HMAS

Polaris

Originally named Southern Cross Stars, Polaris was a 60 foot Seine Trawler that served in the Royal Australian Navy between 1942 and 1946. She was requisitioned from her owners on 17 April 1942 and commissioned into the RAN on 18 November 1942. Polaris was employed as a survey tender assisting HMA ships Stella and Whyalla in charting waters in the New Guinea area.

In late 1942 while under the command of Lieutenant Commander GD Tancred RAN, Polaris, in company with Stella, conducted the survey of a sea route from Milne Bay to Oro Bay, passing between the D’Entrecasteaux Islands and the New Guinea mainland. The Task Group’s objective was to provide a shorter and more sheltered route for the vitally important transport of troops from Milne Bay to the Buna area. Polaris was purchased by the Australian Government on 13 February 1945, was decommissioned on 21 November 1945 and later sold.

The WWII warship movement card for HMAS Polaris is held in the Naval History Section within the Sea Power Centre - Australia.

Polaris was awarded the Battle Honour ‘New Guinea 1942-1944’.