HMAS Vigilant

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HMAS Vigilant, later renamed HMAS Sleuth and then HMAS Hawk, was an Australian patrol boat used by the Royal Australian Navy in World War II. It was the 120th ship built by Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney and the first aluminium ship built in Australia. PV Vigilant was designed and built at Cockatoo Island in 1937–38 for the Department of Trade and Customs to patrol waters north of Australia, working with the vessel Kuru. It was based at Townsville and, while still in sea trials, was requisitioned by the Navy in October 1940 and commissioned as HMAS Vigilant on 12 November 1940 as an auxiliary patrol vessel. The deck awnings were removed at the outbreak of the Pacific War.

The ship was 102 feet (31 m) long, displaced 106 tons, and powered by two Gleniffer diesel engines (320 hp each), giving a speed of about 14.7 knots. It carried two motor lifeboats, a crew of about 15, and was armed with a 3-pounder gun that was later replaced by a 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun, along with light arms including Bren guns.

Vigilant was moved to Darwin in 1941 to help protect the harbour approaches. During the Bombing of Darwin it engaged attacking aircraft and helped rescue survivors in Darwin Harbour. It also took part in the Battle of Timor from May 1942, making supply runs to Timor and assisting in the search for survivors from HMAS Armidale, while also resupplying corvettes with depth charges.

The ship was renamed HMAS Sleuth on 17 April 1944 and then HMAS Hawk on 13 March 1945. It was paid off from the Navy on 12 November 1945 and returned to the Department of Trade and Customs as PV Vigilant, serving as a whaling patrol ship off Western Australia until 1965. It was scuttled off Sydney in April 1966.

Honours include Darwin 1942–43 and Pacific 1942–43. In 2010, the Royal Australian Navy decided that future ships named HMAS Vigilant could carry these honours. The home port was originally Townsville, then Darwin. Yard number 120; launched 12 February 1938; commissioned 12 November 1940.