The Australian HMAS Bungaree minelayer was built in 1937 as a cargo ship. Requisitioned for the needs of the Australian Navy in October 1940, modernized as an auxiliary minelayer and accepted into the fleet on June 9, 1941.

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Bungaree minelayer had a displacement of 3,043 brt, a maximum speed of 10.5 knots, artillery and anti-aircraft weapons, the number of sea mines – 423 (later after modernization – 467).

HMAS Bungaree was the only mine layer in the Australian Navy in World War II. Between June 1941 and January 1944, it placed over 10,000 mines in the coastal regions of Australia and New Zealand.

Since January 1944, HMAS Bungaree has been a rescue vessel, since August 1944 it has been a floating warehouse. It was withdrawn from the Australian Navy on 7 August 1946 and sold to private ownership.

It was hit by a mine and sank on May 26, 1966 on the Saigon River in southern Vietnam.

The photo source: Australian Department of Defense.

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