Wato (I) was requisitioned for naval service on 19 April 1941. Two days after commissioning it departed Port Adelaide for Darwin where it was based for 18 months in support of naval operations in northern Australian waters.

Wato was in Darwin Harbour on 19 February 1942, when the Japanese launched the first of their 64 air raids on the city and port. 188 Japanese aircraft were involved in this raid which sank 8 ships and damaged many of the other 35 ships present in the harbour. Darwin town and the Royal Australian Air Force aerodrome were also heavily damaged in the raid. A second raid of 54 bombers was launched 2 hours after the first.

MV Neptuna.
MV Neptuna.

During the first raid the merchant vessel Barossa, berthed at the main wharf with an oil lighter alongside it, was set on fire. Wato, under the command of Warrant Officer Andrew Gibson RANR(S) proceeded at great risk alongside the wharf, which was also on fire, and towed the oil lighter clear. In a outstanding display of seamanship Gibson then took Wato to the wharf opposite the burning MV Neptuna and took Barossa in tow. As Barossa was being towed clear the Neptuna, carrying a cargo of oil, ammunition and depth charges blew up. The explosion showered the entire port with debris and Wato and Barossa were extremely fortunate to get clear. Barossa was beached nearby and its cargo subsequently burnt out. Wato then helped rescue crew members from stricken US Navy and merchant ships.

Following continuous service in Darwin, Wato was transferred to the New Guinea area in November 1942 and served there until late 1944 when it proceeded to Sydney, where it arrived in December.

For the remainder of the war, Wato was based in Sydney, where it paid off on 12 November 1945. It was returned to her owners, The Adelaide Steam Tug Company Ltd, on 27 May 1946.

Specifications

HMAS Wato
Type
Tug
Commissioned
11 May 1941
Decommissioned
12 November 1945
Dimensions & Displacement
Length 125 feet
Beam 23 feet 7 inches
Draught 13 feet 9 inches
Performance
Speed 11.5 knots
Complement
Crew 20
Propulsion
Machinery Triple expansion steam engine
Horsepower 132
Armament
Guns 2 x Vickers machine guns
Other Armament 1 x Oerlikon
Awards
Battle Honours