The trawler was requisitioned for military service following the outbreak of World War II, converted into a minesweeper, and assigned to Melbourne.

[1] The vessel underwent modification, and was fitted with minesweeping gear, a QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun, and depth charges.

[1] After conversion into an auxiliary minesweeper, Goorangai was commissioned into the RAN on 9 September 1939, and assigned the pennant number GR.

[2] Goorangai was assigned to Minesweeping Group 54, which was based in Melbourne and tasked with keeping Bass Strait and surrounding waters clear of mines.

[3] At 20:37, MV Duntroon, en route to Sydney, emerged from Port Phillip Bay and cut Goorangai in two.

[6] In January 1941 the wreckage was reduced by blasting to sections of structural plating up to 2 m high, and a small cylindrical boiler, with bits of scattered broken machinery.