# HMAS Quickmatch

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1942 Q and R-class destroyer

HMAS Quickmatch in 1955 History Australia Namesake The quick match, a fast burning match used for lighting cannon Builder J. Samuel White and Company Laid down 6 February 1941 Launched 11 April 1942 Commissioned 14 September 1942 Decommissioned 15 May 1950 Recommissioned 23 September 1955 Decommissioned 26 April 1963 Reclassified Anti-submarine frigate (1955) Motto "Swift to Strike" Honours and awards Battle honours: English Channel 1942 Atlantic 1943 Indian Ocean 1943–44 Sabang 1944 Pacific 1944–45 Okinawa 1945 Malaya 1957 Fate Used as barracks ship until 1972, when she was sold for scrap General characteristics (as launched) Class & type Q-class destroyer Displacement 1,750 tons standard 2,420 tons deep load Length 358 ft 3 in (109.19 m) length overall 339 ft 6 in (103.48 m) between perpendiculars Beam 35 ft 8 in (10.87 m) Propulsion 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Parsons Impulse turbines, 40,000 shp (30,000 kW) Speed 31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph) Complement 220 Armament 4 × QF 4.7 inch Mk IX guns 1 × quadruple 2-pounder pom-pom 6 × 20 mm Oerlikon guns 4 × Depth charge throwers 2 × quadruple 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tube sets

**HMAS *Quickmatch* (G92/D21/D292/F04)** was a [Q-class](/source/Q_and_R-class_destroyer) [destroyer](/source/Destroyer) operated by the [Royal Australian Navy](/source/Royal_Australian_Navy) (RAN). Although commissioned into the RAN in 1942, the ship was initially the property of the Royal Navy. *Quickmatch* served with both the [British Eastern Fleet](/source/British_Eastern_Fleet) and [British Pacific Fleet](/source/British_Pacific_Fleet) during World War II. In the 1950s, the destroyer was converted into an anti-submarine frigate. In 1957, *Quickmatch* operated in support of Malaya during the [Malayan Emergency](/source/Malayan_Emergency). The ship remained in service until 1963, and after use as an accommodation ship, was sold for [scrap](/source/Ship_breaking) in 1972.

## Design and construction

Main article: [Q and R-class destroyer](/source/Q_and_R-class_destroyer)

*Quickmatch* was one of eight Q-class destroyers constructed as a flotilla under the [War Emergency Programme](/source/War_Emergency_Programme_destroyers).[1] She had a standard displacement of 1,750 tons, and a deep load displacement of 2,420 tons.[1] *Quickmatch* was 358 feet 3 inches (109.19 m) [long overall](/source/Length_overall), and 339 feet 6 inches (103.48 m) long [between perpendiculars](/source/Between_perpendiculars), with a beam of 35 feet 8 inches (10.87 m).[1] Propulsion was provided by two [Admiralty 3-drum boilers](/source/Admiralty_3-drum_boiler) connected to Parsons Impulse turbines, which generated 40,000 shaft horsepower (30,000 kW) for the propeller shafts.[2] *Quickmatch* had a maximum speed of 31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph).[1] The ship's company consisted of 220 officers and sailors.[2]

The ship's main armament consisted of four [QF 4.7 inch Mk IX](/source/QF_4.7_inch_Mk_IX) guns in single turrets.[3] This was supplemented by a quadruple [2-pounder pom-pom](/source/2-pounder_pom-pom), and six [20 mm Oerlikon](/source/20_mm_Oerlikon) anti-aircraft guns. Four [depth-charge](/source/Depth-charge) throwers were fitted, with a payload of 70 charges carried, and two quadruple [21 inch (533 mm)](/source/British_21_inch_torpedo) torpedo tube sets were fitted, although a maximum of eight torpedoes were carried.[3]

The ship was laid down by [J. Samuel White and Company](/source/J._Samuel_White_and_Company) Limited at their shipyard in [Cowes](/source/Cowes), on the [Isle of Wight](/source/Isle_of_Wight), on 6 February 1941.[1] She was launched on 11 April 1942 by the wife of the company's deputy chairman.[1] *Quickmatch* was commissioned into the RAN on 14 September 1942.[1] Despite being commissioned into the RAN, *Quickmatch* remained the property of the British government until the early 1950s, when she was gifted to the RAN.[2] The ship's name came from the [quick match](/source/Quick_match), a fast burning match used for lighting [cannon](/source/Cannon).[1]

## Operational history

### World War II

From October 1942, *Quickmatch* operated as a convoy escort vessel; initially in British waters, then in the South Atlantic, then in the Indian Ocean. In July 1943, the ship rescued survivors from [*Jasper Park*](/source/SS_Jasper_Park), that was sunk by [U-boat](/source/U-boat) *[U-177](/source/U-177)*.[2] While in the Indian Ocean, the ship was assigned to a force dedicated to covering convoys between the Gulf of Aden and India.[2] In May 1944, the destroyer joined the [British Eastern Fleet](/source/British_Eastern_Fleet).[2] Shortly after, the destroyer formed part of the carrier screen during [Operation Transom](/source/Operation_Transom), an air raid on Japanese-held [Surabaya](/source/Surabaya).[2] This role was repeated in June during an air attack on the [Andaman Islands](/source/Andaman_Islands).[2]

In October, *Quickmatch* arrived in Australia for a refit.[2] After this, she remained in Australian waters until March 1945, when she was reassigned to the [British Pacific Fleet](/source/British_Pacific_Fleet).[2] As part of this force, *Quickmatch* took part in operations in support of the [American seizure of Okinawa](/source/Battle_of_Okinawa) and [attacks on the Japanese home islands](/source/Japan_campaign).[2] The ship received six [battle honours](/source/Battle_honour) for her wartime service: "English Channel 1942", "Atlantic 1943", "Indian Ocean 1943–44", "Sabang 1944", "Pacific 1944–45", and "Okinawa 1945".[4][5]

### Post-war and frigate conversion

Over the following years, *Quickmatch* made several deployments to Japanese and Korean waters, with the rest of her time spent operating around Australia.[2] On 15 May 1950, *Quickmatch* paid off for a major refit in which she was converted to an anti-submarine frigate at [Williamstown](/source/Williamstown%2C_Victoria) Naval Dockyard in Victoria. She was recommissioned on 23 September 1955.[2] Afterwards, she was deployed to Singapore as part of Australia's contribution to the [Far East Strategic Reserve](/source/Far_East_Strategic_Reserve).[6] In 1957, *Quickmatch* operated in support of British Commonwealth forces deployed during the [Malayan Emergency](/source/Malayan_Emergency), for which she was later awarded her seventh battle honour, "Malaya 1957".[4][5]

*Quickmatch*, along with [HMS *Cavendish*](/source/HMS_Cavendish_(R15)) rescued survivors when the stores vessel [HMAS *Woomera*](/source/HMAS_Woomera) exploded and sank off Sydney Heads on 11 October 1960.[7]

On 10 November 1960 *Quickmatch* rescued the crew of an Indonesian [Proa](/source/Proa) with failed engines near [Singapore](/source/Singapore).[8]

## Decommissioning and fate

*Quickmatch* performed routine duties until she paid off to reserve at Williamstown on 26 April 1963. After paying off she served as an accommodation ship until she was sold for scrap to the Fujita Salvage Company Limited of [Osaka](/source/Osaka) in Japan on 15 February 1972. The ship departed Melbourne for Japan under tow on 6 July 1972.[9]

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Cassells100_1-7) Cassells, *The Destroyers*, p. 100

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-Cassells101_2-12) Cassells, *The Destroyers*, p. 101

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cassells87_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cassells87_3-1) Cassells, *The Destroyers*, p. 87

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-newhonours_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-newhonours_4-1) ["Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184920/http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours). Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours) on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-honourslist_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-honourslist_5-1) ["Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110614064156/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf) (PDF). Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf) (PDF) on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Gillett & Graham, *Warships of Australia*, p. 182

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** John Gorton, Minister for the Navy (11 October 1960). *[Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)](/source/Hansard)*. Commonwealth of Australia: Senate. p. 977.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Frigate in Rescue Work"](https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/196101). *[Navy News](/source/Navy_News)*. January 1961. p. 1. Retrieved 25 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Gillett & Graham, *Warships of Australia*, pp. 182–183

## References

- Cassells, Vic (2000). *The Destroyers: Their Battles and Their Badges*. East Roseville, New South Wales: Simon & Schuster. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7318-0893-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7318-0893-2). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [46829686](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/46829686).

- Gillett, Ross; Graham, Colin (1977). *Warships of Australia*. Adelaide, South Australia: Rigby. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7270-0472-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7270-0472-7).

- Raven, Alan; Roberts, John (1978). *War Built Destroyers O to Z Classes*. London: Bivouac Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85680-010-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85680-010-4).

- Whitley, M. J. (1988). *Destroyers of World War 2*. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87021-326-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87021-326-1).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [HMAS Quickmatch (G92)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:HMAS_Quickmatch_(G92)).

- ["Details of war service for HMS/HMAS Quickmatch"](http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-51Q-Quickmatch.htm).

- ["HMAS Quickmatch ship history"](http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-quickmatch). Seapower Centre – Australia.

v t e Q- and R-class destroyers Q class Royal Navy Quilliam [leader] Quadrant Quail Quality Queenborough Quentin Quiberon Quickmatch Royal Australian Navy Quadrant Quality Queenborough Quiberon Quickmatch R class Royal Navy Rotherham [leader] Racehorse Raider Rapid Redoubt Relentless Rocket Roebuck Other operators Indian Navy Rajput (ex-Rotherham) Rana (ex-Raider) Ranjit (ex-Redoubt) Royal Netherlands Navy Banckert (ex-Quilliam) Preceded by: P class Followed by: S class List of destroyers of the Royal Navy List of destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy

v t e Type 15 frigates Royal Navy Grenville Rapid Relentless Rocket Roebuck Troubridge Ulster Ulysses Undaunted Undine Urania Urchin Ursa Venus Verulam Vigilant Virago Volage Wakeful Whirlwind Wizard Wrangler Zest Royal Australian Navy Quadrant Queenborough Quiberon Quickmatch Royal Canadian Navy Algonquin Crescent Crusader South African Navy Jan van Riebeeck (ex-Wessex) Simon van der Stel (ex-Whelp) Vrystaat (ex-Wrangler) Preceded by: Bay class Followed by: Type 16 frigates List of frigates of the Royal Navy List of frigates of the Royal Australian Navy List of frigates of the Royal Canadian Navy

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [HMAS Quickmatch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Quickmatch) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Quickmatch?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.