The former HMAS Diamantina is a River Class Frigate, designed in Great Britain and built in Australia. Her primary duties were as an anti-submarine vessel.

Her seven sister ships, also built in Australia, were Barcoo, Barwon, Burdekin, Gascoyne, Hawkesbury, Lachlan and Macquarie.

Diamantina was named after the Diamantina River in Queensland. The river was named after Countess Diamantina Roma Bowen, wife of the first Governor of Queensland, Sir George Ferguson Bowen.

She was built in Queensland by Walkers of Maryborough, was laid down 12 April, 1943 and launched on 06 April, 1944.

The Museum’s librarian, Peter Nunan, is the author of a recently published history of the ship. The book can be purchased through the Museum’s book shop.

Technical Details:

• Commissioned 27/04/45
• Displacement: 1420 tons standard, 2220 tons full load
• Length Overall: 301 ft 6 in (91.36m)
• Beam: 36 ft 6 in (11.06m)
• Draft: 12 ft (3.6m)
• Machinery: 2 x 4 Cylinder Triple Expansion Steam Engines of 2750 I.H.P. each.
• 2 Water Tube Boilers, Twin Screw.
• Speed 19/20 knots.
• Armament: 2 x 4 in. H.A./L.A. Guns.
• 3 x 40mm Bofors A.A.
• 10 x 20mm Oerlikon A.A.

Diamantina served in New Guinea and Solomon Island waters during the latter part of World War 2 and the surrenders of Japanese forces at Nauru and Ocean Islands were signed on board.

Click here for Diamantina's War Service

She paid off to Reserve in August, 1948. After reconstruction she recommissioned on 22 June, 1959 as a Survey and Oceanographic Research vessel. One result of this work was the discovery, in 1961, of the deepest place in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia. This sea trench is named the Diamantina Trench in her honour.

Diamantina acted as Escort Vessel for the Royal Yacht Britannia during the Queen's tour of Australia in March 1963.

Diamantina paid off in Sydney on 28 February, 1980 and was laid up pending disposal.

In September 1980, Diamantina was presented to the Queensland Maritime Museum and steamed to Brisbane in October of that year, being placed in the Dry Dock at South Brisbane.

Her significance to World War 2 maritime history is immense:

• She is one of only 2 surviving World War 2 veterans in the world upon which surrenders were signed
• She is the only survivor of a class of some 140 ships which saw extensive and successful service as convoy escorts in the Atlantic
• She is the largest World War 2 ship surviving in Australia

See Diamantina relaunched in the Brisbane River

See Diamantina return to the Dry Dock