HMAS Labuan (L3501)

HMAS ''Labuan'' (L3501) (formerly HMA ''LST 3501'') was a Mark III Tank Landing Ship that served in the Royal Navy (as HMS ''LST 3501'') during World War II, and with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1946 until 1951.

In RAN service, the landing ship was primarily used in support of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE). The vessel transported ANARE personnel and equipment to and from Heard Island and Macquarie Island. While returning from Heard Island in 1951, ''Labuan'' broke down and had to be towed to the mainland. The ship was paid off, and disposed of in 1955.

Design and construction

''LST 3501'' was built by Canadian Vickers at their shipyard in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 35 The vessel was launched on 31 August 1944. The Mark 3 LST had a light load displacement of , with a maximum beachable displacement of beaching. They were in length overall, with a beam of , and a maximum draught of at the stern. Propulsion was provided by triple expansion engines, which delivered to the two propellers. Maximum speed was , with a range of at . The LCTs had a ship's company of 104, and a maximum load of 168 troops, 18 40-ton tanks, 27 trucks, and 7 Landing Craft Mechanized. In RAN service, ''LST 3501'' was armed with ten 20 mm Oerlikons: four twin and two single mounts.

Operational history

''LST 3501'' operated with the Royal Navy during World War II.

In 1946, ''LST 3501'' and five other Mark 3 LSTs were loaned to the RAN. They were all commissioned into RAN service on 1 July 1946. In 1947, ''LST 3501'' was selected to assist in the establishment of, then provide logistic support to, the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) research facilities on Heard Island and Macquarie Island.Forbes, ''RAN Activities in the Southern Ocean'' The vessel was repainted yellow to assist with visual identification in Antarctic waters, and modified slightly to carry a Supermarine Walrus seaplane, which was launched by derrick. On 28 November 1947, ''LST 3501'' departed from Fremantle with fourteen ANARE personnel and twelve months of supplies, arriving at Heard Island on 12 December and offloading the supplies and scientists. On 5 January, the Walrus was lost during foul weather, and was not replaced.

The ship returned to Melbourne, where more stores and a second group of 13 ANARE personnel were loaded before ''LST 3501'' sailed to Macquarie Island on 28 February 1948, arriving seven days later. After unloading for the second time, the landing ship waited for the arrival of the research vessel in late March before returning to Australia.

''LST 3501'' was renamed HMAS ''Labuan'' on 16 December 1948, after the amphibious landings at Labuan. The 1948 ANARE expedition named Cape Labuan on Heard Island after the ship, and used names of officers and senior enlisted personnel for Lavett Bluff, Mount Dixon, Cape Lockyer, and Hayter Peak.Geographic Names Information System:

She returned to the islands on five occasions to deliver supplies and transfer personnel: Heard Island during January to March 1949, 1950, and 1951, and Macquarie Island in April 1949 and 1950.

Decommissioning and fate

The landing ship was heavily damaged during the 1951 visit to Heard Island. ''Labuan'' attempted to sail home, but broke down completely en route.Australian Antarctic Division, ''HMALST 3501/HMAS Labuan 1947–51'' The vessel had to be towed back to Fremantle, arriving on 1 March.

''Labuan'' paid off to reserve on 28 September 1951 and was sold for disposal on 9 November 1955.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Labuan
LST (3)-class tank landing ships of the Royal Australian Navy
1944 ships