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Tasmanian Seafarers' Memorial
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HMAS Goorangai (1940)
The plaque reads ...
HMAS 'Goorangai'
First auxillary minesweeping trawler
collided with troop carrying coastal
liner "Duntroon' in shipping channel
Port Phillip Bay, Victoria 20.11.1940.
Rapidly sank with all hands including
Eric Markham McLoughlin H1592 stoker
born Hobart 30.08.1896 - served WW1 & 2.
During World War II, many Tasmanians served their country on the high seas in vessels ranging from Australian and Allied Navy vessels to requisitioned ships of various sizes and capabilities.
Built in 1919 as a commercial fishing trawler Goorangai operated off the New South Wales coast for the Cam Line fleet. In 1939, she was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy and outfitted as an auxiliary minesweeper. In this role she was deployed to Bass Strait sweeping for mines laid by the German minelayer Passat.
At 1700 hours on 20 November 1940, she returned to Queenscliff, but later, after a deterioration in the weather, left for Portsea and shelter. While crossing the bay and in the south channel, about 2 miles inside the Heads, HMAS Goorangai was struck amidships by the outward-bound Duntroon. Goorangai sank immediately. No survivors were found, despite the efforts of the Duntroon's crew.
Goorangai settled in 50 feet (15 metres), only her masts being visible the next morning. As the trawler lay in the middle of the main shipping channel, the wreck was blown up on 20 January 1941.
Although not lost in an enemy action, Goorangai was the nation's first naval loss of World War II.
A crew member of HMAS Goorangai was the Hobart born stoker, Eric Markham McLoughlin, a Tasmanian serviceman who served in the RAN during both the First and Second World Wars.
See also Royal Navy page.