View source for HMAS Labuan (L3501)

{{other ships|HMAS Labuan}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:HMAS Labuan.jpg|300px|HMAS ''Labuan'' leaving [[Williamstown, Victoria]] for [[Macquarie Island]] in May 1949]]
|Ship caption=HMAS ''Labuan'' leaving [[Williamstown, Victoria]] for [[Macquarie Island]] in May 1949
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[Australia]]
|Ship flag={{Shipboxflag|Australia|naval}}
|Ship name=''LST 3501''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship builder=[[Canadian Vickers]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=31 August 1944
|Ship commissioned=
|Ship renamed=HMAS ''Labuan'' (16 December 1948)
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=Yes
|Ship launched=31 August 1944
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=28 September 1951
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=Sold
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Ship class=[[Landing Ship Tank]] Mark 3
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|2140|t}} light
*{{convert|3117|t}} beaching
|Ship length={{convert|345|ft|abbr=on}} [[length overall|overall]]
|Ship beam={{convert|55|ft|3|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|13|ft|1|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=Triple expansion engine, {{convert|5500|hp|abbr=on}}, two propellers
|Ship speed={{convert|13|kn}}
|Ship range={{convert|10000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}
|Ship capacity=18 40-ton tanks, 27 trucks, and 7 [[Landing Craft Mechanized|LCM]]s
|Ship troops=168 troops
|Ship complement=104
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=10 × [[20 mm Oerlikon]]s (four twin, two single mounts)
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''HMAS ''Labuan'' (L3501)''' (formerly '''HMA ''LST 3501''''') was a Mark III [[Tank Landing Ship]] that served in the [[Royal Navy]] (as '''HMS ''LST 3501''''') during World War II, and with the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) from 1946 until 1951.

In RAN service, the landing ship was primarily used in support of the [[Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition]] (ANARE). The vessel transported ANARE personnel and equipment two and from [[Heard Island]] and [[Macquarie Island]]. While returning from Heard Island in 1951, ''Labuan'' broke down and had to be towed to the mainland. The ship was [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|paid off]], and disposed of in 1955.

==Design and construction==
''LST 3501'' was built by [[Canadian Vickers]] at their shipyard in [[Montreal, Quebec]], Canada.<ref name=Gillett35>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 35</ref> The vessel was launched on 31 August 1944.{{citation needed|date=June 2011}} The Mark 3 LST had a light load displacement of {{convert|2140|t}}, with a maximum beachable displacement of {{convert|3117|t}} beaching.<ref name=Gillett35/> They were {{convert|345|ft}} in [[length overall]], with a beam of {{convert|55|ft|3|in}}, and a maximum draught of {{convert|13|ft|1|in}} at the stern.<ref name=Gillett35/> Propulsion was provided by triple expansion engines, which delivered {{convert|5500|hp}} to the two propellers.<ref name=Gillett35/> Maximum speed was {{convert|13|kn}}, with a range of {{convert|10000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}.<ref name=Gillett35/> The LCTs had a ship's company of 104, and a maximum load of 168 troops, 18 40-ton tanks, 27 trucks, and 7 [[Landing Craft Mechanized]].<ref name=Gillett35/> In RAN service, ''LST 3501'' was armed with ten [[20 mm Oerlikon]]s: four twin and two single mounts.<ref name=Gillett35/>

==Operational history==
{{expand section|date=January 2015|reason=Wartime operations}}
''LST 3501'' operated with the Royal Navy during World War II.{{citation needed|date=June 2011}}

In 1946, ''LST 3501'' and five other Mark 3 LSTs were loaned to the RAN.<ref name=Gillett35/> They were all commissioned into RAN service on 1 July 1946.<ref name=Gillett35/> In 1947, ''LST 3501'' was selected to assist in the establishment of, then provide logistic support to, the [[Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition]] (ANARE) research facilities on [[Heard Island]] and [[Macquarie Island]].<ref name=Gillett35/><ref name=SPCsouthocean>Forbes, ''RAN Activities in the Southern Ocean''</ref> The vessel was repainted yellow to assist with visual identification in Antarctic waters, and modified slightly to carry a [[Supermarine Walrus]] seaplane, which was launched by [[derrick]].<ref name=Gillett35/> On 28 November 1947, ''LST 3501'' departed from Fremantle with fourteen ANARE personnel and twelve months of supplies, arriving at Heard Island on 12 December and offloading the supplies and scientists.<ref name=SPCsouthocean/> On 5 January, the Walrus was lost during foul weather, and was not replaced.<ref name=Gillett35/>

The ship returned to Melbourne, where more stores and a second group of 13 ANARE personnel were loaded before ''LST 3501'' sailed to Macquarie Island on 28 February 1948, arriving seven days later.<ref name=SPCsouthocean/> After unloading for the second time, the landing ship waited for the arrival of the research vessel {{HMAS|Wyatt Earp||6}} in late March before returning to Australia.<ref name=SPCsouthocean/>

''LST 3501'' was renamed HMAS ''Labuan'' on 16 December 1948, after the [[Battle of Labuan|amphibious landings at Labuan]].<ref name=SPCsouthocean/> The 1948 ANARE expedition named [[Cape Labuan]] on Heard Island after the ship, and used names of officers and senior enlisted personnel for [[Lavett Bluff]], [[Mount Dixon (Heard Island)|Mount Dixon]], [[Cape Lockyer]], and [[Hayter Peak]].<ref name=gnis>[[Geographic Names Information System]]:<br />{{cite gnis |type=antarid |id=8335 |name=Labuan, Cape |accessdate=14 January 2015}}<br />{{cite gnis |type=antarid |id=8601 |name=Lavett Bluff |accessdate=14 January 2015}}<br />{{cite gnis |type=antarid |id=3911 |name=Dixon, Mount |accessdate=14 January 2015}}<br />{{cite gnis |type=antarid |id=8957|name=Lockyer, Cape |accessdate=14 January 2015}}<br />{{cite gnis |type=antarid |id=6526 |name=Hayter Peak |accessdate=14 January 2015}}</ref>

She returned to the islands on five occasions to deliver supplies and transfer personnel: Heard Island during January to March 1949, 1950, and 1951, and Macquarie Island in April 1949 and 1950.<ref name=SPCsouthocean/>

==Decommissioning and fate==
The landing ship was heavily damaged during the 1951 visit to Heard Island.<ref name=SPCsouthocean/> ''Labuan'' attempted to sail home, but broke down completely en route.<ref name=AAD>Australian Antarctic Division, ''HMALST 3501/HMAS Labuan 1947–51''</ref> The vessel had to be towed back to Fremantle, arriving on 1 March.<ref name=AAD/>

''Labuan'' paid off to reserve on 28 September 1951 and was sold for disposal on 9 November 1955.<ref name=Gillett35/>

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
;Books
*{{cite journal |last=Forbes |first=Andrew |date=October 2006 |title=RAN Activities in the Southern Ocean |journal=Semaphore |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Royal Australian Navy |location=Canberra, ACT |volume=2006 |issue=18 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/media-room/publications/semaphore-october-2006 |access-date=11 January 2015}}
*{{cite book |last=Gillett |first=Ross |title=Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946 |year=1988 |publisher=Child & Associates |location=Brookvale, NSW |isbn=0-86777-219-0 |oclc=23470364}}

;Websites
*{{cite web |url=http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/transportation/shipping/the-early-years-1947-53 |title=HMALST 3501/HMAS Labuan 1947–51 |date=11 June 2002 |work=About Antarctica |publisher=Australian Antarctic Division |access-date=14 January 2015}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.navyhistory.org.au/the-ran-in-antarctic-waters/ |title=The RAN in Antarctic Waters |last=Vickridge |first=G.L.W. |date=30 January 1972 |publisher=Naval Historical Society of Australia |access-date=21 December 2008}}

{{Portal bar|Australia|Royal Australian Navy|Engineering}}
{{Royal Australian Navy}}
{{LST-3 class tank landing ship}}
{{RAN amphibious warfare ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Labuan}}
[[Category:LST (3)-class tank landing ships of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:1944 ships]]