HMAS Waterhen

This service remembers HMAS Waterhen and all those who served aboard her.

A W-Class destroyer built in England in 1918, HMAS Waterhen was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1933. During the Second World War, she formed part of the 'Scrap Iron Flotilla' and served in the Mediterranean. Late on 29 June 1941, she was attacked by dive bombers, resulting in a hull breach below the waterline near her engine and boiler rooms. Unable to be salvaged, she sank with no casualties early on 30 June. She was the first RAN ship to be lost to enemy action during the Second World War.

The current HMAS Waterhen is a shore establishment in Sydney Harbour. The base is home to the RAN's mine warfare forces.