HMAS Karangi was the third boom defence vessel constructed by Cockatoo Island Dockyard to a design similar to that of the Royal Navy Bar Class. 

Karangi arrived in Darwin for boom defence service on 24 January 1942. The vessel was present during the Japanese large scale carrier borne air attack on Darwin on 19 February 1942 and during subsequent service in the area experienced numerous air raids but escaped damage.

HMAS Karangi commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 23 December 1941. She was the third Boom Defence Vessel constructed by Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

With the exception of a period of refitting in Brisbane, Karangi served at Darwin until the end of 1943. In mid-1944 it proceeded to Fremantle in western Australia and remained there until August 1952 carrying out various duties in north-western Australian waters.

On 5 September 1952 Karangi returned to Sydney for refitting and stayed at the dockyards of Garden Island and Williamstown, Victoria, until May 1953. Returning to Fremantle on 6 June 1953, Karangi began a further period of duty in western Australia which lasted until 30 September 1954, then was paid off into reserve.

In April 1955 Karangi was brought back into service at Fremantle and served mainly in the north western area until March 1957. The vessel later proceeded to Sydney where it was placed in unmaintained Reserve on 31 May 1957. During 16 years of sea going service Karangi steamed 73,000 miles. Karangi was removed from the Navy list in 1964 and declared for disposal.

HMAS Karangi (I)
Type
Boom Defence Vessel
Pennant
A304
Builder
Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Co Ltd, Sydney
Laid Down
5 February 1941
Launched
16 August 1941
Commissioned
23 December 1941
Decommissioned
31 May 1957
Dimensions & Displacement
Displacement 768 tons
Length 178 feet 3 inches
Beam 32 feet 6 inches
Draught 11 feet 3 inches
Performance
Speed 11.5 knots
Complement
Crew 32
Propulsion
Machinery Triple expansion inverted cylinder
Armament
Guns
  • 1 x 12 pounder 12 cwt in High Angle Mk IV mounting on aft boat deck
  • 2 x 20mm Oerlikons
  • 2 x .303 inch Vickers MG
Awards
Battle Honours DARWIN 1942-43