Being from Hobart and going onboard on quite a few open days as a kid(4-5 times I reckon), then joining up myself and operating with her on Stalwart and Stuart, she always held a special place in my heart.
I was on the Cochrane DDG-21 at Pearl harbor. I remember offloading our ammo at West Loch before entering dry-dock in 81 and offloading the missiles (SM1) and the 5" shells just as shown here. Anyone who has ever served in Adam's class knows this drill well. These were great well-armed and well-balanced ships. If they had an Achilles heel it was the 1200 pound steam plant. A real maintenance hog if ever there was one. I would not have traded my time on a DDG for anything. (FTG1(SW) / MAJ FA)
I was on DDG 14 the Buchanan in '71 during Vietnam. The Adam's class was a huge step up from the Gearing class I previously served on. The galley and mess deck were together on the same deck. Great advantage for the cooks. Hot food had to go down a narrow ladder to the serving line on the Gearing.
My brother & I used to have a run at Garden Island as paperboys in 1971-74 (we were around 10 yrs old). This was one of our favourite ships to visit along with Vampire and Derwent, especially the galley for some of the sultana slices. Always a friendly crew.
Four years of my life on that pretty ship, from cyclone Tracy, around the world tour, nearly getting hit by an Ikara from Stuart and an EVAC of some SAS boys during the Saigon storming by the NVA. Fun Times never forgotten. Vale Hobart
Glad I posted off just before this..... She is looking like an old cougar that knows it's about to die. I was in Port Adelaide just before I went to the Gulf in 02 and saw her sitting at the wharf with no guns, masts, radar etc. Basically just a shell. Needless to say I sunk to my knees and cried.
Either the Tugs are doing a Poor Job; or no Tugs -great job. Statement based on distance bow to pier increases from 3 to 4 minutes in the video. (an American here)
Did the states trip to put the mod 10 on then went back for the mod gun course , then was a part of 51 maintenance crew when we took 50 ton of water through it , thanks to Max Schaefer
I love the White Ensigns. I fly a large red one on the water and always think of the white and what it means. As much as I'd like to own a white ensign, it would be an offence and a disrespect for me to have one let alone fly it... so I don't. Hobart was a pretty ship.