HMAS Southern Cross was an examination vessel, stores and troop carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during the Second World War.

The ships sailed 6 July for Gladstone but another engine failure in Kiara required towing and taking an inshore route to avoid heavy seas offshore.

[1] In the attack Southern Cross rescued survivors of USS Peary (DD-226) and then took off wounded from the beached Portmar and assisted the damaged Admiral Halsted.

[5] From 9 to 14 July 1942, in company with HMAS Warrnambool, Southern Cross transported Netherlands East Indies troops and supplies to the Aru Islands.

Southern Cross suffered an engine casualty and was delayed with Chinampa entering the occupied harbor alone and attempting an unsuccessful landing.