HMAS
Burra Bra

HMAS Burra Bra
Type
Target Vessel
Pennant
BR
Builder
Mort's Dock and Engineering Company Limited, Sydney
Commissioned
1 February 1943
Decommissioned
1 June 1944
Dimensions & Displacement
Displacement 458 tons
Length 195 feet 3 inches
Beam 31 feet 7 inches
Draught 13 feet 5 inches
Complement
Crew 4 officers, 31 sailors
Propulsion
Machinery Triple expansion 100 HP
Armament
Guns
  • 1 x 12-pounder gun
  • 2 x Vickers .303 machine guns
Other Armament 2 x depth charge chutes

Burra Bra was the last of the open upper deck passenger ferries used in Sydney Harbour on the Circular Quay-Manly run. She was requisitioned for naval service on 13 November 1942.

After fitting out by Poole & Steel Ltd, Sydney, Burra Bra commissioned on 1 February 1943 under the command of Lieutenant Reginald E Morley, RANR.

The vessel was employed on target towing duties and for anti-submarine training, based at Jervis Bay, NSW. Her duties included co-operation with aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force.

On 25 August 1943 Burra Bra was purchased by the Commonwealth. Burra Bra paid off into reserve at Sydney on 1 June 1944. She was employed for a period as a source of steam supply for vessels undergoing refits.

The ship was sold by auction at Sydney in November 1947.