HMAS Kara Kara (Y276)

HMAS Kara Kara (Y276) was a 525 ton auxiliary boom defence vessel of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during the Second World War. Built by J. Crichton & Company, Saltney and launched in 1926 for Sydney Ferries as a vehicular ferry. She was converted to a cargo carrier after the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932. Requisitioned by the RAN in 1941 and used as a auxiliary boom defence vessel at Darwin. Paid off in 1945, she was placed in reserve until 1972, when she was sold to be broken up. Her hull was sunk as a target off Jervis Bay in 1973.

History
Kara Kara, Koondooloo and Kalang were three double ended vehicular ferries ordered by Sydney Ferries for use on the harbour. Built by J. Crichton & Company, Saltney and launched in 1926. After the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932, Kara Kara was converted as a cargo carrier and undertook this role until 1941.

Requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on 27 February 1941 and converted into a boom defence vessel and commissioned as HMAS Kara Kara on 14 September 1941. She was purchased outright on 7 November 1941. She sailed to Darwin to act as a boom defence vessel for the Darwin anti-submarine boom net. During the Japanese air raid on Darwin on 19 February 1942, she claimed one hit on an enemy aircraft, however was strafed suffering light damage and the loss of two men killed.

She was paid off into reserve at Darwin on 8 December 1945, she was laid up until leaving Darwin on 6 December 1950 and arriving at Sydney on 22 December 1950. Kara Kara was transferred to the un-maintained reserve at the Waverton Depot on 30 December 1960 and was later used as a depot ship for the reserve fleet at Athol Bight.

Fate
Sold to Marrickville Metals, Marrickville for scrap on 15 February 1972, Kara Kara was stripped of useful material and the hulk was handed back to the RAN for use as a target. On 31 January 1973, Kara Kara was sunk forty miles off Jervis Bay by RAN A-4G Skyhawk fighter-bombers, and gunfire from HMAS Yarra (DE 45), HMAS Teal and HMAS Perth (D 38).

The engine from Kara Kara is on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Kara Kara was awarded the battle honour Darwin 1942-43.