USS Canberra commissioned in Sydney

United States Navy ship USS Canberra was commissioned in Sydney today, becoming the first US Navy vessel to be commissioned in Australia and the only US Navy ship to carry the name of a foreign national capital city.

CAPTION: Crewmembers of the United States Navy’s USS Canberra bring the ship to life during the ship’s commissioning ceremony in Sydney, Australia. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark D. Faram.

The new ship and representatives from the US Navy active fleet were hosted at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney for the historic event.

USS Canberra is an Independence-class littoral combat ship, with proud links to Australian industry, having been designed by Australian shipbuilder Austal Limited in Fremantle, Western Australia.

‘Live’ recording of full ceremony (approx 1.5 hours) 

Ceremonial commissioning is one of the most significant milestones in the life of any ship – formally welcoming the new ship to active service – and has been a US Navy tradition since 1775.

The first USS Canberra was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser and the first US Navy ship to be named after a foreign capital.

It was named at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in honour of the Australian ship, HMAS Canberra, for its courageous actions during the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942.

During the Battle of Savo Island, HMAS Canberra was hit by shellfire 24 times in less than two minutes and 84 of her crew were killed defending landing operations by US Marines at Guadalcanal.

Members of USS Canberra ship’s company will visit Canberra tomorrow, 23 July 2023, when the Australian Capital Territory will grant Freedom of Entry – the highest accolade a city can bestow.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the commissioning of the USS Canberra in Sydney was an opportunity to reflect on the shared history, friendship and cooperation between Australia and the United States.

“Australians can be proud that this ship, designed in Western Australia by local industry and named after HMAS Canberra, is being commissioned here for the first time in the history of the United States Navy,” Mr Marles said.

“It is a privilege to witness our two navies come together at Fleet Base East today for this historic occasion.”

Australia’s Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said today marked a proud moment, which our Royal Australian Navy was privileged to share alongside our allies and friends in the United States Navy.

“The connection between our navies, forged in battle during the Second World War, is reflected in the name USS Canberra,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.

 

 

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