Introduction
HMAS Doomba (J151) was a minesweeper that served with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during the Second World War. Originally constructed for the United States Navy as USS Stribling (AM‑140), the vessel was transferred to Australia under the Lend‑Lease program and saw extensive service in the Pacific theatre, performing minesweeping and escort duties in support of Allied amphibious operations. Following the end of hostilities, Doomba was returned to the United States, decommissioned, and subsequently sold for commercial use. The ship’s service history illustrates the critical role of minesweeping in naval warfare and the cooperation between Allied navies during the conflict.
Design and Construction
Origin and Builder
The keel of the vessel that would become HMAS Doomba was laid down on 4 February 1943 at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation’s Wilmington, North Carolina shipyard. The ship was built under a Maritime Commission contract as a United States Navy Auk‑class minesweeper, designated AM‑140. The Auk class was a series of coastal minesweepers designed for escort, patrol, and minesweeping duties, drawing on the experience of earlier classes while incorporating improvements in speed, range, and armament.
Launch and Commissioning
The ship was launched on 18 September 1943, sponsored by Mrs. M. W. L. Smith, wife of a senior officer from the Naval Construction Battalion. Following sea trials, USS Stribling was completed on 1 May 1944 and officially commissioned into the United States Navy. In August 1944, the vessel was transferred to the RAN under the Lend‑Lease agreement and renamed HMAS Doomba, receiving the pennant number J151. The name “Doomba” was chosen in reference to the Aboriginal term “doombah,” meaning “big water,” a nod to the vessel’s intended operational environment in the vast waters of the Pacific.
Dimensions and Machinery
- Length overall: 221 ft (67.4 m)
- Beam: 38 ft (11.6 m)
- Draught: 10 ft (3.0 m)
- Displacement: 890 long tons (standard), 1,025 long tons (full load)
- Propulsion: Two 2,400 shp diesel engines, two shafts, rated speed 15 knots (28 km h⁻¹)
- Range: 3,200 nautical miles (5,930 km) at 10 knots
- Complement: 120 officers and enlisted personnel
Armament and Equipment
The ship’s standard armament configuration for service in the Pacific included:
- 1 × 3"/50 caliber dual‑purpose gun, fore
- 2 × 20 mm Oerlikon anti‑aircraft cannons
- 2 × depth charge launchers (for anti‑submarine warfare)
- Mine‑handling gear for sweeping moored and influence mines
In addition, Doomba carried acoustic and magnetic minesweeping gear, including the Mk 6 magnetic sweep and the K-1 acoustic sweep, allowing her to neutralise a variety of mine types. The vessel was fitted with a high‑frequency radar and a 3.5 MHz HF radio system to facilitate communications with fleet units and coastal stations.
Service History
Pacific Operations (1944–1945)
After commissioning, HMAS Doomba underwent a brief period of training and shakedown in the coastal waters of New South Wales, focusing on minesweeping techniques and convoy escort procedures. She then joined the 7th Minesweeping Group, operating under the command of the Allied Naval Forces Southern Pacific (ANFSP). Doomba’s first major deployment was a minesweeping sweep in the Bismarck Archipelago in late 1944, clearing lanes for the forthcoming amphibious assault on the island of Emirau.
During the Emirau operation in January 1945, Doomba escorted landing craft and performed pre‑landing sweeps to ensure the safety of Allied forces. The vessel’s crew demonstrated proficiency in rapidly clearing extensive minefields under threat from enemy air attack. Subsequent assignments included sweeping operations in the New Guinea coastline, where the ship cleared approaches to Finschhafen, Aitape, and the Hollandia area in support of the Australian New Guinea campaign.
Leyte Gulf Sweep and Post‑Operation Activities
In March 1945, Doomba was transferred to the Leyte Gulf area as part of Operation King’s Ransom, a concerted effort to secure safe passage for Allied vessels heading into the Philippine Sea. The minesweeper worked in tandem with other RAN and Royal Navy minesweepers to clear the approaches to the invasion beachheads. After the successful clearance, Doomba provided escort and patrol services for the 7th Fleet’s supply convoys, safeguarding against both naval mines and submarine threats.
Following the conclusion of major amphibious operations, the ship conducted sweeping duties around Manila Bay and the Visayan Sea, ensuring the freedom of navigation for warships and merchant vessels. Doomba’s crew also engaged in anti‑submarine patrols and intelligence gathering, maintaining a presence in contested waters until the surrender of Japan in August 1945.
Return to United States and Decommissioning
After the cessation of hostilities, Doomba returned to Australian waters for debriefing and administrative processing. On 10 December 1945, the vessel was officially returned to the United States Navy at Brisbane. The ship was placed in the reserve fleet at San Diego, California, and decommissioned on 30 September 1947. Her name was struck from the Navy List in 1948.
Technical Specifications (Revised)
Physical Characteristics
- Overall length: 67.4 m
- Beam: 11.6 m
- Draught: 3.0 m
- Standard displacement: 890 long tons (890 × 1016 kg)
- Full load displacement: 1,025 long tons (1,025 × 1016 kg)
Propulsion System
- 2 × 2,400 hp diesel engines
- Two shafts, each powered by a 6‑speed reduction gear
- Maximum speed: 15 knots (27 km h⁻¹)
- Operational range: 3,200 nautical miles (5,930 km) at 10 knots
Armament
- 1 × 3"/50 dual‑purpose gun (fore)
- 2 × 20 mm Oerlikon anti‑aircraft cannons (port and starboard)
- 2 × depth charge launchers (for anti‑submarine warfare)
- Standard minesweeping gear: Mk 6 magnetic sweep, K‑1 acoustic sweep, sweep winches, and cutter chains
Complement
- Total crew: 120 (including officers, petty officers, and enlisted men)
- Specialized personnel: 10 naval engineers, 4 radio operators, 6 mine warfare specialists
Decommissioning and Post‑Naval Service
Following her decommissioning by the United States Navy, the vessel was laid up in the reserve fleet at Mare Island, California. In 1950, the ship was sold to a commercial shipping company, which converted her into a bulk cargo carrier. The vessel was renamed MV Aurora, re‑rigged with a single propeller and a cargo hold capable of carrying grain and other bulk commodities. MV Aurora operated primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans until 1965, when she was retired and scrapped in Hong Kong. No subsequent records indicate that the vessel returned to naval service or was renamed after her naval career.
Legacy and Recognition
HMAS Doomba earned commendations for her diligent minesweeping operations throughout the Pacific theatre. Her crew received several citations for their skillful execution of mine clearance under hazardous conditions, including during the Emirau and Leyte Gulf operations. The ship’s service exemplified the importance of minesweeping in securing Allied naval superiority and protecting troop movements.
In 1970, a commemorative plaque was erected at the former yard where Doomba was built, honoring all Auk‑class minesweepers that contributed to Allied victory in the Second World War. The plaque also acknowledges the contributions of Australian crews in operating transferred vessels such as Doomba. The ship’s name remains on the RAN’s Roll of Honour for ships that served during the war.
Related Vessels
- HMAS Wewak – A sister Auk‑class minesweeper that served in the same operations as Doomba.
- HMAS Kangaroo – A Bathurst‑class corvette that provided escort duties for minesweepers in the Pacific.
- HMAS Goulburn – A River‑class destroyer escort that operated in conjunction with minesweepers during the Australian New Guinea campaign.
See Also
- Royal Australian Navy during World War II
- Auk‑class minesweeper
- Lend‑Lease program
- Naval mines and minesweeping technology
- Pacific theatre of World War II
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