Vessels

Diamantina

Welcome aboard the Diamantina - (nominated as a Queensland Icon) a Royal Australian Navy frigate built in Queensland and commissioned in 1945. Tour the ship from stem to stern and from bridge to engine room. See the cramped quarters in which the crew slept and ate their meals.

Visitors are able to visit most parts of the ship and experience living conditions on a World War 2 naval vessel. View a variety of exhibitions within the ship which portray the ship's role and other naval memorabilia. The Engine Room is in pristine condition and is accessible to visitors. The radio room is maintained in operating condition and is used regularly to participate in world-wide radio communication activities. On the quarterdeck, stand in the exact place where the Japanese garrisons on Nauru Island and Ocean Island signed surrender documents at the end of World War 2.

History

The former HMAS Diamantina is a River Class Frigate, designed in Great Britain and built in Australia. Although designed as an anti-submarine vessel, her primary duties were in bombardment support of army operations. 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.

Diamantina served in New Guinea waters during the latter part of World War 2 and the surrenders of Japanese forces at both 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 then deepest known 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