HMAS Strahan

HMAS Strahan (J363/M363), named for the town of Strahan, Tasmania, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Construction
Strahan was laid down by the NSW State Dockyard at Newcastle, New South Wales on 9 October 1942. She was launched on 12 July 1943 by Mrs. J. J. Cahill, wife of the Minister for Public Works and Local Government, and commissioned into the RAN on 14 March 1944.

Operational history
Strahan began her career in May 1944, arriving in New Guinea after completing trials to serve as an escort and anti-submarine vessel. In October 1944, Strahan was present in Morotai Harbour when the recently captured island was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The corvette was attacked by a dive-bomber, but was able to drive off the Japanese plane before she was damaged.

In May 1945, Strahan travelled to Adelaide via Sydney, where she underwent a refit. Following this, she was immediated deployed back in New Guinea, and in June 1945 fired upon Japanese gun emplacements on Kairiru Island.

Following the end of World War II, Strahan was assigned to the 21st Minesweeping Flotilla in Hong Kong, and performed in minesweeping and anti-piracy patrols. Strahan struck a mine while on patrol on 26 September 1945, and had to be towed into Hong Kong Harbour. She was repaired, and returned to Australia. Strahan was decommissioned into reserve in Sydney on 25 January 1946.

The corvette received two battle honours for her wartime service: "Pacific 1944-45" and "New Guinea 1944".

Fate
Strahan was sold to the Kinoshita Australia company for scrap on 6 January 1961. She was broken up at Green Point in Sydney during March 1963.