The ABC of Royal Australian Navy Corvettes

By Able Seaman Libby Pearce

Soon after the outbreak of World War II an order was placed for sixty minesweepers of simple design to be constructed in Australian shipyards as part of the Commonwealth Government’s wartime shipbuilding programme. Rapidly produced, these vessels were capable of patrol work, shore bombardment, minesweeping, escort and survey duties and troop-transport. They became popularly known as Corvettes.

Altogether 56 Bathurst Class Corvettes saw active service in the RAN during World War II, performing valuable work in far-flung theatres in both hemispheres.

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