| Navy | The Royal Australian Navy |
| Type | Minesweeper |
| Class | Bathurst |
| Pennant | K 34 |
| Built by | Evans Deakin Ltd. (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) |
| Ordered | 7 Aug 1941 |
| Laid down | 6 Jul 1942 |
| Launched | 20 Feb 1943 |
| Commissioned | 16 Jun 1943 |
| End service | 11 Apr 1947 |
| History | Decommissioned to reserve on 11 April 1947. |
Commands listed for HMAS Ararat (K 34)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | T/Lt. Norman Montague Muzzell, RANR(S) | 11 Jun 1943 | 28 Jan 1944 |
| 2 | Lt. John Arthur Thomas, RANR | 28 Jan 1944 | 14 Feb 1944 |
| 3 | T/Lt. Norman Montague Muzzell, RANR(S) | 14 Feb 1944 | Oct 1945 |
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Notable events involving Ararat include:
28 Sep 1943
Convoy QL 16.
This convoy departed Brisbane on 28 September 1943.
It was made up of the following transports; Balikpapan (Dutch, 1279 GRT, built 1938), Carola (Panamanian, 3842 GRT, built 1916), Colorado (American, 2689 GRT, built 1920), Dundula (Australian, 3344 GRT, built 1920), Duntroon (Australian, 10346 GRT, built 1935), Green Gables Park (Canadian, 7132 GRT, built 1943), John Evans (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Mangola (British, 3352 GRT, built 1920), Ozark (American, 2689 GRT, built 1919) and Tambua (Australian, 3566 GRT, built 1938).
The auxiliary minelayer HMAS Bungaree (A/Cdr. R.B.A. Hunt, OBE, RAN) and Tank Landing Ship USS LST 170 (Lt. T.N. Kelly, USCGR) were also part of the convoy.
On departure from Brisbane the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN), minesweeper HMAS Ararat (T/Lt. N.M. Muzzell, RANR(S)) and the patrol vessels USS PC 1122 (Lt. J.J. Peck, USNR), USS PC 1123 (Lt. W.R. Plage, USNR) and USS SC 650 (Lt.(jg) R.E. Huff, USNR).
Around 0300K/30, near Lady Elliot Island, HMAS Vendetta parted company with the convoy to proceed to Caloundra.
Around 1040K/30, the convoy was dispersed off Bustard Head.
15 Feb 1944
HMAS Stuart (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), HMAS Gascoyne (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) J. Donovan, RAN), HMAS Ararat ( T/Lt. N.M. Muzzell, RANR(S)) and HMAS Stawell (T/Lt. S.J. Griffith, RANR(S)) conducted exercises off Milne Bay. (1)
20 Jul 1944
Convoy BG 102.
This convoy departed Langemak Bay (Cape Crepin) at 1700K/20 for Humboldt Bay (Hollandia).
The convoy was made up of the following transports; Joseph P. Bradley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Norlago (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944) and Sacajawea (American, 7180 GRT, built 1942).
The landing ship LST-456 (T/Lt. G.W. Prue, USN) and gasoline tanker USS Pasquotank (1139 GRT, built 1943) (Lt. A.R. Norris, USNR) were also part of the convoy.
On departure from Langemak Bay the convoy was escorted by the minesweepers HMAS Ararat (T/Lt. N.M. Muzzell, RANR(S)), HMAS Bendigo (T/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Litchfield, RANR(S)), HMAS Glenelg (T/Lt. L. Robson, RANR(S)), HMAS Geelong (Lt. M.E. Mathers, RANR) and YMS-334 (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Loehr, Jr., USNR).
Around 1640K/22, the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) joined the convoy. She came from Aitape.
The convoy arrived at Hunboldt Bay around 0800K/23.
Sources
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Stuart for February 1944