Williamstown Naval Dockyard
HMA Naval Dockyard, Williamstown · Her Majesty's Australian Naval Dockyard, Williamstown · HM Naval Dockyard Williamstown · Williamstown Dockyard
1942 – 1988
Commonwealth naval dockyard at Williamstown, Melbourne, that built, refitted and repaired warships for the Royal Australian Navy, including frigates and the Daring-class destroyer HMAS Vendetta.
How it came into existence
Formed in 1942, when the Royal Australian Navy requisitioned the Williamstown dockyard from the Melbourne Harbor Trust for wartime naval work; it was then run by the Department of the Navy as HMA Naval Dockyard, Williamstown. The yard had opened in 1913 as the Victorian State Shipbuilding Yard and had been owned by the Commonwealth from 1918 until its sale to the Melbourne Harbor Trust in 1924.
Changes during its life
- 30 November 1973Moved to the Department of Defence when the Department of the Navy was abolished.
- 7 May 1982Moved to the new Department of Defence Support.
- 13 December 1984Moved to the Department of Defence as part of the Office of Defence Production when the Department of Defence Support was abolished.
How it ended
Sold to Australian Marine Engineering Consolidated Ltd (AMECON): the Minister for Defence, Kim Beazley, announced the sale in December 1987 and January 1988 (sources differ on the date and on the year of sale), and AMECON took over the yard in 1988 (the exact date is not confirmed). AMECON used it to build the ANZAC-class frigates, and it later passed to Tenix and BAE Systems Australia.
Main functions
- Construction of warships for the Royal Australian Navy
- Refit and repair of naval vessels
- Dry-docking and ship engineering services
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Defence.
Lineage
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Sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.