HMAS Diamantina, 1965

HMAS Diamantina was ordered as part of Australia's shipbuilding program during the Second World War. Twelve of these Australian built frigates were to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy. She was recommissioned in 1959 as a survey and oceanographic research vessel. Based in Fremantle, she had research cruises in the Indian, Pacific and southern oceans. In February 1960, scientists aboard Diamantina discovered a fissure in the ocean floor west of Cape Leeuwin which dropped to depths of over 4,000 fathoms. Now known as the Diamantina Trench, it was then the deepest known part of the Indian Ocean. Her research was considered very valuable during the Cold War. In addition, the ship carried out training, relief and 'show the flag' duties.

When she was decommissioned for the last time in February 1980, she was the last of the wartime frigates having steamed 615,755 miles since commissioning. She steamed under her own power to Brisbane in October of that year and was placed in her permanent drydock berth at the Museum.

[Taken from the Historic Naval Ships Association history of the Diamantina.]