Built as a patrol vessel by North Queensland Engineers and Agents (NQEA), Cairns, Australia for the Royal Australian Navy.
Launched as the HMAS WHYALLA named after the town Whyalla in South Australia. She was named by Mrs. Eilene Ekblom former Mayor of Whyalla, during the commission ceremony. She was one of the Fremantle class of which 15 where built.
Displacement 220 tons full load, dim. 42 x 7.4 x 1.8m. (draught)
Powered by two MTU V16 cylinder series 538 diesel engines, 6,000 hp., twin shaft, speed 30 knots.
Range by a speed of 5 knots, 5000 mile.
Armament 1 – 40mm, 2 – 0.5 inch Browning MGs, 1 – 81 mm mortar, 1 – Browning MG mounted above the mortar.
Crew 24.
03 July 1982 commissioned.
After commissioned based at Cairns. Used as a coastal patrol vessel in the waters of Australia.
Took part in several operations, and did work together with forces from New Zealand, U.K., Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea.
In total she steamed 617,593 miles and conducted 726 boarding’s in the years she was in service.
02 September 2005 decommissioned.
Thereafter scrapped in Darwin.
Norfolk Island 1990 $5 sg494, scott?
Source : Wikipedia