HMAS ORARA
SERVED IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS
DURING WW2

HMAS Orara and HMAS Doomba (750 tons) formed the genesis of the 20th Minesweeping Flotilla which was reformed on 16 October 1945 to clear mines in Australian, New Guinea and Solomon Island waters after the war.

HMAS Orara (1,297 tons) and single screw ship, was built by Kinghorn in 1907 by North Coast Co for service in NE of NSW to Coffs Harbour. It was sold to China in 1946 and served as  the "Hong Shan" and the "Santos". It was eventually sunk by mine in Yangste on 19 June 1950.

The following photographs show the wreckage of Wirraway A20-189 being recovered and taken on board HMAS Orara after crashing into Bass Strait off the Ninety Mile Beach on 6 October 1941.

The wreckage of Wirraway A20-189 floating just below the surface of the water

Small boat from HMAS Orara recovers the body of the co-pilot of Wirraway A20-189

Crew of HMAS Orara involved in the recovery

The main fuselage of the wrecked Wirraway being lifted on board HMAS Orara

The main fuselage of the wrecked Wirraway being laid on the deck of HMAS Orara

Wing of Wirraway A20-189 being lifted aboard

The engine from Wirraway A20-189 being lifted on board HMAS Orara

The engine from Wirraway A20-189 being lifted on board HMAS Orara

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Rex Turner for his assistance with this web page. I'd also like to thank Noel Johnson for his assistance with this web page. Noel forwarded me the photographs of the Wirraway being recovered by HMAS Orara. These photos were taken by a friend of his who was on board HMAS Orara.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 9 July 2006

This page last updated 15 January 2020