Australian Naval History on 17 November 1947

The Antarctic Research Vessel HMAS WYATT EARP, (CMDR K. E. Oom, OBE, RAN), was commissioned. As FANEFJORD, (wooden steamer), she was laid down in Norway in 1919. Purchased, and re-named WYATT EARP by US millionaire Lincoln Ellsworth in 1933, she made several runs to the Antarctic. In 1939 the Australian Government purchased her for Antarctic exploration, then re-named HMAS WONGALA for WWII service. WYATT EARP made seven voyages to the Antarctic for ANARE, 1947-1948.