HMAS Whyalla was one of 60 Bathurst-class corvettes constructed during World War II . The corvette was launched on 12 May 1941 by Lady Barclay-Harvey, wife of the Governor of South Australia, and commissioned on 8 January 1942.
Whyalla was sold to the Victorian Public Works Department on 10 February 1947, The corvette was modified for civilian service, renamed Rip, and towed to Melbourne, after that
The corvette was relocated two kilometres inland and placed on permanent foundations, becoming the centrepiece for the Whyalla Maritime Museum, which opened on 29 October 1988.
Whyalla is a city in Australia, in the state of South Australia. Located in the northeastern part of the Eyre Peninsula, on the shores of the northern part of Spencer Gulf , 395 km from the state capital, Adelaide.
Access : Coordinates: -33.019307, 137.574888 / Location: Lincoln Highway (Port Augusta Rd), northern entrance to the city.
Highlights :
- Armament: 4″ caliber, cartridge, Mark IV two 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns one 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun and depth charges.
Displacement: 650 tons.Length: 56.73 m.Beam: 9.44 m.Depth: 4.72 m.Type: Antisubmarine & Minesweeping Vessel, Bathurst Class. - Maritime museum : Museum specialises in naval history, the BHP shipbuilding industry, maritime heritage.Daily 11.30am and 1.30pm.
- In January 1943, HMAS Whyalla became the first RAN warship to participate in the survey of unknown coastal waters of Papua, New Guinea. In the same month, while in a deep inlet on Cape Nelson Peninsula.
- Whyalla is one of only two Bathurst-class corvettes that still exist as museum ships the other is HMAS Castlemaine.
Access to the HMAS Whyalla is by guided tour only, bookings are essential. Closed-in footwear is required. / Open 7 days Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm, Weekend and Public Holidays 10am – 4pm. Closed only on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Entrance to the Maritime Museum is via the Whyalla Visitor Centre / Cost: Adult $15.00, Concession $12.00 , Child $9.00; Family $40 (2ad & 2ch) , extra children $7.00
Activities : tour of HMAS Whyalla at the Whyalla Maritime Museum on Lincoln Highway.
Go next : Hummock Hill Lookout / the city of Whyalla, South Australia / Point Lowly Lighthouse.
