a Boom Gate Vessel at Port Kembla and recommissioned on 21 October 1943. For the remainder of its service it operated in the Sydney and Port Kembla area before paying off on 3 December 1945.

Early in 1946 it was purchased out right by the Royal Australia Navy and subsequently sold to A J Ellerker and Co of Sydney on 25 July 1946.

Specifications

HMAS Gunbar (I)
Type
Auxiliary Minesweeper
Pennant
GB
Builder
Ardrossan, 1911
Commissioned
18 December 1940
Decommissioned
3 December 1945
Dimensions & Displacement
Displacement 480 tons
Length 150 feet
Beam 30 feet
Draught 8 feet 7 inches
Performance
Speed 10 knots
Complement
Crew 4 officers and 23 ratings
Armament
Guns
  • 1 x 12 pounder 12 cwt QF
  • 1 (quad) .5 inch Vickers MG
Other Armament 2 depth charge chutes
Awards
Battle Honours
  • PACIFIC 1941-45
  • DARWIN 1942-43