HMAS Gladstone (J324/M324) was a Bathurst-class corvette constructed during World War II, serving primarily as a convoy escort and anti-submarine vessel. Built by Walkers Limited in Maryborough, Queensland, she was laid down on 4 August 1942, launched on 26 November 1942, and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 22 March 1943. The vessel displaced approximately 650 tons, measuring 186 feet (57 meters) in length with a beam of 31 feet (9.4 meters) and a draught of 8.5 feet (2.6 meters). Her propulsion system consisted of two Yarrow water-tube boilers powering two triple-expansion steam engines, delivering 1,000 indicated horsepower each, which enabled her to reach a top speed of 15 knots. Her armament included a 4-inch HA gun, three 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons (later supplemented by a 40 mm Bofors), machine guns, and depth charges, with a crew complement of around 85 personnel. HMAS Gladstone’s wartime service involved escorting convoys between Queensland and New Guinea, notably participating in a convoy that ran aground on Bougainville Reef in December 1943. Despite damaging her starboard propeller, she managed to refloat herself and return to Brisbane for repairs. She later operated from Milne Bay and Morotai, engaging in anti-submarine patrols and bombardments, including an attack on Japanese barges off Halmahera in May 1945. Post-war, Gladstone played a role in the Japanese surrender of Timor at Koepang, conducted surveillance in the Lesser Sunda Islands, and relocated soldiers from Darwin to Timor. She was reclassified as a training ship at Flinders Naval Depot in 1946. After being paid off in 1946, she was sold to the Port Phillip Sea Pilots Association, renamed Akuna, and used as a relief and accommodation ship from 1958. Later, she was sold into private ownership, serving various roles including rescuing Vietnamese refugees in Southeast Asia. Ultimately, the vessel was re-registered as a Panamanian-flagged yacht named Akuna II before being scrapped in Bangkok in 1983. HMAS Gladstone's service exemplifies the versatility and enduring maritime significance of the Bathurst-class corvettes during and after WWII.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.