HMAS Lae (L3035)

Summary

HMAS Lae (L3035) was a Landing Ship, Tank which was operated by the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built by William Denny and Brothers at Dumbarton, Scotland during World War II and was launched on 24 October 1944.

HMS LST 3035 during World War II
History
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameLST 3035
BuilderWilliam Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton, Scotland
Launched24 October 1944
FateTransferred to the Royal Australian Navy, 1 July 1946
History
Australia
NameLae
NamesakeLae, New Guinea
Acquired1 July 1946
Commissioned15 July 1946
FateRan aground on South Percy Island and abandoned, 3 November 1956
General characteristics
TypeMark III Landing Ship, Tank
Displacement2,300 long tons (2,337 t)
Length347 ft (106 m)
Beam55 ft 3 in (16.84 m)
Draught12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
Speed13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph)
Complement104
Armament10 × 20 mm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft guns

She served with the Royal Navy as HMS LST 3035 until 1 July 1946 when she was transferred to the RAN and commissioned as HMAS Lae. She saw almost no service with the RAN, however, as she was placed in reserve later in 1946 and was not reactivated.

HMAS Lae was sold for scrapping in Hong Kong on 9 November 1955. Lae and the former HMAS Labuan left Sydney under tow for Hong Kong on 28 October 1956 carrying a load of scrap metal. On 3 November Lae ran aground on South Percy Island off the coast of Queensland and was abandoned after an attempt to recover her cargo failed.

References edit

  • Gillett, Ross (1988). Australian & New Zealand warships since 1946. Sydney: Child & Associates. p. 234. ISBN 0-86777-219-0.
  • Gillett, Ross; Graham, Colin; Macdougall, Anthony (1977). Warships of Australia. Adelaide: Rigby. p. 35. ISBN 0-7270-0472-7.