Explorer-class general-purpose vessel

MV Bass moored off Ballast Point in 2012
Class overview
Name	Explorer
Builders	Walkers Limited, Maryborough, Queensland
Operators	Royal Australian Navy
Built	1959-1960
In service	1960 to 1995
In commission	1960-1982
Completed	2
Active	0
General characteristics
Type	General Purpose Vessel
Displacement	207 tonnes standard 260 tonnes full load
Length	90 ft (27 m) between perpendiculars 101 ft (31 m) overall
Beam	22 ft (6.7 m)
Draught	8 ft (2.4 m)
Propulsion	Diesel twin screw, 342 shaft horsepower (255 kW)
Speed	9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Complement	14
Armament	.50 cal machine guns fitted as required

The Explorer class was a two-ship class of general purpose vessels of the Royal Australian Navy that served between 1960 and 1995. ^[1]

Design

The Explorer class was a two-ship class of general purpose vessels built for the RAN. ^[2] The ships had a displacement of 207 tons at standard load and 260 tons at full load. ^[2] Each was 90 feet (27 m) long between perpendiculars ^{[ citation needed ]} and 101 feet (31 m) long overall, had a beam of 22 feet (6.7 m), and a draught of 8 feet (2.4 m). ^[2] Propulsion machinery consisted of GM diesels, which supplied 348 shaft horsepower (260 kW) to the two propeller screws, and allowed the vessel to reach 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph). ^[2] The ship's company consisted of 14 personnel. ^[2] The ship's armament of light weapons (usually .50 calibre machine guns^{[ citation needed ]}) were only fitted as needed. ^[2]

The two vessel, HMAS Bass and HMAS Banks, were built by Walkers Limited of Maryborough, Queensland. ^[3] Both were laid down in 1959, and were commissioned into the RAN in 1960. ^[3]

Operational history

The Explorers' primary roles were hydrographic survey and reservist training, among other duties. ^[2]

In December 1982, both vessels were decommissioned. ^[2] Despite this, they remained active in training until the mid-1990s. ^[2]

Ships

• HMAS Bass - Sold 1994. ^[1]
• HMAS Banks - Sold 1995. ^[1]

References

Citations

1. Wilson, Royal Australian Navy 21st Century Warships, p. 37
2. Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 46
3. Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 47

Bibliography

• Gillett, Ross (1988). Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946. Brookvale, NSW: Child & Associates. ISBN   0-86777-219-0. OCLC   23470364.
• Wilson, Michael (1999). Royal Australian Navy 21st Century Warships: Naval auxiliaries 1911 to 1999 (including Defence Maritime Services). Vol. Profile No. 4 (Revised ed.). Marrickville, NSW: Topmill Pty Ltd. ISBN   978-1-876270-72-8. OCLC   223731505.