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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

HMAS Reserve (W-149)
ex
 HMRT Reserve (W-149)

BAT-11

BAT-11 transferred to the Royal Navy in 1942, transferred to Australia in 1943
Favourite Class Rescue Tug:
  • Laid down, 18 May 1942, as Levingston Hull 248, at Levingston Shipbuilding Co., Orange, TX.
  • Launched, 18 July 1942
  • Delivered to the US Navy and transferred to Great Britain, 12 October 1942, under terms of the Lend Lease Act.
  • Commissioned into the Royal Navy as His Majesty's Rescue Tug HMRT Reserve (W-149)
  • Transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia Salvage Board, 27 August 1943
  • Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Reserve (W-149)
  • Returned to US custody, 2 September 1945, simultaneously Lend Lease to Australia
  • Returned to US custody, 2 August 1948
  • Sold by the Maritime Commission Foreign Liquidation Sales, 2 August 1948, to Australia
  • Paid off by Australia (decommissioned) 19 October 1953
  • Sold, 21 September 1961, renamed Pacific Reserve
  • Renamed Polaris in 1970
  • Final Disposition, deleted in 1990, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 835 t.(fl)
    Length 143'
    Beam 33' 10" (extreme)
    Draft 13' 2" (limiting)
    Speed 13 kts. (trial)
    Complement
    5 Officers
    40 Enlisted
    Largest Boom Capacity 4 t.
    Armament
    one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two 20mm single gun mounts
    Fuel Capacity
    Diesel 1300 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one General Motors Diesel-electric model 12-278A
    single Fairbanks Morse Main Reduction Gear
    Ship's Service Generators
    one Diesel-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.
    one Diesel-drive 30Kw 120V D.C.
    single propeller, 1,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    BAT-11 46k Starboard view of the HMAS Reserve (W-149) moored at Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
    Australian War Memorial, Photo No. 301279    		 Mike Green
    BAT-11 134k HMAS Reserve (W-149) guides an unknown frigate into Williamstown, Melbourne, Victoria, circa 1946.
    Photo Allan C. Green (1878-1954), Green Collection, State Library of Victoria (Latrobe Library).    		 Robert Hurst
    BAT-11 116k HMAS Reserve (W-149) moored starboard side to, while looking smart with her life raft paddles fan mounted, circa 1950s, location unknown.
    Photo from the collection of the late Eric Hogben, courtesy of Geoff Eastwood, Sydney.    		 Robert Hurst
    BAT-11 96k HMAS Reserve (W-149) under way, circa 1950s, location unknown.
    Photo from the collection of the late Eric Hogben, courtesy of Geoff Eastwood, Sydney    		 Robert Hurst
    BAT-11 94k HMAS Reserve (W-149) moored pierside probably at Port Philip Bay and most likely taken in the Port Melbourne area with the background view towards Point Ormond and Brighton, circa 1950s.
    Photo from the collection of the late Eric Hogben, courtesy of Geoff Eastwood, Sydney.    		 Robert Hurst
    BAT-11 84k Aerial port side view of HMAS Reserve (W-149) under way circa 1951.
    Australian War Memorial photo No. 301278    		 Wikipedia
    BAT-11 196k HMAS Reserve (W-149) towing the merchant vessel Palana independently, 3 November 1951. Reserve is altering course into the wind to hold the Palana steady.
    Australian War Memorial ID # 305958. Copyright has expired.    		 Robert Hurst
    BAT-11 50k HMAS Reserve (W-149) moored pierside at Port Melbourne, Victoria, circa 1950-59.
    Australian War Memorial ID # 301279. Copyright has expired.    		 Robert Hurst
    BAT-11
    0940b1109    		 107k HMAS Reserve (W-149) underway, date and location unknown.
    Photo courtesy K .F. Caldwell, Esq.    		 Robert Hurst
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 2 December 2022