RAN Station 6, Fairmile Advanced Operating Base, Bongaree, Bribie Island, Queensland

RAN STATION 6
ADVANCED FAIRMILE BASE AFMB
BONGAREE, BRIBIE ISLAND, QLD
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

The Royal Australian Navy established RAN Station 6, Advanced Fairmile Base AFMB at Bongaree on Bribie Island adjacent to the Pumicestone Passage in Queensland during WWII. It was also known as the Fairmile Advanced Operational (or Operating) Base.

"Fairmile" motor launches were small and very handy wooden-hulled vessels that were used by the Navy during WWII. They were 112 feet long with a top speed of 20 knots.Thirty five of these little ships were mass produced in Australian ship yards using local materials or by using kits sent from Britain. They were used for the usual roles of harbour defence and local operational patrols. Towards the end of the war, these very effective motor launches were scattered around Australia and the rest of the South West Pacific area.

Fairmile ML 814

Remnants of RAN 6 can be seen at the Bongaree Caravan Park, at 25-47 Welsby Parade, Bongaree, Bribie Island. I gave a talk on "The History of Moreton Bay @ War" at the nearby Bribie Island Seaside Museum on 13 March 2025 and took the following three photos. You can access an earlier version of a similar talk at this link.

Photo:- Peter Dunn OAM 13 Mar 2025