HMAS Yarra (U77)

Grimsby-class

HMAS Yarra (U-77) General Characteristics
Displacement:	1,060 tons (standard) 1500-1515 tons (full load)
Length:	266 ft o/a (79.8 m)
Beam:	36 ft (10.8 m)
Draught:	7 ft 6 in (2.25 m)
Propulsion:	Parsons, steam turbines, 2 shafts, 2,000 shp
Speed:	16.5 knots
Complement:	135 men
Armament (RAN):	3 x 4 in AA 4 x 3 pdr 1 x MG 2 x Depth Charge Throwers 2 x twin tubes for 21 in torpedoes
Cost:	220 000 pounds for Australian built ships

Four ships of the Royal Australian Navy have been named for the Yarra River in Victoria.

The first Yarra was a River class destroyer.
The second Yarra was a Grimsby class sloop .
The third Yarra was a River class destroyer escort.
The fourth Yarra is a Huon class minehunter.

Summary

With the realisation that war was approaching, 13 Grimsby class sloops were laid down in the mid to late 1930s. Of these eight were built in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy, four in Australia for the Royal Australian Navy and one for India. Armament varied considerably between ships with the four Australian ships being similar to HMS Depthford but armed with an additional 4 in gun.

The second Yarra was a Grimsby class sloop laid down by the Cockatoo Island Dockyard at Sydney, New South Wales 24 May 1934, launched 28 March 1935 by Mrs Parkhill, wife of Archdale Parkhill, Minister for Defence and commissioned 21 January 1936. HMAS Yarra, commanded by Lieutenant Commander John Rankin RAN, was sunk by the Japanese cruisers Atago, Takao and Maya on 4 March 1942 with the loss of 138 of her crew.

Grimsby class ships

HMAS Yarra (lost during WW II)
HMAS Parramatta (lost during WW II)
HMAS Swan
HMAS Warrego

One ship of this class (name unknown) was built for the Indian Navy.

Bibliography

Warships of Australia, Ross Gillett, Illustrations Colin Graham, Rigby Limited, 1977, ISBN 0-7270-0472-7

Categories:

Royal Navy / Royal Australian Navy

Summary

Grimsby class ships

See also

Bibliography