HMAS CANBERRA News - Updated 04 Dec 2012

2010 News Archive...More

2011 News Archive...More

Association News...More (HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association Website)

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (Queensland Division)

Planned reactivation of the Association in Queensland

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association banner carried by Chris Howett in the Brisbane ANZAC DAY March 2012.

it will be great if HMAS CANBERRA 2 Ships Company will march behind it in 2013.

I have had a much interest in reactivating the HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association in Queensland.

The Association went inactive and was disbanded in Queensland after it held its last Memorial Service in October 2006. It was stated at the Service that "The passage of the years means that the HMAS Canberra - HMAS Shropshire Association will pass into history." This may not be be entirely accurate, I know that their is interest from HMAS CANBERRA 2 sailors in Queensland to reactivate the Association.

Our experience here in Western Australia has been great, the Association was reactivated in WA in April this year, particularly rewarding was attending the Anzac Day March in Perth with the WW2 veterans and conducting the Memorial Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 at Kings Park in August, we currently have 40 members, our demographic include 3 x WW2 Veterans from HMAS SHROPSHIRE, HMAS CANBERRA 1 and HMAS CANBERRA 2 veterans and family members aged between 30 -90 years, we are confident that we will have many more members by Anzac Day 2013.

Former HMAS CANBERRA decommissioning Ships Company member Andrew Black is very keen to hold a meeting to gauge the interest in reactivating the Association in Queensland, please contact Andrew at his email address if you are interested andrew.black1@hotmail.com.

I am personaly keen for the Association to go ahead in Queensland, this will make it so much easier to nationally coordinate our Reunion in Sydney when the HMAS CANBERRA 3 is commissioned in Jan 2014.

The Association is currently active in WA, NSW and Victoria. Brian “Box” Brennan recently volunteered to reactivate the Association in the ACT and some folk are interested in reactivating the Association in South Australia.

The Association Committee in WA is more than happy to assist our shipmates in Queensland with the reactivation of the Association as we have just been through the process, for more information please visit the Association

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA 1 Veteran Douglas Ross

Douglas Ross Sinking of HMAS Canberra from JED CAHILL on Vimeo.

As part of the Currumbin RSL's Share Your Story. Veterans and supporters of Currubin RSL talk about their experiences in the club and during their service. The Currumbin RSL hopes future generations learn from these films and have a better understanding of the history surrounding war veterans and the Currumbin RSL.

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Minister of Defence Visit 03 Dec 2012

HMAS CANBERRA 3

The Minister for defence Stephen Smith, CDF General David Hurley and our Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs visited LHD01 at BAE's Williamstown dockyard in Melbourne

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Bridge Lift

HMAS CANBERRA 3

Great pics of the bridge being placed into position on our new LHD - HMAS CANBERRA Desig

Images taken at Williamtown in Victoria where HMAS CANBERRA Desig is being fitted out.

Images provided by LSCIS Garnet New

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (ACT Division)

The HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association is not currently active in the Nations Capital.

The ACT Division of the Association is being reactivated by Brian "Box" Brennan.

Some personnel who live have indicated that they are interested in forming a ACT Division of the Association.

Brian is currently looking for personnel to form a Committee to reactivate the Association in the New Year (2013) to ensure representation in Canberra for ANZAC DAY 2013.

Please contact Brian if you are interested on this email address...More

________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA 2 Shipmate - Michael "Dixie" Lee

Michael "Dixie" Lee

I had the pleasure of meeting up with an old shipmate Michael "Dixie" Lee during my flying visit to Canberra 15 Nov 2012, Dixie served in HMAS Canberra 1993-94.

Dixie has been ill for some time with a serious heart condition Cardiomyopathy, he recently spent 3 months in St Vincents Hospital where he was fitted with a titainium pump to ensure his survival until he can undergo a Heart Transplant.

It was great to see him in such great spirits during a very challenging time with his health, I was particularly impress with his courage, and great sense of humour.

The HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association wish Dixie and his Family all the best for the future and a speedy recovery from his Heart Transplant. which is scheduled for the Christmas - New Year period.

Dixie you are "Second to None" mate

Yours Aye,

Lee

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association
(WA Division) Inc

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA 2 Artefacts

22 Nov 2012

The President of the HMAS CANBERRA – HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division Lee Webster took possession of one of the Northbourne Avenue signs which was presented to Nigel Coates the Commanding Officer of HMAS CANBERRA by the ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell in 1996.

Lee Webster personally recalls when the new Northbourne Avenue signs arrived in the ship with Nigel Coates when he took Command of HMAS CANBERRA in 1996. This is a wonderful addition to the artefacts that have been donated to the Association.

The sign was generously donated to the Association by LCDR Eric Radford RAN who was the Decommissioning Liaison Officer in HMAS CANBERRA in 2005. Eric has donated several items from his personal collection.

The WA Division of the Association has received several historical artefacts from HMAS CANBERRA 1&2 and HMAS SHROPSHIRE since it was reactivated in April this year.

The Association is located at the Navy Club in Fremantle where the artefacts will be catalogued on display and available for viewing.

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (Australia)

The HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association has a new Website dedicated to the Association at http://www.hmascanberra-shropshire.asn.au/

The site will be linked to this site however it will stand on its own as the Association Website.

I will be gradually migrating the Association content over the new Website, however any important Association information will be posted here in the short term.

Lee "Bickies" Webster

Webmaster

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Decommissioning Deployment Videos

HMAS CANBERRA 2 Decommissioning Deployment Video's taken in 2005, excellent Videos with the ships song "A Thousand Miles away" by the Hoodoo Guru's playing in the background.

Part 1

Part 2

Thanks to Greg Brumby for providing the Videos

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Time Lapse Video of Arrival

A excelent Time Lapse video of the future HMAS CANBERRA 3 arriving in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria and coming alongside in Geelong on the MV Blue Marlin

Defence Media

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Website Update 22 Oct 2012

The arrival of the new HMAS CANBERRA 3 LHD 02 hull in Australia has generated much interest in the HMAS CANBERRA website, the site has received a record 280,000 hits this month, year to date the website has received 1.6 million hits, not bad for a non profit amateur website.

Many Thanks to all the Contributors to the website that have helped make it a success since its inception in 2001.

Lee "Bickies" Webster

Webmaster

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 Update 22 Oct 2012

The hull of HMAS CANBERRA 3 was in Geelong Victoria in preparation for floating off Blue Marlin on Monday 22 October 2012. The hull will then be moved to Williamtown shipyard to be fitted out.

Images taken by former RAN Member and DDG Sailor: Barry Shrimpton

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - Changing of the Guard from FFG -02 to LHD -02

Lee Webster

17 October 2012

It was a historical day for the proud ships named HMAS CANBERRA today as the hull of the future HMAS CANBERRA (3) passed the scuttled hull of the decommissioned HMAS CANBERRA (2) off the Victorian coast.

The Naval Community is very excited with the prospect of a new HMAS CANBERRA entering service to carry on the fine traditions established as its forebears HMAS CANBERRA 1&2 , HMAS CANBERRA (3) is the largest ship to be built for the RAN and will bring a excellent capaility to the ADF.

The former HMAS CANBERRA (2) FFG 02 passing Point Lonsdale enroute to be scuttle off Ocean Grove Victoria - 04 Oct 2009

The future HMAS CANBERRA (3) LHD 02 passing Point Lonsdale enroute to be fitted out at Williamtown Victoria - 17 Oct 2012

HMAS CANBERRA (3)

Defence Media Video of Ships arrival in Australia

The future HMAS CANBERRA (3) hull has travelled half way around the world from Spain to be fitted out in Williamtown in Victoria, she is expected to be commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 2014...More

Images taken by former RAN Member and DDG Sailor: Barry Shrimpton

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sharing the same Side Number

Image of HMAS CANBERRA (2) Side Number 02

Image of the HMAS CANBERRA (3) Side Number 02

The HMAS CANBERRA (3) Side Number will be the same as the HMAS CANBERRA (2)

Exciting times ahead for the Men and Women who will serve in HMAS CANBERRA

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association
(WA Division) Inc.

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Arrives in Australia - 17 Oct 2012

Geelong Advertiser

17 October 2013

The vessel ship lovers have been waiting for has arrived in Port Philip Bay.

MV Blue Marlin. Pictures are taken from Point Lonsdale. Photos: Mitch Bear

The world's largest lifting ship Blue Marlin passes through the heads at Pr Lonsdale shortly after 11am.

The Geelong Advertiser went on board the South Bay Eco tours boat to get up close with the vessel, which was carrying the ship that- after works in Geelong- will become the HMAS Canberra Landing Helicopter Dock

A group of men from the World Ship Society were also on board the Eco boat, which was a speck on the horizon in comparison to the orange giant.

Excited society members said it was amazing to see the ship so close...More

*********************************************************************************************************

HULL OF HUGE NAVY SHIP ARRIVES IN PORT PHILLIP BAY

7 Yahoo News

17 October 2013

Click on Image to view video

The hull of the Australian Navy's new giant helicopter carrier has gone through the heads at Queenscliff, south-west of Melbourne.

The hull of what will one day be HMAS Canberra has been towed from Spain, to Geelong.

It is just one part of the ship, but it is so big, no dry docks in Australia are able to accommodate it.

The ship is as long as the Rialto Tower and, once complete, will carry as many as 1000 troops, 100 armoured vehicles, 12 helicopters and four landing craft.

It will travel from Geelong to Williamstown, where the work will be completed by 2014.

Victoria's Manufacturing Minister, Richard Dalla-Riva, says the work will create about 900 jobs.

"This is a significant project for Victorian manufacturing," he said.

The Federal Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, says the ship could be used for support in a natural disaster.

"This floating city can float off the coast and provide the people and the resources and the hospital care that's needed," he said.

Leigh Diehm of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has questioned why it was not built locally.

"The fabrication of this hull would have created hundreds of jobs, not only here in Australia but in other facilities around the country," he said.

"You've got a very good facility down there in Williamstown that has been building ships for a lot of years and they certainly have the skills and capabilities to do that."

*********************************************************************************************************

Webcam Images of MV Blue Marlin entering the Heads at Port Phillip Bay, Australia

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 16 Oct 2012

Latest intell suggests that the MV Blue Marlin carrying the hull of LHD1 (to eventually be HMAS Canberra, LHD-02) will be passing through the rip into Port Phillip at approx 11am Wednesday 17 Oct 12.

Source:

Barry Shrimpton
Ex - HMAS Brisbane, and HMAS Hobart

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 16 Oct 2012

Geelong Advertiser

Big ship from out of the blue

October 16th, 2012

HARBOUR Master Captain Dilip Abraham has encouraged Geelong residents to take up a ringside seat to see the Navy's biggest warship this week.

The 80,000-tonne Blue Marlin is expected into Geelong on Thursday - weather permitting - with its 28,000-tonne cargo.

A meeting was held to prepare for the visit of the cargo ship, which will be carrying the Royal Australian

Navy's new 230m Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) vessel .

"It will be an amazing sight," Capt Abraham said.

The Blue Marlin will stay in Geelong for two or three days.

"The total length of the heavy marine transport ship and the LHD hull on her deck will be about 280m, with the end of the hull protruding 55 metres out the back," he said.

"We haven't had a big naval LHD come in before and it will be quite a spectacular sight."

The Blue Marlin's cargo is the first of the Navy's two Spanish-built LHD ship hulls Navy in Spain to arrive in Australian waters.

Port Phillip sea pilots will guide the Blue Marlin along Geelong's channels to dock, under the watchful eye of the harbour master aboard the Victorian Regional Channels Authority boat George Molland.

"Our channels are 120m wide and this vessel is 63m wide, so we need to plan carefully," Capt Abraham said.

"A crew will remove her sea fastenings at dock and the Blue Marlin will head to the deepest part of Port

Phillip Bay to discharge the hull by submerging her deck, allowing the hull to float free," Capt Abraham said.

Tugs will then ferry the LHD hull, to be called HMAS Canberra, to Williamstown, where the superstructure will be completed and combat, communications and navigation systems installed. The Blue Marlin left Spain in August...More

"I think it is very interesting that the the hull of the new HMAS Canberra 3 will be passing its predecessor the Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Canberra 2 which is now a diving wreck off Ocean Grove.

Lee Webster

________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Operation DAMASK VI

Former HMAS CANBERRA (2) Operation DAMASK VI Crew member Andrew "Gunna" Rourke assists in raising $80,000 for the Ride to Conquer Cancer in Sydney on the 13-14 October 2012.

Andrew "Gunna" Rourke

Andrew posted this in Facebook

Completed my weekend of riding 200 km yesterday in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Our team, the Wolf Pack, raised over $80,000 which was an awesome effort by an awesome bunch of people who were led and inspired by one amazing and courageous lady. Thank you to everybody who donated to such a worthy cause. And for those who are interested in such matters; my butt is still sore:)

Congratulations Gunna a "Second to None" effort, Gunna raised $15,000 towards the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 15 Oct 2012

Follow HMAS CANBERRA 3 journey from Spain to Australia, being transported on the Heavy Lift Vessel Blue Marlin...More

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3

Australian Navy’s Canberra-class LHD programme moves ahead

12 October 2012

http://www.naval-technology.com/

Artist Impression of HMAS CANBERRA 3

The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) first of two Canberra-class landing helicopter docks (LHD), HMAS Canberra (LHD 01), will soon receive its Navantia-built hull at BAE Systems Williamstown shipyard, defence materiel minister Jason Clare has revealed.

"The LHDs are the largest ships ever built for the Royal Australian Navy and will provide the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated amphibious ships in the world," Clare said.

BAE Systems maritime director Bill Saltzer said that preparation works were completed and the Australian team would begin next phase of the LHD construction programme following the hull's arrival, expected in a few weeks.

"We will need to wait for exactly the right conditions before we proceed to ensure that the operation is done in a safe and controlled manner," Saltzer said.
"The LHDs are the largest ships ever built for the Royal Australian Navy and will provide the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated amphibious ships in the world."

As part of ADF's broader amphibious deployment and sustainment system, RAN had awarded a contract to BAE Systems for construction of the two amphibious ships.
The vessel's four sections are currently at different stages of construction, outfitting and consolidation, including mast modules fabrication, at the Williamstown yard in Western Australia.

"BAE is Australia's largest defence contractor and will play a key role in the consolidation and fitout of the LHD once it arrives," Clare added.

The LHD is expected to enter service with RAN in 2014, while HMAS Adelaide, the second ship is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2015.

It will be used to transport military equipment and aviation units as well as support humanitarian missions for RAN...More

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (WA Division) Inc

Great News! The HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION (WA DIVISION) INC. was officially incorporated by the Commissioner for Consumer Protection in Western Australia on the 03 October 2012.

It was 40 years ago in 1972 when Arthur Carter formed the original Western Australian Division of the Association; it is now up to us to carry on the fine traditions of Association established by the HMAS CANBERRA 1 and HMAS SHROPSHIRE Ships Company’s.

The e HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION (WA DIVISION) INC will be open for membership in the near future.

I found this in the PORTHOLE MK II 1966 Publication and thought it was very fitting as we move forward with the Association. It really says it all about the people who served in HMAS CANBERRA 1&2 and HMAS SHROPSHIRE.

In his “foreword” to “PORTHOLE”, the Shropshire Book written in 1945. Captain Nichols emphasised that hard work, goodwill and the co-operation of all on board are called for to make and keep a ship both efficient and happy.

On looking back over their experiences of a quarter of a century ago, the members of the Canberra- Shropshire Association would, I am confident, agree to this proposition. And the sentiments so expressed may perhaps summed up in the word “Comradeship” a happy, personal relationship between shipmates for the benefit for all.

The importance of maintaining such comradeship commenced in war, with what is called “peace time” is self-evident and a ship’s Association such as our own is the outstanding medium, through which such comradeship can be fostered and continued… H.B. Farncomb 18th May 1966

Yours Aye,

Lee

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association
(WA Division) Inc

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 10 Oct 2012

Landing ship hull approaches Melbourne

AAP October 10, 2012

THE hull of the first of the navy's two new large amphibious landing ships is in Australian waters and will reach Melbourne in a week.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said the hull of the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) vessel had been transported from Spain to Australia aboard the heavy lift ship Blue Marlin over the last eight weeks.

He said Blue Marlin would transit to Port Phillip Bay in the coming week and the LHD hull would then be unloaded and moved by tug to the BAE Systems Williamstown Shipyard for installation of the superstructure and other systems.

Once this work is done, the vessel, to be named HMAS Canberra, will undertake sea trials before being delivered to the navy in early 2014.

The second vessel will be named HMAS Adelaide.

At 27,500 tonnes, the Canberra Class LHDs will be the largest ships ever to serve in the Australian navy, larger even than Australia's last aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne.

BAE Systems maritime director Bill Saltzer says preparation works are complete and the Australian team is ready to start work on the next construction phase as soon the hull arrived at Williamstown.

"Construction, outfitting and consolidation of the four sections of the superstructure is continuing in the Williamstown yard and this includes the mast modules fabricated at the BAE Systems yard at Henderson in Western Australia," he said in a statement.

Mr Saltzer said the preparations included a multi-million upgrade to Nelson Pier, where the ship will be docked, and assembly of one of the largest permanently fixed cranes in Australia.

Its first job will be lifting the initial 300-tonne section of superstructure to be fitted to the vessel's hull.

"We will need to wait for exactly the right conditions before we proceed," Mr Saltzer said...More

___________________________________________________________________________

Fred Smith and the Spooky Men of the West - Fremantle 06 October 2012

Fred Smith and the Spooky Men of the West will be playing at the KULCHA at 13 South Terrace Fremantle on Friday 6 October at 8pm.

Fred Smith and the Spooky Men of the West will be performing a ballad, Say a Prayer, tells the story of the HMAS Canberra, which was sunk off the coast of Guadalcanal Island during the Battle of Savo Island 70 years ago on 9 August, 1942.

Review

A harmonious and joyous celebration of masculine buffoonery The critical acclaim has been coming for years Fred Smith's remarkable 2011 watershed release Dust of Uruzgan. The album earned him comparisons with Bogle, Schumann and Don Walker.

The Dust of Uruzgan is a marked departure from his 2009 CD Urban Sea Shanties, a collection of thinking man's drinking songs - a joyous celebration of masculine buffoonery interspersed with some exquisite ballads.

Fred will be taking the stage with the Spooky Men of the West, presenting from Dust of Uruzgan, Urban Sea Shanties and anything else that comes to them on the night. If you love great songwriting and big boofy blokes, come and see what the fuss is about...More

Presale $22 Members $20 Door $25

A special youtube release to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the sinking of the HMAS Canberra at the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August, 1942. This video combines archival photographs from the Second World War with footage of a live performance of the song by Fred Smith and the Spooky Men's Chorale at the 2009 National Folk Festival.

___________________________________________________________________________

NAVY Club Fremantle WA - Newsletter Oct 2012

The home of the HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association in Western Australia.

NAVY Club Fremantle - Newsletter Oct 2012

_____________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News

Landing ship on final leg of voyage

From: AAP September 25, 2012 12:33PM

THE hull of the first of the navy's two new large amphibious landing ships is on the final leg of its voyage to Australia.

Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) 01 hull, to be renamed HMAS Canberra, has rounded the Cape of Good Hope and is expected to arrive in Melbourne in the next few weeks.

The 01 hull left the Navantia shipyard in Ferrol, Spain, in September and is being transported to Australia aboard the Heavy Lift Ship Blue Marlin.

"The Blue Marlin is making good progress and we expect the LHD to arrive in Melbourne by mid-October," Defence Materiel minister Jason Clare said in a statement on Tuesday.

It will be taken to the BAE Systems Williamstown dockyard for installation of hull superstructure plus combat, communications and navigation systems.

Once the work is done, the vessel will undertake sea trials before being delivered to the navy in early 2014.

Canberra Class LHDs will be the largest ships ever to serve in the Australian navy. At 27,500 tonnes they are larger even than Australia's last aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne.

Each will be able to transport an entire combined arms battle group of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters...More

_____________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 2 Commissioning Crew - Lindsay Scullin

Cancomcrew Chief RP walks the Kokoda Trek

Lindsay Scullin in 1981

Retired WORP Lindsay Scullin recently took on the Kokoda Trek in PNG.

A testiment to Lindsay's fitness he recently walked the Kokoda Trek in PNG. He wrote the following in Facebook"

" Back from Kokoda and enjoyed the experience. Not as hard as I thought it would be as the pace the guide set was very slow. Always waiting for the slower people to catch up.

Heaps of climbing and descending gives the legs and knees a workout. The place is a giant botanical garden! Didn't see many big views as we were mostly up in the clouds. Plenty of mud to contend with.

I pity the poor buggers who had to try and fight a war there in the jungle. Almost impossible to spot them in the undergrowth! Thanks to all our well wishers! The natives were great to us and can see why our troops appreciated them so much".

Lindsay is Second to None! After a very successful career in the Navy he has worked as a Paramedic in NSW.

______________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News

Follow HMAS CANBERRA 3 journey from Spain to Australia, being transported on the Heavy Lift Vessel Blue Marlin...More

Destination: PORT LOUIS
ETA: 2012-09-23 08:00
Info Received: 2012-09-22

___________________________________________________________________________

USS Canberra Association - Newsletter

USS Canberra 2012 Fall Newsletter...more

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (Victorian Division)

Newsletter

The Victorian Division Newsletter HMAS SHROPSHIRE TIMES for September 2012...More

Editor R.W. Ron Russell

LCDR M.J ( Mac) Gregory RAN (Ret)
President
HMAS Canberra - HMAS Shropshire Association – Vic Division

________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (NSW Division)

Newsletter

The NSW Division Newsletter for the 2012 Annual Reunion and Annual General Meeting...More

Chris Johnston
President
HMAS Canberra - HMAS Shropshire Association – NSW Division

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News

Private guards for navy warship as it sails the seas

by: Ian McPhedran From: The Daily Telegraph September 12, 2012 12:00AM

HEAVILY armed ex-military security guards have protected Australia's biggest future warship from pirates as it travelled around Africa on board a huge transport vessel.
The hull of the navy's first 28,000-tonne landing helicopter dock (LHD) or amphibious assault ship, to be called HMAS Canberra when it enters service in 2014, departed Spain last month.

It is bound for Melbourne via the Cape of Good Hope aboard the giant semi-submersible ship carrier MV Blue Marlin and is being guarded by a Dutch firm that is part of a rapidly expanding private anti-piracy industry.

So far this year more than 100 pirate attacks or attempted attacks have taken place in waters from the Philippines and Africa to Central America

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (WA Division) Inc

Association Meeting Minutes 18 Aug 20

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 2 FFG-02

Latest Diving Video - Winter Dive - 28 July 2012

Video Available...More

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage Position updates - www.marinetraffic.com

Follow HMAS CANBERRA 3 journey from Spain to Australia, being transported on the Heavy Lift Vessel Blue Marlin...More

Last Position Received
Latitude / Longitude: 23.39203° / -17.22333° (Map)
Currently in Port:
Last Known Port: EL FERROL
Info Received: 6d 4h 31min ago

Expected to be off Cape Town South Africa, 09 Sep 2012.

Destination: PORT LOUIS
ETA: 2012-09-15 12:00
Info Received: 2012-08-22 22:09 (6d, 7h 19min ago)

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - News Video August 2012

Channel 7 Melbourne News clip

___________________________________________________________________________

The WA Division of the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association has expanded the Executive Committee to form a excellent team to move the Association forward in Western Australia

The Executive Committee

President	Lee Webster
Vice President	Wade Green
Secretary	David Shine
Treasurer	Greg Brumby
Membership Secretary	Mark Bohle

The Committee:

John Scarfe
Teresa Blackman
Ray Graham

The Committee is being advised by 2 former Presidents of the Association and WW2 veterans, Mr Bill Kynaston and Jack Gallagher.

In addition to the personnel above the following people attended the WA Division meeting:

Tony Robinson
Allister Daish
Wayne Falkner
Donovan Yates

The WA Division of the Association will be fully operational and incorporated to accept new membership by September 2012.

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association
(WA Division)

0431 547 527

Email: webmaster@hmascanberra.com
Internet: www.hmascanberra.com

________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 20 August 2012

Future HMAS Canberra is on the way

Sydney Morning Herald

20 August 2012

The following is just in from the Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare:

LHD 02 DEPARTS SPAIN, AUSTRALIA BOUND

HMAS CANBERRA 3 departs Spain being transported by SS Blue Marlin

"On arrival in Australian waters the ship will transit to Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and then on to the Williamstown dockyard for consolidation of the superstructure and installation of the combat and communications and navigation systems. This will be followed by sea trials."

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the departure of the hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) new amphibious ships from Ferrol in northern Spain.
Mr Clare said the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) 01 hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship, Blue Marlin. The hull was built in the Navantia shipyard in Spain.

“The trip is expected to take approximately seven weeks depending on weather conditions,” Mr Clare said. The Canberra Class LHDs are bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. When completed they will be more than 230 metres long, 27.5 metres high and weigh around 27,500 tonnes.

Mr Clare said each ship can carry a combined arms battle group of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters and features a 40-bed hospital.
“On arrival in Australian waters the ship will transit to Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and then on to the Williamstown dockyard for consolidation of the superstructure and installation of the combat and communications and navigation systems.

This will be followed by sea trials,” he said. The vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the RAN in early 2014...More

________________________________________________________________________

The HMAS Canberra HMAS Shropshire Association WA Division will be holding a meeting at the Navy Club in Fremantle on Saturday 18 August 2012 at 1100 hrs all interested personnel are invited to attend.

www.navyclub.com.au

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 16 August 2012

Aircraft Carrier Hull to be Carried on Dockwise HTV

Australian Landing Helicopter Dock (ALHD) ship hull is for onboard Heavy Transport Vessel (HTV) delivery to Australia from Spain. Blue Marlin, the largest semi-submersible HTV available to date, is to load shortly the Navantia manufactured hull (230 meters in length) of the amphibious ALHD flagship Canberra for delivery to the Royal Australian Navy.

_______________________________________________________________________

NAVY REMEMBERS CANBERRA (I)

Memorial Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 Savo Island - 12 August 2012

Navy News

9 August 1942 is a date that will always be remembered by the Royal Australian Navy for it was on this day that it suffered its largest warship loss at sea.

70 years later, HMA Ships Gascoyne and Huon positioned themselves over the final resting place of HMAS Canberra (I), fell silent and remembered the 84 men who lost their lives during the Battle of Savo Island.

HMA Ships Gascoyne and Huon positioned themselves over the final resting place of HMAS Canberra (I), fell silent and remembered the 84 men who lost their lives during the Battle of Savo Island.

Among those onboard were two generations of Petty Officer Stoker Redmond Boyle’s descendants who laid a wreath in his memory.

Joining family members for the service was Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator David Feeney, Rear Admiral James Goldrick, AM, CSC, Fellow Sea Power Centre - Australia and Mr Tyson Sara, Australian Assistant Secretary of Defence – Pacific and East Timor.

According to LCDR Ben Fennell, RAN, CO of HMAS Gascoyne, the RAN will always remember the important sacrifice made by our officers and sailors.

HMA Ships Gascoyne and Huon.

“The Guadalcanal Campaign, which included the Battle of Savo Island, was the first major offensive by Allied forces against the Imperial Japanese Navy.”

“During the battle, HMAS Canberra was crippled and three American cruisers sunk. Canberra was hit 24 times in just two minutes, killing 74 of her 819 crew. A further ten, including the ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Frank Getting, later died of wounds.”

The Battle of Savo Island was a significant naval engagement fought between Allied naval forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy in the South Pacific Ocean during World War II. During a surprise night attack, Japanese cruisers under the command of Admiral Gunichi Mikawa, were responsible for inflicting heavy losses on the Australian and United States navies...More

The two sons of PO Boyle who were accompanied at the ceremony by their seven children.

_________________________________________________________________________

Memorial Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 (NSW) - 12 August 2012

A Memorial Service for HMAS Canberra 1 at Garden Island Naval Chapel at HMAS KUTTABUL on Sunday 12 August 2012, it was a excellent Service that was organised by the NSW Division of the Association and lead by the President Mr Chris Johnston.

The service was conducted by Principal Chaplain Gareth Clayton OAM and music was provided by the RAN Band, on completion a Wreath Laying Ceremony was conducted at the Cruiser Memorial at Garden Island.

The Service was attended by RADM Guy Griffiths RAN (Ret), Commodore RC Swan RAN (Ret) 4 x HMAS CANBERRA 1 Veterans and many family and friends of survivors and men who were lost in HMAS CANBERRA,

HMAS CANBERRA 1 Survivor George Faulkner recalled the Canberra and the many great shipmates he had on the ship.

HMAS CANBERRA 2 was represented by 2 Commissioning Crew, Lee Webster and Phil McDonald.

__________________________________________________________________________

Wreath Laying Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 (WA) - 09 August 2012

The Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the 70th Anniversary of the loss of HMAS CANBERRA 1 at the State War Memorial at Kings Park was excellent, many thanks to everyone who supported the event.

In particular I wish to thank the Warden and Deputy Wardens of the Memorial, the US Consulate General for Perth, the Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling, the Naval Association of Australia, the RSLHQ for WA, the Navy Club Fremantle, members of the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division,

Mr Ernie Rudland the only known survivor of HMAS CANBERRA 1 living in WA and 2 x members of the HMAS SHROPSHIRE and family and friends, it was great to see many HMAS CANBERRA 2 sailors in attendance, 48 people attended the Ceremony and many members of the public looked on, the location and the weather was just perfect. It was a fitting way to remember the sacrifice made by the brave men in HMAS CANBERRA at the Battle of Savo 70 years ago.

"Lest we Forget"

__________________________________________________________________________

Battle Of Guadalcanal Commemoration

August 8, 2012

Press Release – Defence Media Centre

Battle Of Guadalcanal Commemoration Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today attended a memorial service in Solomon Islands to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Guadalcanal. Held at the United …Battle Of Guadalcanal Commemoration

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today attended a memorial service in Solomon Islands to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Held at the United States War Memorial, the service honoured the Guadalcanal campaign, fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943, on and near the island of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

Laying a wreath on behalf of the Government and people of Australia, Senator Feeney said he was honoured to participate in the service.

“The Battle of Guadalcanal was a decisive battle and it’s a tremendous honour to be here with a number of veterans and representatives from other nations,” he said.

While in Solomon Islands, Senator Feeney will also meet with Government officials from Solomon Islands, New Zealand and the United States.

“My thanks to the Government of Solomon Islands for hosting the Australian delegation and also to the United States for hosting this commemoration.

“This visit is an important chance for Australia to confirm our enduring commitment to bilateral Defence cooperation with Solomon Islands.

“Meeting with representatives from Solomon Islands, New Zealand and the US will give us an opportunity to discuss and explore the future and the gradual transition of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI),” Senator Feeney said.

Senator Feeney will also attend a memorial service on 9 August 2012 to honour the loss of HMAS Canberra along with eighty-four of her crew, including the ship’s commanding officer, Captain Frank Getting, RAN.

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 08 August 2012

Aircraft Carrier Hull to be Carried on Dockwise HTV

Thursday, August 02, 2012

'Blue Marlin at Work': Photo credit Dockwise

A complex technical challenge emerged: the aircraft carrier hull was calculated to protrude 55 meters from the aft end of the Blue Marlin. To meet this challenge Dockwise marine engineers had to work closely with the Navantia team to develop a new grillage and sea-fastening design to safeguard the hull against forces that may be encountered on the voyage.Dockwise has been awarded contracts to transport two ALHD hulls from Punta Langosteira, Spain to Melbourne, Australia.

The ALHD Canberra is the first of two cargoes to commence the 12,000 nautical mile voyage around Cape of Good Hope estimated to be completed in 45 days.
The second, the ALHD Adelaide, will be transported in early 2014. Both hulls are built along the lines of the Juan Carlos 1 of the Spanish Navy by the naval shipyard in Ferrol that is now managed by Navantia.

The Heavy Marine Transport vessel Blue Marlin was built in 2000. She is the largest semi-submersible vessel afloat measuring 224 meters by 63 meters and capable of transporting cargo of up to 76,000 tons.

_________________________________________________________________________

National Memorial Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 - 04 August 2012

HMAS Canberra 1 was remembered at the HMAS Canberra Memorial in Parkes, ACT. The Ceremony was conducted in very cold blustery winds.

HMAS Canberra 1 survivor LCDR Henry Hall OAM RAN addressed the Ceremony that marked the 70th Anniversary of the loss of HMAS Canberra and 84 members of the ships company at the Battle of Savo Island 09 August 1942.

Four HMAS CANBERRA1 Survivors attended the Ceremony that was organised by Naval Association, HMAS Harman and TS Canberra.

The Commanding Officer of HMAS Harman Commander Lisa Balcher RAN served in HMAS CANBERRA 2 in 1993 during Operation Damask VI.

Members of HMAS Canberra 2 attended including, the former Commanding Officer of HMAS CANBERRA 2 RADM Raydon Gates RANR and his wife Allison in addition to retired CPOCSM Brian Brennan.

"Lest we Forget"

Images taken by Debbie Chambers

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (1) Bravery recalled

Bravery recalled as Canberra overwhelmed

August 4, 2012

By David Ellery

Lieutenant-Commander Henry Hall.

Seconds after HMAS Canberra was blitzed by a barrage of Japanese shells at 1.37am on August 7, 1942, a senior officer asked 20-year-old Seaman Henry Hall ''are you frightened''.

''No,'' was his candid response. ''I'm f---ing terrified.''

Then a ''callow youth'' who had joined the RAN as a 16-year-old four years before, he had been closed up in his action station in the ''collector'' when the Japanese struck.

The position, midway up the ship's mast, was an observation post. ''I was a rangetaker, a height finder and an inclinometer operator,'' the vigorous 90-year-old retired lieutenant-commander said. He will speak at a service in Canberra today to mark the 70th anniversary of the ship's loss.

Advertisement
The 10,000 ton County-class cruiser, which alternated with HMAS Australia as the flagship of the Australian fleet, was in the Solomon Islands supporting the US assault on Guadalcanal.

When the Japanese responded in force, dispatching seven cruisers and a destroyer from New Britain, a major naval battle now known as the Battle of Savo Island, ensued.

A Japanese float plane dropped a parachute flare, the flagship launched torpedoes and three enemy cruisers opened fire on HMAS Canberra at close range. Within moments she had been struck by 24 shells, her engines knocked out, all power lost and communications disabled. The former pride of the Australian squadron was dead in the water, on fire amidships and listing heavily to starboard. Her captain was mortally wounded and 74 of the 819 had been killed. Another 10 died later of wounds.

It was, in Lieutenant-Commander Hall's words, ''hell on earth''. ''The first thing I knew was that we got lit up [from the flare],'' he said. ''The bloke standing next to me dropped; a piece of shrapnel through his head. My Bakelite headset was smashed [by shrapnel or debris]; I just about shit myself and dropped to the deck.

Chaos reigned. ''There were fires all over the place; the four-inch deck gun crew just disappeared [in the explosions] and there was thunder and lightning [from a storm]. ''You had ampoules of morphine. Once you gave a poor devil a shot of morphine you would write an M on their forehead in blood. There was no shortage of it. This was so somebody else wouldn't come along and give them another dose. You hoped it [the M] wouldn't wash off.''

On reaching safety relatively unscathed he was determined to be of use. ''I attached myself to the surgeon-general aboard the American ship, a WWI 'retread' who was a real character, and did whatever he told me to do for the next five days. There were occasions where he would say 'son, you see that man over there, he's dying and there's not a damned thing we can do for him. You go over there and do whatever he wants'.'' A very proud moment was when, at the end of the five days, the US surgeon said, ''Son, you done well.'' The Australian navy thought so to. Commander Hall was honoured with a ''mention in despatches'' for his efforts...More

Canberra Times

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (SA Division)

On the eve of the 70th Anniversary of HMAS CANBERRA 1 Loss at SAVO Island the South Australian Division of the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association is about to wind up.

A Special General Meeting has been called for the 6th of August 2012 to wind up the Association at RSL Headquarters at Torrens Parade Ground at 1330.

The War War 2 veterans running the Association are winding up it due to the old age and illness of the members.

It is important that HMAS Canberra 2 personnel join the HMAS Canberra - HMAS Shropshire Association, and support our forebears and carry on the fine traditions established by HMAS Canberra 1.

The Association in WA has been reactivated and it has been a great pleasure to be Associated with the WW 2 veterans and assist them as a part of the Navy Family to attend Anzac Day and Memorial Services.

Request any former HMAS CANBERRA 2 Ships Company that live in South Australia and may be able to assist in keeping the Association afloat to please contact me via email or on my mobile.

Yours Aye,

Lee

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association
(WA Division)

0431 547 527

Email: webmaster@hmascanberra.com
Internet: www.hmascanberra.com

Special General Meeting - Adelaide PDF

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 26 July 2012

The first Navantia LHD for Australia will be transferred to Melbourne on board a giant cargo ship

25/07/2012

(Infodefensa.com)

Madrid - The ship Canberra , first of two LHD built by Navantia for the Royal Australian Navy , will be moved next month from August to Melbourne on board a giant cargo ship, the Blue Marlin . The trip will start on Day 4, as has been told Infodefensa.com , and will last two months. Only the stowage of a vessel over another will soon be nine days.

As enshrined in the Spanish Journal of Defense in a detailed report published in its latest issue, the contract signed by Navantia with the Ministry of Defence of Australia in June 2007 involves the completion of ships in Australia.

Specifically, in El Ferrol entire hull is made to the level of the flight deck and in the factory of BAE Systems Australia -company alliance that creates a Navantia-superstructure will be built and installed the weapons, the combat system and electronics, in addition to be finished and sea trials.

With the LHD in the state that will leave the shipyard in El Ferrol is not possible to consider a cruise on their own to Australia, so we had to decide between two options: the traditional trailer or carried in a special vessel. The first was not considered advisable by the lack of security that could pose to the operation of sea and wind conditions.

Therefore, we chose to transport, although there are very few ships have the right skills to keep the size of LHD Canberra or Adelaide . The ship was finally selected the Blue Marlin , owned by the Dutch company Dockwise BV, which operates as a floating dock for loading and unloading.

Due to high demand for special ships were hired transport of both vessels in July 2008 and was planned from Canberra for the summer of 2012 and from Adelaide for the first months of 2014.

Complexity of the loading and stowage

The planned site for the loading dock is the new outer harbor of La Coruña , in Punta Langosteira, so far as Canberra is moved by tugs from El Ferrol. The choice of this point is based on an area that is protected from wind and sea and its funds are ready for the passage of large tankers, which is essential for the loading operation.

Just load and proper stowage is the trickiest part of the transport operation and will involve a total of 135 hours, about nine days.

As explained in the report of the Spanish Journal of Defense , the preparatory work will be carried out with the ship moored to the dock during the first three days. Side fences should be installed to focus carefully HMAS Canberra on the axis of the Dutch ship and made marks on the exact position of the load. Also, mount the "bed" on which support the town, ensuring the structural integrity of Canberra .

On the third day, still in the dock, will be held on prelastrado, and then the Blue Marlin will move to the position where the load carried. At midnight start to fill their ballast tanks and dive completely, a process that will last eight hours, until the deck is to the required depth.

The load itself will take place in barely two hours, but the execution is demanding. The tugs approximate the Canberra to Blue Marlin , confronting stern. It shall give warps aft cross between Canberra and winches installed on the stern of the freighter, and little by little, it will be placing one on the cover of the second submerged up to the exact final position.

Begin after deballasting. The cover of the Blue Marlin will begin to emerge early in the afternoon of day four at the last minute will reach the depth of navigation. As to surface cover, Canberra anger settled in bed and start the lashing, stowage and lashing definitive.

The unloading operation in Australia will be considerably easier. Following the landfall of the ship will proceed to remove the fasteners. Here is located the Blue Marlin in the space provided for immersion and carried out the ballast to submerge the platform. With the aid of guy wires and tug one gets at the Canberra, which will be towed to the facilities of BAE Systems .

________________________________________________________________________

National Memorial Services for HMAS CANBERRA 1

Memorial Services will be conducted nationally in August 2012 to mark the 70th Anniversary of the loss of the Ship and 84 members of the Ships Company at the Battle of Savo Island in 1942.

Canberra, ACT

Location: HMAS CANBERRA Memorial located on Wendouree Drive in Parkes

Date: Saturday, 04 August 2012

Time: 1100 Hrs

This event is sponsored by the Naval Association of Australia (NAA) ACT Section. Should any
personnel in the Canberra region wish to participate in the Memorial Service, the NAA, along
with HMAS HARMAN, would welcome their attendance.

Sydney, NSW

Location: Garden Island Chapel

Date: Sunday, 12 August 2012

Time: 1000 hrs

This year will be a memorable one as it will be 70 years since that fateful night in August
1942 when HMAS Canberra met an overwhelming force off Savo Island and was
eventually sunk along with 84 of her crew. We will commemorate this occasion at the
chapel at Garden Island with many dignitaries on 12 August.

Perth, WA

Location: State War Memorial, Kings Park Perth WA

Date: Thursday, 09 August 2012

Time: 1030 Hrs

All HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association members and HMAS CANBERRA 2 Ships Company are requested to attend this important occassion, please email me if you wish to attend at webmaster@hmascanberra.com

__________________________________________________________________________

The Wreath Laying Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 to mark the 70th Anniversary of the loss of the ship has been organised as follows:

Location: State War Memorial, Kings Park Perth WA

Date: Thursday, 09 August 2012

Time: 1030 Hrs

Participants:

The Commanding Officer HMAS STIRLING
The U.S. Consulate General Perth
State President of the Naval Association (WA Section)
Representative of the RSLHQ WA, Warden and Sub Wardens from the Highgate RSL
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division
Former Members of HMAS CANBERRA 2 Ships Company

Dress: Uniforms with Medals or Neat Casual with Medals

Order of Service

A self-funded function will be held at Frasers Restaurant on completion, please let me know your attendance so that we have the number of people attending.

I strongly recommend that all HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association members and HMAS CANBERRA 2 Ships Company attend this important occassion, please email me if you wish to attend at webmaster@hmascanberra.com

Yours Aye,

Lee

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association
(WA Division)

0431 547 527

___________________________________________________________________________

The HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division has a new home at the Navy Club in Fremantle. http://www.navyclub.com.au/

The Navy Club in Fremantle is home to many Ship Associations in WA including the HMAS PERTH and HMAS SYDNEY Associations.

The Association has a permanent booking for a monthly meeting which will take place on the third Saturday of each month commencing at 1100 on Saturday 18th of August 2012.

http://www.navyclub.com.au/index.php/events

The Team at the Navy Club have extended the Association a warm welcome, Fremantle is a excellent central location that historically to HMAS CANBERRA 1 & 2 have links to.

HMAS CANBERRA 1 first port of call in Australia after commissioning was Fremantle in 1929, HMAS CANBERRA 2 last port of call was Fremanle in 2005.

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA 3, captured in construction

July 12, 2012

David McLennan

Canberra Times

Artist Peter Churcher poses with two of his paintings of the yet-to-be-completed HMAS Canberra being constructed in Spain. The paintings will eventually go on display at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Graham Tidy

HMAS Canberra 3 is being put together block by block like giant pieces of Lego, to become the largest ship ever built for the Australian Navy. The amphibious assault ship, also known as an LHD or landing helicopter dock, is being built in Spain, where former official war artist Peter Churcher captured its creation in a series of paintings unveiled by the Australian War Memorial today. It will be the third Australian ship to bear the name of the nation's capital, and will join a long naval legacy.

HMAS CANBERRA 1 (1928 - 1942 )

According to the navy, the first HMAS Canberra was a County Class heavy cruiser. It served in World War II, earning battle honours in the East Indies (1940-41), Pacific (1941-42), Guadalcanal (1942) and Savo Island (1942), where she was lost on August 9 after being struck by two torpedoes on her starboard side and more than 20 salvos of 8-inch shellfire from three Japanese cruisers at close range.

War Memorial historian Chris Clarke, speaking on the 60th anniversary of the battle, said the ship was "not caught napping". "Canberra was seconds away from opening fire, just as soon as an aiming point could be established in the dark, when she was hit with a torrent of shellfire from the Japanese at 1.44 am. Within minutes the ship's port side was smothered by at least 27 hits, leaving her on fire amidships," he said.

"One enemy shell had struck the radio room, preventing the sending of a warning message to other ships that had been ordered. Japanese shells and torpedoes also damaged Chicago, and although this was nothing compared to the devastation caused to Canberra, it was enough to render the American cruiser ineffectual.

"Canberra had not even fired a shot in her own defence, because within moments of the enemy's opening fire, the Australian cruiser had abruptly lost all power. There are good grounds for suspecting that she had been inadvertently struck on her starboard side by a torpedo fired by an American destroyer, Bagley, which was also attempting to engage the Japanese but had failed to take account of the evasive manoeuvres by Canberra."

USS CANBERRA (1942-1970)

HMAS Canberra lost 84 men in the battle and in its honour, the United States commissioned the Baltimore class cruiser USS Canberra - the only US ship to be named after a capital city outside America – in 1943 at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt. USS Canberra was converted to a guided missile cruiser in the 1950s, took part in the Cuban missile crisis blockade and completed five tours of duty in Vietnam before being decommissioned in 1970 and broken up in 1980.

HMAS CANBERRA 2 (1981 - 2005)

A year later, in March 1981, HMAS Canberra took to the seas again, this time as an Adelaide Class guided missile frigate in the Australian navy.
She spent October and November 1985 shadowing a Soviet Surface Action Group led by the 25,000-tonne nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Frunze through the Malacca Straits, and served in the Middle East in 1992 helping enforce United Nations sanctions on Iraq, returning to the region in 2002 as part of Operation Slipper before being decommissioned. She was scuttled off Ocean Grove, Victoria in 2009 to create an artificial reef and diving site.

The latest version of HMAS Canberra is expected to be in service in 2014. The 231m 27,500 tonne ship will be able to transport up to 1000 soldiers, plus crew, and their equipment, and be involved in humanitarian support operations. It can carry up to 18 helicopters or up to 110 vehicles – which can be deployed through a stern ramp - and travel fully laden at 19 knots.
It is largely being built at Spanish company Navantia's Ferrol-Fene shipyard in that country's north-west. The hull will then be shipped to Williamstown shipyard in Victoria, where the island structure will be installed.

HMAS CANBERRA 3 ( Commissioning in 2014 )

The navy says the ship is being built in a modular approach, where each section is built and fitted out as discrete units before they are welded together to form the completed ship.
Churcher said the construction process was very different to what he was expecting, and he tried to detail this in the six paintings, of HMAS Canberra and its sister ship, HMAS Adelaide.
"I was trying to capture a sense of the scale and complexity of the project. We are not talking about the construction of a truck, or even a building. A ship on the scale of a small town or a small city in terms of, this ship is an air craft carrier, they have hospital units, they have intensive care units, they hold crews of thousands of people," he said

.
"So I wanted to get a sense of what it looks like in the 21st century, how a ship of this scale is constructed, because it is different to the past. Ships are now constructed in blocks and assembled almost like Lego. Whereas in the past they used to build the hull of the ship in dry dock, work from the bottom up. Of course I just learned all this once I got there ... I was expecting to see ribs of the hull. In fact it is all just blocks. There is a lot of steel and a lot of welding going on."

He largely painted the works in situ at the shipyard over eight days, before finishing them in his Barcelona studio over a couple of weeks. Australian War Memorial art curator Warwick Heywood said it was a rare opportunity to get the whole history of a ship. The memorial had only just received the paintings and had not decided where or when it would display them...more

Peter Churcher talks about his series of paintings at the Australian War Memorial

See artist Peter Churcher talk about a series of paintings, recently unveiled at the Australian War Memorial, that document the construction of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships, the future HMAS Canberra and Adelaide.

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA 1 - You Tube Musical Tribute

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 28 June 2012

Countdown to the transfer of HMAS 'Canberra' to Australia

Revista Naval Review

16/06/2012.

The platform "Blue Marlin" of Ferrol Dockwise up to prepare the complex operation that will take the Navantia LHD builds the southern country

The semi-submersible platform of the Dutch company Dockwise docked today at about 16.00 hours on the docks of the shipyard Navantia Fene aborted after the entry into the Ria de Ferrol yesterday due to wind conditions .

The ship crossed with caution input channel to the harbor of Ferrol due to the narrowness of it. Supported by the tugs 'Ibaizabal Five "and" Hocho "service port of Ferrol, the ship becomes especially well with nearly 64 meters wide in the largest floating structure that crosses the mouth Ferrolana, along with the platforms' Drillmar I "or" Snøhvit "ASTANO built in the former, which were also sleeves that exceed the size of 60 meters.

The "Blue Marlin" prepare the transfer of the first amphibious ship to the Spanish naval constructor built for the Australian armed with BAE Systems. The loading and transfer of HMAS 'Canberra', first in a series of two sister ships to the LHD "Juan Carlos I" of the Spanish Armada, will begin in August in the outer harbor basin of A Coruña in Punta Langosteira.

It is expected that the "Blue Marlin" invest about 50 days to complete the crossing between Spain and Australia. The operation was repeated in 2014 with the second ship HMAS 'Adelaide' whose construction is progressing well at the shipyard in Ferrol of the Spanish public company.

According to reports at the time the total costs of the two LHD freight to Australia is around 20 million euros. The choice of shipping via loading was preferred to the traditional towing system for reasons including safety and efficiency...More

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (2) 1983 Crew

It was great to catch up with Kev and Lynn Purkiss whilst they were on holiday in WA, Kev and I served in HMAS CANBERRA in 1983-84 and did the NWIO Deployment.

Kevin was a ABFC in HMAS Canberra, he also served in HMAS Vampire, HMAS Yarra and HMAS Darwin.

We had a great night discussing the 1983 deployment and remembering our old shipmates.

Kev and Bickies

___________________________________________________________________________

USS Canberra Association - Newsletter

USS Canberra 2012 Summer Newsletter...more

*******************************************************************

Mr John Gaynor took this image of a plaque dedicated to the USS Canberra, the plaque is located at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

Mr John Gaynor is my Uncle, he served in the Australian Army in Borneo, he left the Army and joined the RAAF.

_______________________________________________________________________

RAN Ships - Janes Fighting Ships 1926

Mr Paul Ellis recently found a copy of Janes Fighting Ships - 1926, it gives an interesting snapshot of the RAN Fleet between WW1 and WW2.

HMAS Canberra 1 is mentioned as being laid down in 1925, HMAS Australia was also being built at the same time in Scotland UK.

The commissioning crew for HMAS Canberra 1 was mainly drawn from the HMAS Sydney 1 crew who decommissioned HMAS Sydney in 1928.

Mr Paul Ellis is my brother in law, he served in the RAN as a Marine Techical sailor.

_______________________________________________________________________

Vale - Tracy Quigley

Mark and Tracy Quigley at the HMAS Canberra Reunion in 2011.

Vale - Tracy Quigley

Tracy Quigley passed away suddenly early in May 2012, her husband Mark commissioned HMAS Canberra.

Tracy attended the first HMAS Canberra Reunion in 2001, she quickly became a member of the "HMAS Canberra" extended naval Family. Tracy was a very warm and caring person who will be sadly missed by her Family and friends.

Tracy's Memorial Service was attend by over 200 people from the local community, in addittion many of Mark's Navy colleagues and their partners attended to pay their respects to Tracy and to support Mark and the Family.

Terry O'Connor posted this on Facebook to Tracy after her Memorial Service:

I can say that Tracy had a send off befitting a member of the Canberra family. We sang, we drank, we sang, we saw Sir Gavin's tattoo, we sang and we drank. So much sambucca, so much singing in the rain, so many tears. Such a party. Tracy, we will miss you, but we will remember your send off, and the local pub will never forget the night the "Canberra" family said goodbye.

_______________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Images available

Simon Owen has 2 x HMAS Canberra 2 Images on backing boards for sale.

Simon prefers them to go to someone who has served/knew someone who served on the HMAS Canberra.

The Images have not come out that well, bad light and reflections but they are photo quality and in excellent condition.

The larger image is mounted on a wooden backing board and the 61cm long x 51 cm wide - it would be fairly rare I would imagine as it not only shows the HMAS Canberra but all 3 DDG's together (HMAShips Hobart, Perth and Brisbane).

The smaller image is on a backing board of the HMAS Canberra is 51 cm long and 41 cm wide.

Cost $200 for the larger image and $180 for the smaller image, however the price is open to offers.

Buyer will have to pay postage/freight also but I will ensure they are packed up well.

Please feel free to contact Simon via email simon.owen@rocketmail.com

________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Operation DAMASK VI

Legend of Anzac lives on

Story by Matt Dean of The Coff's Coast Advocate - 25 April 2012

Former HMAS Canberra (2) Operation DMASK VI Veteran Scott Miles features in this article

THE legend of the Anzacs forged in Gallipoli is today proudly epitomised in these Coffs Coast servicemen.

Among the last surviving World War II veterans, decorated Diggers Doug Dyson and Bill Owers couldn't be prouder to stand alongside the new generation of Anzacs the likes of Gulf and Iraq war veterans Craig Dunstone, Grant Roder and Scott Miles.

As the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day approaches, the average age of Australia's last surviving World War II veterans is 88 years.

For Doug, 95, a famed Rat of Tobruk, and Bill, 96, who fought right through the duration of the war (1939-1945), being joined by Australia's younger generation of veterans on Anzac Day is what matters most.

Coffs Harbour RSL sub-branch president Bob Payne said an open invitation has been made to all Diggers, war veterans, service men and woman and to the families of veterans to take part in today's march and services and commemorate Australia's most important occasion.

"Standing right here at the Cenotaph is an example of Coffs Harbour's Diggers old and new," Bob said.

"It will soon be up to the generations that have followed Korean and Vietnam veterans to take up the banner or the torch to keep the tradition alive and make sure the remembrance continues.

Mr Payne shot down criticisms aired in the national media that Australia has overstated the legend of its fighting forces and that the Anzac Day commemoration is potentially divisive for new Australians.

"I speak on behalf of the Coffs Harbour sub-branch in saying we make apologies to no one for commemorating the Australians who have died in war and to all those who have served this great country," he said.

"It is ridiculous to say Anzac Day should be toned down ahead of the 2015 100-year anniversary of Anzac Day.

"In Coffs Harbour we encourage as many people as possible to march and pay their respects.

"Lest We Forget the legacy of the Diggers."

World War II Diggers Doug Dyson and Bill Owers flanked by Iraqi and Gulf war veterans Craig Dunstone, Grant Roder and Scott Miles.

Craig Dunstone (left)

Squadron Leader

Royal Australian Airforce

Service: 12 years

Craig served as an air traffic controller at Baghdad Airport during the Iraq War 2003 to 2004.

"It's part of service life to commemorate Anzac Day, I too have mates who aren't around anymore and I march for them."

Grant Roder (second from left)

Able Seaman

Royal Australia Navy

Service: Eight years

Royal Australia Navy

Grant served on H.M.A.S Sydney and Melbourne in the Persian Gulf upholding trade sanctions on Iraq and safeguarding offshore oil rigs. He also served in the Solomon Islands in 2004.

"To me Anzac Day is making sure the memory of First World War and World War II Diggers is never forgotten, my grandfather served in Malaysia and in 2004 I marched alongside him in Kyogle, it was a lifetime highlight."

Scott Miles (rear)

Able Seaman

Royal Australian Navy

Service: 10 years

Scott served on H.M.A.S Canberra during Damask-6 the RAN mission in the Northern Red Sea during the Gulf War.

"Anzac Day is about paying respect to the fallen and living up to the precedent set by the generations of Anzacs who have preceded us."

Doug Dyson (front middle)

Australian Army

3rd Anti-Tank Regiment supporting the Australian 6th and 9th Division

Enlisted in 1923 and served in war from 1940 in 1945.

Doug was a "Rat of Tobruk" the name given to Anzacs soldiers who held the Libyan city under a heavy siege from Afrika Corps.

"Anzac Day has reunited me with all of my mates over the years. I am one of the last of my regiment left. On Anzac Day now at the age of 95 I just sit down, listen and enjoy a scotch toasted to the men I served with."

Bill Owers (right)

Australian Army

2nd/4th Battalion

Served in war 1939 to 1945

Bill served in Haifa, Palestine, Egypt and fought Italian forces in Libya, Bardia, Tobruk, Greece and Crete.

He returned to Australia after the fall of Port Moresby and served in Wee Wak PNG until the Japanese surrender.

"The most honourable thing I did during the war was serve as a wireless radio technician. The army radios weren't suited to the tropics and myself and two other men stripped them down to the bare chassis and covered them in boiling rubber. We made sure the communications kept being made to Port Moresby - I like to think we saved many lives."...More

________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association Banner lives on in Queensland

Former HMAS Canberra (2) Sailor keeps the tradition alive.

The HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association in Queensland disbanded in 2006, since then former HMAS Canberra (2) sailor Christine Howitt ( nee Mann) has been carrying the banner with the local Scout Unit, unfortuately no WW 2 veterans marched this year.

Christine Howitt and her daughter proudly display the HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association Queensland Banner - Anzac Day in Brisbane 2012

Chris served in HMAS Canberra in 1994 and was one of the first female sailors to serve in the ship.

Chris is another HMAS Canberra sailor that understands and demonstrates her commitment to the fine traditions of the RAN in remembering the contributions of the men who served in HMAS CANBERRA and HMAS SHROPSHIRE " Lest we Forget"

Luke "Whips" Leather is currently looking for ex - HMAS Canberra (2) personnel in Queensland to reactivate the Association in Queensland, if you are interested please contact him via his email

aquatude-luke@bigpond.com

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 2 FFG-02

Latest Diving Video - 05 May 2012

_________________________________________________________________________

ANZAC DAY 2012 - Perth WA

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division

The HMAS CANBERRA and HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association marched on ANZAC Day in Perth for the first time since 2008, 31 personnel marched which included former HMAS Canberra (2) Ships Company in addition to 2 x HMAS SHROPSHIRE WW2 Veterans and family members.

The march was lead by Commander Teresa Blackman RANR who served in HMAS Canberra - Operation Damask VI 92-93, the Banner was carried by Lee" Bickies" Webster and Wade Wag" Green. The HMAS Shropshire WW2 veterans Jack Gallagher and Bill Kynaston lead the HMAS Canberra 2 ships company.

Many Thanks to everyone who attended, It was a wonderful day and it was great catching up with everyone.

Yours Aye,

Lee

Lee “Bickies” Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association – WA Division

Many Thanks to everyone who attended, It was a wonderful day and it was great catching up with everyone.

Yours Aye,

Lee

Lee “Bickies” Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association – WA Division

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA FFG 02 Stalwart needs help for Family member.

Phil "Mac" McDonald

CPOB Phil "Mac" McDonald is fund raising with his Family to assist his sister Julie Shultz who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Julie is trying to gain access to a trail treatment called the Liberation Treatment for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI).

The treatment unblocks previously ignored blockages in veins leading to the brain and results are reversal of symptoms. Julie needs to raise $US 9,000 to recieve the treatment and cover costs.

Mac's sister Julie

My wife Carol and I visited Julie and Rob in Missouri last year, we had a wonderful time and really felt the love within the Family, it was clear to us that Julie was struggling with the effects of MS and it was effecting the family greatly. Julie has 2 great kids Reece and Alycia who are currently studying at University. The family has been under incredible financial pressure since Julie was diagnosed and has had to leave work.

Rob and Julie met when he was serving in USS Mussouri during the Australian bicentenial celebrations in 1988 and married shortly after, since leaving the USN Rob has worked at the US Veterans Hospital in Missouri.

I can not think of anyone more deserving to undergo this potentially life changing treatment for MS than Julie.

If you require further information and want to assist Mac's sister Julie please go to this link

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (1) Greek Connection

Memories of fire - Excerpt from the memoirs of Symparoikou Panos Liveris, who lived in the fire of World War deep in the skin

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en

By EUGENIA PAVLOPOULOS

19 April 2012

Can Panos Liveris is no longer with us, but ... "memories of fire" who lived as a sailor of the Australian Navy will always be. Panos left the worldly age of 73 years in 1996.

Panos Liberia Naftaki at 19

Baby boy arrived in Australia in 1923 with his parents and brother. The family settled permanently in North Queensland Ingram, an area which at that time had chosen to settle and many other families Kastellorizo immigrants.

At 19 years old, Panos joined the Royal Australian Navy. It was 1942 and the Second World War had flared up for good in every corner of the globe. The ugliness of war and the insidious game of death Panos knew from the first days of his tenure as a sailor of HMAS Canberra, the fateful night of August 9, 1942 off Savo Island in the Pacific Ocean. After assault on Japanese ships, the HMAS Canberra has reached the bottom. From the teeth of Death Panos then escaped.

He had barely spent one week of the first real "meeting" the 19 year old sailor with death and fire, when he received the order to sail to New York from where she spent the Atlantic to man along with other colleagues the warship HMS Shropshire, which he donated to the Royal Australian Navy of Great Britain to replace HMAS Canberra...More

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA Commissioning Crew - 13 April 2012

Lee Webster and David Shine

I met with David Shine today in Rockingham for a coffee, David recently had major heart surgery and is still in recovery mode, he was great spirits and it was excellent to catch up with him and his wife Ellen.

POUC David Shine on the bridge of HMAS CANBERRA (2) Circa 1981

__________________________________________________________________________

ANZAC DAY 2012 - Perth WA

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division

Hi Team,

Many Thanks for supporting the HMAS CANBERRA and HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association this ANZAC Day, 28 x former HMAS Canberra (2) Ships Company have indicated they will be marching in addition to 2 x HMAS SHROPSHIRE WW2 Veterans.

Please find the ANZAC DAY 2012 - Order of March for Perth attached, this has all the planning information required for the Anzac Day 2012 March

The forming area for the march is on the corner of St Georges Terrace and William Street; I recommend we form up by 0915 as the march off time will be at 0930 hrs (look for the HMAS CANBERRA – HMAS SHROPSHIRE Banner.)

The HMAS CANBERRA and HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association is contingent Number 30 and we will be marching astern of the Naval Association and other ship Associations.

The plan is to meet at the Lucky Shag Bar at the Barrack Street Jetty on completion of the ANZAC Day March and Service. http://www.luckyshagbar.com.au/

Please let me know if you require any further information.

I look forward to catching up on the day.

Yours Aye,

Lee

Lee “Bickies” Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association – WA Division

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update

Asia Pacific Defence Reporter

02 April 2012

Byline: Geoff Slocombe / Victoria

The two Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships, CANBERRA and ADELAIDE will be the largest ships ever built for the Royal Australian Navy when they come into service in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Based on the Spanish ‘Juan Carlos’ class – in fact virtually identical to them – they will displace 28,000 tonnes. Their roles are to embark, transport and deploy an Army force of up to 1,160 soldiers each by helicopter and landing craft. They will also be an outstanding asset for carrying out or supporting humanitarian missions.

When interviewed by APDR, BAE Systems Australia Director of Maritime, Bill Saltzer, said:

“BAE Systems Australia is proud to be the prime contractor on this critical program for the Australian Government. BAE Systems has a strong reputation and proven capability for managing major naval shipbuilding projects and that capability is being aggressively applied on the LHD project. We are working in close cooperation with our Defence customer as a partner and we are fully committed to both the success of this program and the continuing development of naval shipbuilding and support capability within Australia.

“We have also developed great relationships with the other key members of the LHD team including Navantia, Saab, L3 and the many major equipment providers so that we have one team all pulling in the same direction. Without question, this is a challenging project from many perspectives:
• The largest naval vessel ever produced in Australia and the largest ever inducted into the Australian Defence Force
• Complex combat, communication and other leading edge technology from suppliers all around the globe
• A high degree of systems integration to support the many aspects of amphibious operations (sea, air and land)”

“Even with these challenges and complexities, we are confident that all of the parties involved are committed to supporting each other to achieve a successful result with regard to schedule, budget and most importantly, delivery of the effective mission capabilities needed by the Australian military.”

The Prime Contractor

As Prime Contractor BAE Systems has to manage all sub-contractors as well as the interface with both DMO and the ADF. They are charged with delivering the vessels to the contract specification in Australia.

In addition BAE Systems are responsible for systems engineering for bridge and upper deck design, superstructure fabrication at Williamstown (Melbourne) and Henderson (WA), ship consolidation at Williamstown, combat and other systems integration, then tests, trials and commissioning. At the same time they will provide Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) by delivering operator and maintainer manuals, crew training needs analysis, sparing analysis, then design and develop training for two crews.

BAE Systems will also seek a role in training delivery, provision of spares and loose items and to win a Through Life Support (TLS) contract for material and personnel.

At this stage, Bill Saltzer says:

“Any major naval shipbuilding project has an abundance of schedule risks that must be continuously managed and the LHD project is no exception, especially considering its size and the many mission systems that are involved. There are critical paths running in different elements of the project that have to be managed simultaneously, both in the platform and in the mission systems. BAE Systems Australia has world class capability in this field, a very capable Government customer with whom we work in close cooperation and many very capable subcontractors and suppliers. All of us are committed to ensuring those risks are effectively overcome. There is nothing currently experienced or foreseen that will stop us from achieving success.”

The schedule calls for LHD 1 to arrive at Williamstown in 4th quarter 2012, with handover and sea trials one year later, before delivery to the RAN in the 1st quarter 2014. LHD 2 is due to arrive 1st quarter 2014, to be ready for handover and sea trials 2nd quarter 2015, with delivery in the 3rd quarter 2015.

The Land Based Test Site (LBTS) was installed by July 2011. The major activity is risk mitigation of equipment integration and set to work prior to installation on ship with testing scheduled to finish by the end of 2012.

The LBTS is not a training facility, it is an integration facility in support of ship delivery, and there is no current intent for it to be used for training during the shipbuilding project. The Contractor Temporary Training Facility is being established in Sydney and BAE Systems and the DMO are working through the development and delivery of Training which is targeted to commence by mid 2013.

Navantia is making good progress

The LHD 1 hull was launched at the Navantia shipyard in Ferrol, Spain in February 2011 and, as noted above, is due to arrive at Williamstown Yard in the 4th quarter of this year. It is currently undergoing final fit out of the hospital, store rooms, accommodation and machinery spares.

LHD 2’s hull had its keel laid the day after LHD 1 was launched. Currently 67 of its 105 blocks are erected on the slipway.

In a separate contract Navantia is building 12 LCM-1Es, which are 110 tonne fast landing craft for the LHDs. These vessels are intended to deliver troops and equipment, including tanks, onshore during amphibious assaults. They will also be invaluable in humanitarian operations where no port access is available but suitable landing beaches can be found.

Combat Management Systems (CMS) from Saab

There are several parts to Saab’s contribution to the LHD shipbuilding program. In addition to the Design and Integration of the Combat Direction System, Saab is designing and supplying the CMS, integrating the data links in Australia along with their Data Link Processor subcontractor Northrop Grumman (USA), and supplying their Saab multi-role 3D Giraffe AMB air search radar.

Their CMS is originally a Swedish product selected by Australia for the ANZAC program many years ago and further developed by Saab locally for the highly successful ANZAC Anti-Ship Missile Defence programme – initially trialled on HMAS Perth and now to be fitted to the remainder of the Class. The majority of software and systems engineering work is undertaken in Australia except for some modules which had already been completed in Sweden on other programs. The hardware is mostly Swedish designed and manufactured.

The total package is being brought together in Australia using local expertise by Saab Systems, and they will take total responsibility for it as one of the principal sub-contractors to BAE Systems.

When asked to comment on the LHD project’s progress, a spokesman said that it is generally running according to plan and so the company is confident that the end will be reached on schedule. The Combat Direction System is integrated and successfully working in the LHD LBTS in preparation for higher level testing later this year, which is expect to finish on time. The level of Engineering Change Proposals raised in our scope of the project is at normal levels. According to the company, these are predominantly correction of minor requirements and design changes, and the management of baseline product artefacts as we progress through the development process. Some number are related to extensions to the scope of work such as the recently agreed training system and training material delivery contract change. Not many have arisen from test activities at this stage. Because the ship acquisition is MOTS procurement, the level of changes is relatively small when compared to a pure development project.

Richard Price, Saab Systems MD, told APDR:

“Saab is confident with the progress and performance of Saab’s deliverables to the LHD Project, which we expect to be achieved on schedule. This is consistent with our recent performance, such as for the ANZAC ASMD project”

L-3 Communications is providing the communication systems

APDR has previously examined the reasons why L-3 Communications were selected for this project and what capabilities they will provide to the LHDs – see ‘LHD Communications Suite’ APDR August 2010.

L-3's LHD communication system being installed includes all external and internal communication subsystems, Maritime Tactical WAN, IT Networks, CCTV, Data Links, Entertainment and Training subsystems and the Broadcast & Alarm System.

Training

A huge effort is being devoted to developing LHD training systems, initially in advance of the LHDs becoming available, but later to mitigate the need to send crew to sea just for this activity.

The main contracts for training signed with the Commonwealth of Australia are with KBR for virtual ship training; Kongsberg for the LHD Engineering System Trainer (LEST); L-3 Communications for communications operator and maintenance training; Sperry Marine for the integrated bridge management system; and Saab for combat systems operator and maintenance training.

The Saab spokesman said:

“Saab has been contracted to provide training equipment and course material for a purpose designed LHD training facility. We expect to deliver this training system and material according to schedule in mid-2013, with training delivery to be undertaken as separate scope after this time.”

The most spectacular training development is the employment of avatars - on-screen, virtual-reality images that represent crew members, including their personalities, traits and habits. KBR has assembled a consortium of Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems, Catalyst Interactive – a Canberra-based KBR company – and Crytek to undertake the development of a Virtual Ship Training and Information System (ViSTIS). The CryEngine® 3 - software developed for computer games – was used to build a three dimensional model of the LHD. Avatars of the trainee can be sent to any part of the ship for familiarisation tasks, or a whole group can be briefed on their roles in any operation and carry out rehearsals. Up to 100 personnel at any one time can use this virtual ship to participate in simulated exercises and emergency response scenarios from all over the country, without having to be in the same location.

Williamstown Yard preparations

According to Bill Saltzer there are two aspects to this task, yard production and facility readiness to receive the LHD 1 hull.

All four superstructure blocks are now built and are currently being outfitted at Williamstown. Two blocks have been blasted and painted and the other two blocks are in the blast and paint facility. All three masts are built in the BAE Systems yard in Henderson WA and continue to be outfitted prior to transportation to the Williamstown site for consolidation with the other superstructure build blocks.

The facility readiness program is on a tight schedule with four broad areas of work - Mooring and Access; Services to the Wharf; Heavy Lift preparations to allow the superstructure blocks to be lifted; and the Stand-By Crew Facility. All four areas of scope have been contracted and work is progressing to the planned schedule.

Moving the LHD 1 hull to Australia

The Navantia shipyard in northern Spain is on an estuary. While the LHD 1 hull was launched off the slipway into this estuary, then brought by tugs alongside a dock to complete the contracted work, this poses problems for transporting the hull to Williamstown.

The chosen solution is to use the semi-submersible heavy lift ship, MV Blue Marlin, to transport the hull on its deck. However, the 7.2 metre draft hull will be moved by tugs to the adjacent port of A Coruña, which has the necessary depth for the Blue Marlin to submerge beneath the hull.

Although the shortest route from Spain to Australia is through the Suez Canal, Navantia have chosen to come via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid canal scheduling uncertainties and also piracy threats along the east African coast. The transit is expected to start in the August/September timeframe with 2 days for float on, 45 days for transit, and 2 days for float off at Williamstown.

Is this going to be a model project?

It has been generally agreed that the ten ship ANZAC shipbuilding programme was the most successful in recent naval construction. Adapting an existing design, for the Meko 200 German frigate, took a lot of schedule risk and cost out of the ANZAC frigate project.

Now with the LHD project, similar MOTS considerations apply by choosing and adapting the Spanish Juan Carlos 1 design. However, the combat and communication systems specified by the Australian Government are different from those used on the Spanish vessel. As a result, the number of design changes on the platform systems are about as BAE Systems expected, while the number of changes driven by the different combat and communication systems are greater. Part of project management is a process for change management and BAE Systems have that process in place with their customer and subcontractors/suppliers.

In future years, the LHD programme may be viewed to be as successful as the ANZAC frigate programme...More

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division

Past meets Present.

Past Presidents of the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division, Mr Bill Kynaston and Mr Jack Gallagher met with the current President Lee Webster and Vice President Wade Green to discuss the ANZAC Day March in Perth 2012.

L-R Lee Webster - Jack Gallagher - Bill Kynaston - Wade Green

It was great to catch up with Bill and Jack who served in HMAS SHROPSHIRE during WW 2, their support has been invaluable in reactivating the Association in Western Australia.

It made for a excellent Good Friday.

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association – WA Division

__________________________________________________________________________

RAN - Serving Australia with Pride

Navy's past, present and future are highlighted here in an exciting video, released to coincide with Anzac Day 2012

Features video of HMAS CANBERRA 3

The Canberra-class landing ships will be the largest warships ever operated by Australian Navy. Displacement is 27,851 tons; length is 230.8 meters; beam is 32 meters; draft is 7.18 meters; speed is 20.5 knots; crew is 243 men (max 279 men), troop capacity is 978 men (max 1,124 men); deck capacity is 3,290 sq meters (up to 100 armored vehicles), helicopter hangar capacity is 990 square meters; air wing is 12-24 helicopters; armament is 4 x 25-mm deck-based stabilized gun mounts.

______________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division Committee

The HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division has been reactivated in Western Australia

02 April 2012

The new committee is being assisted by 2 stalwarts of the WA Division of the Association Mr Bill Kynaston and the last and former President of the Association Mr Jack Gallagher, both Bill and Jack served in HMAS SHROPSHIRE during WW 2 and have been a part of the Association in WA since 1952.

The WA Division of the Association has been inactive for the past 3 years due to the passing of many HMAS CANBERRA (1) and HMAS SHROPSHIRE World War 2 veterans. Today only 12 HMAS CANBERRA (1) and HMAS SHROPSHIRE veterans are living in Western Australia.

The first priority for the new committee is to ensure the Association is represented at the ANZAC DAY March in Perth this year. It will be the first time that members from HMAS CANBERRA (1), HMAS CANBERRA (2) and HMAS SHROPSHIRE will be marching together on ANZAC Day in Perth. Approx 25 HMAS CANBERRA (2) personnel will be marching.

Mr Bill Kynaston and Mr Jack Gallagher recently presented the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association Banner to Lee Webster so that the history and fine traditions of Association and the two great RAN ships it represents may be passed on to former members of HMAS CANBERRA FFG 02 Ships Company.

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division Committee 2012

L-R Greg Brumby - John Scarfe - Teresa Blackman - Lee Webster - Ray Graham - Wade Green

If you are interested in marching in Perth on Anzac Day please contact me via email

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association – WA Division

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 2 FFG-02

Latest Diving Video - 02 April 2012

Ex HMAS CANBERRA Summer 2012 from Alan Beckhurst on Vimeo.

Excellent High Definition video of the ship 2 years after being scuttled

__________________________________________________________________________

Scuttled ship has special memories

BY ADAM COUZENS

08 Oct, 2009 01:00 AM

2SENTIMENTAL: Eric McKenzie with a painting of HMAS Canberra, which was scuttled on Sunday to become an artificial reef.

I recently found this article from the LAKES MAIL Newspaper that features Eric "Macca" McKenzie who Commissioned HMAS CANBERRA (2)

DORA Creek's Eric "Macca" McKenzie was present for the commissioning of the 138-metre, 4100-tonne Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Canberra more than 28 years ago.

But he was gladly absent when the FFG-7 Class Guided Missile Frigate was scuttled off Geelong on Sunday to become a tourist wreck for scuba divers.

"I'm glad I wasn't there," the 58-year-old said, for "sentimental" reasons.

"I watched it on YouTube," he said.

"One of my mates who was there took a video of it and put it on YouTube.

"It took about 21/2 minutes [to sink].

"They did a good job. She went down on an even keel."

He added: "I will probably go down and dive on it later."

A naval clearance diver for 20 years until 1986, Mr McKenzie was chosen among an elite crew for HMAS Canberra's commissioning in Seattle, in the US on March 21, 1981.

He was one of three divers, whose tasks included disposing of unexploded mines.

Mr McKenzie remembered a potentially fateful mishap on board just six months after the commissioning when a live missile fell off a launcher during loading in Los Angeles.

It amuses him now to recall that a US sailor tried to run for his life.

"I think he thought he was going to outrun the explosion," Mr McKenzie laughed.

Fortunately, the missile did not detonate, but Mr McKenzie was then called on to defuse it.

"It was in three pieces," he recalled. "I said, 'You're kidding, you guys. There's the warhead, and that's all I can help you with. I'm out of here.' "

POCD Eric Makenzie in 1981

Mr McKenzie spent 18 months on HMAS Canberra as a diver and flight deck officer.

It was a relatively brief period in a naval career spanning two decades, but it produced some of the strongest friendships of Mr McKenzie's life.

"It was a hand-picked crew," he said. "The navy doesn't send idiots overseas, and these guys were great . . . just like the CD [clearance divers], everyone had a positive attitude.

"If you can't laugh when everything's going wrong and it's in the middle of the night and pissing down rain, then you're in the wrong place."

Surviving crew members reunited for the vessel's decommissioning in in 2005, and one month ago in Geelong to mark the scuttling...More

______________________________________________________________________

The HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association NSW Division have promugated their latest Newsletter that gives the details for Anzac Day 2012 and the 70th HMAS CANBERRA Memorial Service in Sydney...More

Many Thanks to

Chris Johnston
President
HMAS Canberra/HMAS Shropshire Association – NSW Division

_______________________________________________________________________

Chris Oxenbould appointed chair of Yachting Australia National Safety Committee

Chris Oxenbould - Commanding Officer HMAS Canberra (2) 1984-1985

Yachting Australia is pleased to announce that Chris Oxenbould AO has accepted an appointment as chair of the National Safety Committee.

Chris Oxenbould retired as Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Navy in 1999 after 37 years in the service, the last six as a Rear Admiral. His career included command of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet and the Australian Task Group during the first Gulf War. He specialised as a navigator and warfare officer and spent a good deal of his career at sea including commands of the destroyer HMAS Perth and the frigate HMAS Canberra.

Since his retirement from the Navy Chris has held CEO positions with New South Wales Maritime, Newcastle Port Corporation and Sydney Ferries. He continues to work part time as a strategic adviser with Transfield Services. Chris is an experienced ocean racing yachtsman with more than 40 years experience sailing off the southeast coast of Australia, and he has competed in 10 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races. He was the chairman of the 2000 and 2001 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Committees.

More recently, Chris chaired the internal Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 2009 Flinders Islet Inquiry. He has been a member of the National Safety Committee since 2010 and therefore has a good working understanding of his new role.

“I am very pleased to accept this opportunity and look forward to working with the committee and the broader yachting community to achieve the very important task before the National Safety Committee,” he said.

For the past two years Yachting Australia President David Gotze has acted as chairman of the National Safety Committee and will continue to serve on the committee as an ex-officio member.

Yachting Australia CEO Phil Jones has welcomed Chris Oxenbould to the role.

“Chris brings a wealth of experience and I’m sure will make an extremely valuable contribution to the sailing community as chairman of the National Safety Committee. It is difficult to think that there could be anyone with better credentials for this important role,” said Jones. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Yachting Australia President David Gotze for the role he has played since 2010 when the Committee was restructured and look forward to him still being involved in an ex-officio capacity.”...More

Craig Heydon, Tuesday, 27 March 2012

________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (1) at Opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge 1932

The Sydney Harbour Bridge celebrated the 80th Anniversary its opening in 1932 this week.

HMAS CANBERRA (1) was a present at the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the 19 March 1932, she was at anchor Farm Cove fully dressed ship.

_________________________________________________________________________

70 th Anniversary of HMAS CANBERRA (1) Sinking 1942

The Flag Post

Information and Research from the Commonwealth Parlimentary Library

MARCH 23, 2012

The 70th anniversary of the Second World War events of 1942— ‘Australia’s perilous year’: April to December

On 19 February 2012, the 70th anniversary of the first bombing of Darwin, Prime Minister Julia Gillard described 1942 as ‘the darkest year in Australia’s history’. Throughout 2012, 70th anniversary commemorations will be held for some of the most crucial events in Australian military history.

Following on from a previous post noting some of the important 70th anniversaries occurring in February and March, this post highlights important anniversaries from April to December 2012. Details of special 70th anniversary commemorative events are included where they are known, but all the incidents discussed below are commemorated in some way every year...more

The sinking of HMAS Canberra (9 August 1942)

The heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (I) was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island during the US occupation of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from 7 August 1942. Early on 9 August the naval force screening the invading troops was surprised by a group of Japanese vessels. Canberra was immediately struck by shellfire and torpedoes killing 84 of the crew, including Captain Frank Getting. Damaged beyond repair, Canberra was deliberately sunk the next day by US vessels. Also lost in the battle were cruisers USS Quincy,Vincennes, and Astoria, and 939 US servicemen.

There are currently no known 70th anniversary commemorative events scheduled.

_________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Stalwart turns 90 yrs old

Mackenzie Gregory

Mackenzie "Mac" Gregory is probably the most celebrated HMAS Canberra and HMAS Shropshire veteran in Australia, he turned 90 yrs old recently.

Serving during World War II, he survived the sinking of the HMAS Canberra and was aboard the HMAS Shropshire off the coast of Japan when the Japanese signed for peace.

Mac's commitment and dedication to HMAS Canberra and HMAS Shropshire and the people he served with is simply remarkable, he is the current President of the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association Victorian Division. Mac's contribution to Naval History has been extensive, he runs a a excellent website:

Ahoy - Mac's Web Log Naval, Maritime, Australian History and more

The site is dedicated to all "Who went down to the sea in ships" in World War 2, in whatever capacity they may have served the cause of freedom, but especially to the Eighty Four Officers and Men who died in H.M.A.S. Canberra at the Battle of Savo Island, on the 9th of August, 1942..More

Mackenzie Gregory, was the 2011 recipient of the Pride of Australia Community Spirit medal.

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (2) celebrates 31st Birthday

HMAS CANBERRA was commissioned on the 21 March 1981 in Seattle, Washington USA

HMAS CANBERRA Birthday Celebrations 1981-2005

__________________________________________________________________________

USS ASTORIA CA-34 - Website

USS ASTORIA CA-34

The Battle of Savo Island: 9 August 1942

The USS ASTORIA CA-34 was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island, she along with 2 other US Cruisers the USS QUINCY and USS VINCENNES were sunk in the same action that HMAS CANBERRA (1) was lost 0n the 09 August 1942.

The USS ASTORIA CA-34 has a dedicated website that gives excellent insight into the Battle of Savo Island from the ships prospective.

The USS ASTORIA, USS QUINCY and USS VINCENNES and their crews are always remembered in HMAS CANBERRA Memorial Services and the assistance that the USN gave HMAS CANBERRA will never be forgotten.

The webmaster Brett Jones has done a great job.

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA (1) Sailor Shot to Death in Townsville - September 8, 1938

Peggy Moore, alias Renee Lorraine, was arrested on September 8, 1938, for the murder of Douglas Johnstone at Heraud Street in Townsville. Johnstone, a naval rating (enlisted man) on the HMAS Canberra, approached Moore’s home in the company several of his shipmates. It was alleged that the sailors attempted to gain entry to the house by banging and kicking the front and rear doors, eventually breaking a side window.

Upon hearing the glass break, Peggy Moore retrieved a revolver from the kitchen and threatened a man whom she saw peering in through the shattered window. As the front door was further battered, Moore moved out onto the veranda and saw Douglas Johnstone poised to throw a bottle at her. Moore shot at Douglas, hitting and killing him. All the sailors present denied breaking a window, and also denied that Douglas was carrying a bottle.

On November 7, 1938, Peggy Moore was found not guilty of murder. She was, however, found guilty of possessing an unlicensed firearm, for which she was fined ₤20 with 6 shillings in costs...More

Queensland Police Service News- March 13, 2012

Brisbane Courier Newspaper article 14 September 1938

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra - Social Networking

HMAS Canberra Facebook

HMAS Canberra - Shropshire Association

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra - 13 March Newsletter

Newsletter available...More

__________________________________________________________________________

ANZAC Day 2012

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION - Western Australia Division

The HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION in Western Australia is inviting all former members of HMAS CANBERRA (2) Ships Company to march with the Association on ANZAC Day 2012 in Perth this year.

It will be great for HMAS CANBERRA (2) Ships Company to support the WW2 veterans of HMAS CANBERRA (1) and HMAS SHROPSHIRE in this the 70th year since HMAS CANBERRA (1) was sunk in WW 2.

I know that the personnel from FFG- 02 are keen to march under the HMAS CANBERRA banner on Anzac Day and want to demonstrate that they are truly"Second to None"

If you are interested in marching in Perth on Anzac Day please contact Lee "Bickies" Webster

webmaster@hmascanberra.com

___________________________________________________________________________

Water jug a memorial for HMAS Canberra s dead

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2000
QLD: Water jug a memorial for HMAS Canberra s dead

BRISBANE, Aug 2 AAP - An officer's copper water jug has become an unofficial memorial
for 84 Australian sailors killed when HMAS Canberra was hit by shellfire during World
War II.

The water jug survived because of the quick thinking of Leading Signalman Bill Pickup,
who went below deck to get blankets for the injured that day, August 9, 1942.

Mr Pickup, of Clontarf near Brisbane, today handed the jug and a pair of binoculars,
also from the Canberra, to Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Scott for use in the upcoming
television series Australians At War.

Mr Scott said the heavy cruiser Canberra was hit at the Battle of Savo Island during
the war in the Pacific.

"Mr Pickup's quick thinking in grabbing the officer's water jug to hold drinking water
should the crew be forced to take to the lifeboats was a commendable humanitarian act,"

Mr Scott said.

"In some way, this jug might now be said to represent a memorial to the men who lost
their lives that day."

Australians are being asked to make available their wartime pieces for possible use
in the television series.

"So far, 1,400 responses have been received covering every conflict in which Australia
has taken part, from the Boer War through to the current UN peacekeeping operations,"

Mr Scott said.

Commissioned by the federal government, Australians At War is scheduled to be screened
on ABC television on Anzac Day next year.

AAP geb/was/br

KEYWORD: JUG

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CHOULES PARTICIPATES IN EXERCISE SQUADEX

08 MARCH 2012

Exercise SQUADEX is currently being conducted in waters off Townsville and Cowley Beach in North Queensland and is the first of a series of two exercises in which Australia's newest ship, HMAS Choules, conducts amphibious and flying operations with elements of the Australian Army.

HMAS Choules delivers a significant amphibious capacity which can be used in warlike and humanitarian operations.

The focus of the exercises is to work closely with Army in the lead up to the introduction of the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Ships.

HMAS Choules can accommodate two large helicopters, 150 light trucks and up to 350 troops. The ship is commanded by Commander John Cowan, CSC, RAN.

Imagery of HMAS Choules at Exercise SQUADEX 2012 is available on the Royal Australian Navy Media Library.

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS SHROPSHIRE Naval Memorial Park, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia

Park dedicated to the 8 inch cruiser HMAS SHROPSHIRE, her World War Two crew, and her sailors who have since died.

The HMAS SHROPSHIRE Naval Memorial Park was created through the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association in Tasmania and is a tribute to the Men who served in the "Lucky Ship" HMAS SHROPSHIRE, the park also has a memorial to HMAS CANBERRA.

HMS Shropshire was a Royal Navy (RN) heavy cruiser of the London sub-class of County class cruisers. She is the only ship to have been named after Shropshire, England. Completed in 1929, Shropshire served with the RN until 1942, when she was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) following the loss of sister ship HMAS Canberra. Commissioned asHMAS Shropshire, the ship remained in RAN service until 1949, and was sold for scrap in 1954.

Ex-serving veterans of HMAS SHROPSHIRE who have passed on are permitted to have a memorial in the Park this is organised through the Ulverstone Council and Veterans Affairs

Many Thanks to Andrew Fitzgerald commissioning Crew HMAS CANBERRA (2) who took these images of HMAS SHROPSHIRE Naval Memorial Park, Ulverstone, Tasmania

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA 1988 Images

The images below were taken during the Australian Bicentenial Celebrations in 1988, the former Commanding Officer Simon Harrington was kind enough to send them to me to be placed on the website.

HMAS CANBERRA played a major role in Australia's Bicentennial Celebrations in 1988, she escorted the Tall ships from Hobart, Tasmania to Sydney Harbour, fired a 88 Gun salute prior to the fireworks display to celebrate Australia Day 1988 and escorted Her Majesties Royal Yacht Britannia with the HRH Queen Elizabeth II embarked from Sydney to Brisbane to celebrate Expo 88

The images below are of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, theHMAS CANBERRA Ships Company and HMAS CANBERRA (2) taken from HMY BRITANNIA.

__________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra Operation Damask VI Flight Commander appointed to COMMANDER AUSTRALIAN FLEET

Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, AM, CSC, RAN was appointed Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT) on 22 December 2011. As COMAUSFLT, he is responsible for all Navy ships, submarines, aircraft squadrons, diving teams and establishments, and the personnel serving in those units.

Rear Admiral Barrett is both an aircrew and seaman officer. In a career spanning over three decades, he has served at sea in HMA Ships Melbourne (II), Perth (II), Brisbane (II) and HMS Orkney as a seaman officer and in Stalwart (II), Adelaide (II) and Canberra (II) as Flight Commander.

His staff appointments have included Deputy Director Air Warfare Development and Deputy Director Maritime Aviation within Australian Defence Headquarters, Helicopter Operational Test Director in Maritime Headquarters and the Director of Naval Officers Postings in Canberra.

He has held significant charge and command positions within the Navy's Flight Trials Unit, at 817 Squadron and HMAS Albatross, the Navy's Air Station and Commander, Navy Aviation Group, which was responsible for raising and sustaining the Fleet Air Arm. He has been Director General Defence Force Recruiting and most recently was Commander Border Protection Command. As commander of the whole of government multi-agency organisation, he was responsible for the security of Australia's maritime domain utilising resources from both the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Customs Border Protection Service.

Rear Admiral Barrett holds a BA in history and politics and a Master of Defence Studies, both conferred by University of NSW. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2006 for service in command of HMAS Albatross and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009 for his services to Navy.

___________________________________________________________________________

USS Canberra Association - Newsletter

USS Canberra 2012 Spring Newsletter...more

___________________________________________________________________________

Navy Proud to Serve

RAN 2011 Public Relations Video, quick snippets of HMAS Canberra 1 and 2

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 2 FFG-02

Latest Diving Video - 04 Feb 2012

Extensive Growth on the upperdeck

___________________________________________________________________________

Former Commanding Officer HMAS Canberra (2) awarded Commmendation for Distinguished Service

Commodore Roger Livingstone BOYCE RAN, ACT

For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as Deputy Commander
Joint Task Force 633 on Operation SLIPPER in the Middle East Area of Operations
from April to October 2010.

Commodore Boyce displayed exceptional dedication, leadership, foresight, initiative and
productivity during a period of intense combat operations and organisational change in the
Middle East Area of Operations.

He worked tirelessly to improve procedures, enhance efficiency and support his commander and the commanders of subordinate task groups, and he excelled in the management of critical issues including combat fatalities. On several occasions he commanded Joint Task Force 633 during very demanding periods of activity, leading with distinction, compassion and energy...More

********************************************************************************************************

Commander Roger Boyce RAN on the bridge wing of HMAS CANBERRA (2) in 2002

This is the second time Roger has been awarded with the Commmendation for Distinguished Service, he recieved the award in 2003 For distinguished performance of duty as Commanding Officer, HMAS CANBERRA, during Operation SUTTON and Operation SLIPPER.

Roger served in HMAS Canberra on 3 different occassions, intially as a the Principal Warfare Officer, the Executive Officer in 1994 and the Commanding Officer in 2002 where he was involved in several operations, most notably fisheries apprehension duties in the Southern Ocean, UN monitoring activities in the Solomon Islands and as part of the international MIF in the Persian Gulf...More

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 2 FFG-02

Latest Diving Video - 07 Jan 2012

Latest Diving Video, the ship appears to be listing more to Starboard, the sea surge has been report as very strong making diving difficult at times.

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3

Canberra Times

DAVID ELLERY

07 Jan, 2012 01:00 AM

HMAS Canberra will leave the Navantia shipyard in Spain aboard a heavy-lift ship in July 2012. It is due to arrive at BAE Systems in Williamstown for fit-out work in August...More

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS CANBERRA SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION

01 Jan 2012

To determine the way ahead in forming an Association I conducted a online survey for 6 months to discover how people wanted the Association to be formed, the following are the Survey outcomes:

51 % were in favour of approaching the HMAS Canberra –Shropshire Association to combine

25% were in favour of forming an Independent HMAS Canberra Association

24% were in favour of forming an Association under the Naval Association

Based on the result of the Survey and with the support from ex-HMAS Canberra 2 Ships Company and the surviving members of the HMAS Canberra HMAS Shropshire Association (WA Division).I have decided to to pursue combining with the HMAS Canberra Shropshire Association.

THE objects of the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association constitution have always made provision for HMAS Canberra 2 Ships Company to join the Association as follows:

"To bring together those men who served in the ship bearing the name HMAS Canberra prior to and during World War II, and also those men who served in the ship bearing the name HMAS Shropshire during and after World War II, and also to welcome and encourage participation in the Association by those men of the Royal Australian Navy who serve in any future ships bearing the name HMAS Canberra or HMAS Shropshire"

I have been investigating the status of the HMAS Canberra- Shropshire Association in Australia.

The HMAS Canberra- Shropshire Association was formed in each state of Australia, the NSW and Victorian Divisions are most active, and hold a Annual Reunion, AGM's, Anzac Day and Memorial Services.

The South Australian branch is still active with few members and marches on Anzac Day with the assistance of the Naval Association and a few members from HMAS Canberra 2.

The Western Australian Division has disbanded; however 6 members of the Association are still in contact.

The Queensland Division of the Association was disbanded in 2005.

The Tasmania Division of the Association has been disbanded.

The Australian Capital Territory no longer has any representation for the Association.

***********************

The WAY AHEAD

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION (WA Division) Inc

I am currently working on incorporating the HMAS CANBERRA -SHROPSHIRE Association in Western Australia, the Association here in WA has been inactive for the past 2-3 years, only 6 members of the orginal Association are still active.

A small committee has been formed in WA that includes 2 members of the original Association and 4 members of the HMAS Canberra (2) Ships Company. I plan to have the Association up and running early in 2012.

When the HMAS CANBERRA -SHROPSHIRE Association is up and running in WA I will be looking to HMAS Canberra (2) Ships Company to re-establish the Association in South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, the ACT and NT.

The New South Wales and Victoria Divisions of the Association are the only states that are fully active with committees and membership.

This year marks the 70th Anniversary since HMAS CANBERRA 1 was sunk on the 09 August 1942 with the loss of 86 personnel in the Battle of Savo Island. It will be great if we are able to support the NSW and Victorian Divisions of the HMAS CANBERRA -SHROPSHIRE Association for Anzac Day and the Memorial Services for HMAS CANBERRA 1 in August 2012.

I will keep you updated as we move forward.

Yours Aye,

Lee "Bickies" Webster

___________________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra

HMAS CANBERRA News - Updated 04 Dec 2012

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (Queensland Division)

Planned reactivation of the Association in Queensland

HMAS CANBERRA 1 Veteran Douglas Ross

HMAS Canberra 3 - Minister of Defence Visit 03 Dec 2012

HMAS Canberra 3 - Bridge Lift

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (ACT Division)

HMAS CANBERRA 2 Shipmate - Michael "Dixie" Lee

HMAS CANBERRA 2 Artefacts

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (Australia)

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Decommissioning Deployment Videos

HMAS Canberra 3 - Time Lapse Video of Arrival

HMAS Canberra 3 - Website Update 22 Oct 2012

HMAS Canberra 3 Update 22 Oct 2012

HMAS CANBERRA - Changing of the Guard from FFG -02 to LHD -02

HMAS CANBERRA (3)

Sharing the same Side Number

Lee Webster President HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (WA Division) Inc.

HMAS Canberra 3 - Arrives in Australia - 17 Oct 2012

The vessel ship lovers have been waiting for has arrived in Port Philip Bay.

HULL OF HUGE NAVY SHIP ARRIVES IN PORT PHILLIP BAY

Webcam Images of MV Blue Marlin entering the Heads at Port Phillip Bay, Australia

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 16 Oct 2012

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 16 Oct 2012

Big ship from out of the blue

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Operation DAMASK VI

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 15 Oct 2012

HMAS Canberra 3

Australian Navy’s Canberra-class LHD programme moves ahead

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (WA Division) Inc

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News - 10 Oct 2012

Landing ship hull approaches Melbourne

Fred Smith and the Spooky Men of the West - Fremantle 06 October 2012

NAVY Club Fremantle WA - Newsletter Oct 2012

_____________________________________________________________________

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News

HMAS Canberra 2 Commissioning Crew - Lindsay Scullin

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage News

Private guards for navy warship as it sails the seas

HMAS Canberra 2 FFG-02

HMAS Canberra 3 - Passage Position updates - www.marinetraffic.com

HMAS Canberra 3 - News Video August 2012

The Executive Committee

The Committee:

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 20 August 2012

Future HMAS Canberra is on the way

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 16 August 2012

NAVY REMEMBERS CANBERRA (I)

Memorial Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 Savo Island - 12 August 2012

Memorial Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 (NSW) - 12 August 2012

Wreath Laying Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 (WA) - 09 August 2012

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 08 August 2012

National Memorial Service for HMAS CANBERRA 1 - 04 August 2012

HMAS CANBERRA (1) Bravery recalled

Bravery recalled as Canberra overwhelmed August 4, 2012

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association (SA Division)

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 26 July 2012

National Memorial Services for HMAS CANBERRA 1

Canberra, ACT

Sydney, NSW

Perth, WA

HMAS CANBERRA 3, captured in construction

Peter Churcher talks about his series of paintings at the Australian War Memorial

HMAS CANBERRA 1 - You Tube Musical Tribute

HMAS Canberra 3 - Progress Update 28 June 2012

Countdown to the transfer of HMAS 'Canberra' to Australia

Revista Naval Review

HMAS CANBERRA (2) 1983 Crew

RAN Ships - Janes Fighting Ships 1926

Vale - Tracy Quigley

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Images available

HMAS CANBERRA (2) Operation DAMASK VI

HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association Banner lives on in Queensland

ANZAC DAY 2012 - Perth WA

HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association WA Division

HMAS CANBERRA (1) Greek Connection

Memories of fire - Excerpt from the memoirs of Symparoikou Panos Liveris, who lived in the fire of World War deep in the skin

HMAS CANBERRA Commissioning Crew - 13 April 2012

Lee Webster
President
HMAS CANBERRA - HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association
(WA Division) Inc.

Bravery recalled as Canberra overwhelmed

August 4, 2012