The civilian merchant freighter "Bungaree" was requisitioned by the RAN in October 1940, and was commissioned into the RAN on 9 June 1941 after being converted into a minelayer. Following her conversion, HMAS "Bungaree" had a capacity of 423 naval mines. She was later modified to carry 467 mines. "Bungaree" laid her first minefield off Port Moresby in August 1941 and, as Australia's only minelayer, laid over 10,000 mines in defensive minefields in Australian and New Zealand waters during World War II. "Bungaree" was present in Sydney Harbour during the Japanese midget submarine attack on 31 May 1942. As the Allies moved onto the offensive the need for defensive minefields lessened, with "Bungaree" re-tasked as a survey ship from January 1944 and a store ship from August 1944.