The boom defence vessel HMAS KIMBLA, was commissioned. KIMBLA was laid down in Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD, on 4 November 1953, and launched on 23 March 1955. She was later converted to a trials and oceanographic research vessel in 1958-59. Nicknamed “The Snail”, due to her maximum speed of 11 knots, she was decommissioned in