The Northern Patrol

Author

Gillett, Ross

Subjects

None noted

Tags

None noted.

RAN Ships

None noted.

Publication

December 1981 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)

An embarrassing moment in the boat’s career occurred in 1937, after her arrest of the Japanese trawlers Takachiho Maru No. 3 and New Guinea Maru. After laying up overnight en-route to Darwin, Larrakia’s starter motor failed due to two flat batteries. As one of the boat’s crew members had been transferred to Takachiho Maru No. 3, it was a simple matter to pass a tow line between the Japanese boat and Larrakia. The newspapers took the matter to heart, giving the patrol boat a bad time in the press.

Earlier the same year a second vessel, named Rooganah, had been suggested as a back-up for the Larrakia. Previously operated by the Commonwealth Health Service, the eight knot Rooganah was shipped to Darwin on the Marella. Haultain’s opinion of the new vessel was very poor, with the hull and engine in very bad condition. After only a brief career in the region, Rooganah was returned to the Health Service and her crew used as a reserve for Larrakia.

A built-for-the-purpose Northern Territory patrol vessel emerged from the builders in 1938. The Kuru, as she was christened, was employed on similar duties to Larrakia. Her top speed was only 13 knots and she displaced 55 tons gross.

The Royal Australian Navy requisitioned both Larrakia and Kuru for service in World War Two, commissioning in 1939 and December 1941, respectively. Larrakia operated as a channel patrol vessel and paid off in 1945. She was purchased for the sum of 50 pounds sterling, but was left high and dry in a Darwin backyard by the new owner, with her upperworks of wood rotting away. Kuru paid off in December 1943, after sinking during a heavy storm and eventually was blown ashore.

Larrakia, although renowned for her numerous mechanical breakdowns, was expected to travel 1,800 miles on some missions and at most times in extreme temperatures. Her powers to deal with infringing fishing boats were handicapped by inept Government regulations and she was therefore unable to completely fulfill the tasks for which the boat was acquired. The conditions onboard for crew members within the boat’s 45 feet were very cramped, and only 40 gallons of fresh water for all purposes was carried! In his book ‘Watch off Arnhem Land‘, Captain Haultain states, ‘. . . consideration must be given to the length of patrols when assessing performance and maintenance problems’ and ‘It was most galling to us when uninformed opinion scoffed at Larrakia’s breakdowns, without a thought to the conditions under which the gallant little boat laboured.’

Larrakia – Specifications