HMAS Goorangai

The HMAS Goorangai was a steam driven minesweeper, originally built as a trawler Her overall length was 117ft, her beam was 22ft and her draught was 11ft. She was requisitioned from commercial trawler operations by the RAN and put under the command of Captain McGregor. On the 20th November 1940 while travelling from Queenscliff to Portsea (possibly to replenish her beer supply) she was struck amidships by the outward bound MV Duntroon. The Duntroon was a troopship loaded with troops and was proceeding with all lights extinguished, as was the practice during the war. Because of this she was also unable to stop and render any assistance. The Goorangai sank within minutes and all onboard, 24 sailors and 3 officers perished. Because the wreck lies in the main shipping channel she was demolished with explosives in January 1941. The remains of the wreck are very scattered but usually covered in fish life. Only 6 bodies were ever recovered from the wreck and because of this she is a recognised war grave. She now lies in around 15 meters water with the highest sections rising up to 10 meters. Location: Graveyard Depth: 12m to 14m