HMAS Whang Pu
| Industry | Shipping, Navigation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , British Hong Kong |
| Parent | John Swire and Sons Ltd |
HMAS Whang Pu (FY-03), also known as SS Wang Phu, was a river vessel weighing 3,204 tons operated by The China Navigation Company. During World War II, she was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy. The Chinese name translates to "Happy Times." She belonged to the group of vessels termed the "Allied Chinese Ships" that were requisitioned for service with the RAN.
Pre-war service
Constructed in 1920 at the Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Company in Hong Kong, Wang Phu was under the ownership of the China Navigation Company, both entities being part of British-owned but Hong Kong-based John Swire and Sons Ltd.
War service
On 31 December 1941, the British Admiralty took control of Whang Pu intending to convert her into a submarine depot ship for the Royal Navy stationed at Singapore. However, progress ceased in January 1942 due to the Malayan Campaign. Subsequently, she relocated to Fremantle, Western Australia, where she served as a depot vessel supporting crews of Dutch submarines and minesweepers.
Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 1 October 1943 as HMAS Whang Pu, the ship underwent refitting in Melbourne to become a mobile repair vessel. Her operations included assignments in New Guinea and later at Morotai in the Dutch East Indies, where she functioned as a stores ship. After hostilities ended, she returned to Hong Kong, was decommissioned on 22 April 1946, and reverted to her original owners.
Post-war
After completing her naval duties, Whang Pu served as an accommodation vessel before being sold for dismantling in November 1949.