HMAS Stawell

HMAS Stawell (J348/M348) was a Bathurst class corvette named for the town of Stawell, Victoria. Sixty Bathurst class corvettes were constructed during World War II, and Stawell was one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The corvette later served in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) as HMNZS Stawell.

Construction
Stawell was laid down by HMA Naval Dockyard at Williamstown, Victoria on 18 June 1942. She was launched on 3 April 1943 by Mrs. J. J. Dedman, wife of the Minister for War Organisation, and commissioned into the RAN on 7 August 1943.

RAN
The majority of Starwell’s career was spent in three areas. Initially, she served as a convoy escort along the east coast of Australia. Following this, Stawell participated in a variety of escort, minesweeping, and combat roles throughout New Guinea waters. In the final third of her career, the ship spent time in Hong Kong waters, performing minsweeping and anti-piracy duties. Stawell returned to Brisbane in November 1945.

The corvette received three battle honours for her wartime service: "Pacific 1943-45", "New Guinea 1943-44", and "Borneo 1945".

RNZN
Stawell was removed from RAN service on 26 March 1946. On 5 March 1952, Stawell and three other Bathurst class corvettes (HMA Ships Echuca, Inverell, and Kiama) were transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).

She was commissioned into the RNZN, given the prefix HMNZS, and remained in service until the late 1950s, when she was placed into reserve.

Fate
Stawell was sold to Pacific Scrap Limited of Auckland, New Zealand in July 1968, and was broken up for scrap.