HMAS Polaris

HMAS Polaris was a trawler requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy in 1942 as a survey tender.

History
Australia
Name	Southern Cross Stars
Builder	W.L. Holmes and Co. Sydney
Laid down	1939
Launched	1940
History
Australia
Name	HMAS Polaris (FY 63)
Honours and awards	Battle honours: New Guinea 1942–43
General characteristics
Displacement	49 tons
Length	63 feet (19 m)
Beam	18.5 feet (5.6 m)
Draught	10.5 feet (3.2 m)
Speed	12 knts

Construction

Designed by Harry DeWall, Head Shipwright at W.L. Holmes & Co. Boatyard.

It was built at their McMahon's Point Boatyard in Sydney, Australia.

In 1939, the Keel was laid and had a construction cost £5750.

Service

Polaris was commissioned in November 1942 as a surveying tender and joined the small survey task force in Papua New Guinea in company with HMA Ships Whyalla and Stella. Their first job was to survey the sea route from Milne Bay to Oro Bay, Papua and they came under attack from Japanese bombers off Cape Nelson on 2 January 1943. Polaris was paid off on 5 November 1945 and returned to her owners.

Polaris was awarded the battle honour "New Guinea 1942–43".^[1][2]

HMAS Polaris in service in Papua New Guinea