Ex-HMAS Sydney towed from Sydney Harbour to be scrapped

Ex-HMAS Sydney will leave Sydney Harbour today to be towed to Western Australia for recycling.

FILE PHOTOHMAS Sydney (IV) passes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the last time. Photo by Able Seaman Adam Porter.

Sydney had been offered to States and territories for use as a dive wreck but there was no interest in the ship, so the government decided to recycle her by scrapping instead.

Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said Ex-HMAS Sydney had an illustrious career during her 32 years in service with the Royal Australian Navy.

“The Adelaide-class frigate was involved in operations spanning the Middle East, East Timor, Fiji and the Solomon Islands and earned a Meritorius Unit Citation during the First Gulf War in 1991,” Mr Tehan said.

“She was built at the Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, USA, and commissioned there on 29 January 1983.

“The former HMAS Sydney was decommissioned from the Royal Australian Navy on 7 November 2015 to make way for the Hobart-class guided missile destroyers, which will provide Australia with an improved warfighting capability.”

Ex-HMAS Sydney’s journey from Sydney to the Common User Facility at Henderson, Western Australia, will take up to 22 days.

 

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Posted by Brian Hartigan

Managing Editor Contact Publishing Pty Ltd PO Box 3091 Minnamurra NSW 2533 AUSTRALIA

4 thoughts on “Ex-HMAS Sydney towed from Sydney Harbour to be scrapped

  • 26/12/2018 at 10:13 am
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    Hi Guys, I served in the Royal Australian Navy for fifteen years from 9th January, 1980 to 3rd January, 1995, I was a
    Junior Recruit doing my recruit training over at HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle, Western Australia. When HMAS Sydney (IV) (FFG03) first entered Sydney Harbour for the first time (1985? – I think), after her delivery voyage from Seattle, Washington, USA, I was a member of her first Sydney Berthing Party at Sydney’s International Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, Sydney. At the time, I was an Able Seaman Radar Plotter (ABRP). For me personally, as a Sydney native, it was a very proud day.

    Wayne “Spud” Murphy, Ex-ABATWO, Ex-ABRP, Ex-LSROT from Westmead NSW 2145.

    Reply
    • 26/12/2018 at 12:28 pm
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      Nice memories, Spud.
      I don’t think I ever boarded Sydney, but I spent 10 days on her sister, HMAS Melbourne. Fine ship. Almost convinced me to change uniforms 😉

      Reply
  • 19/05/2017 at 10:24 pm
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    Pleasure to serve with this ship in GW1. Should be a Sydney memorial next to Vampire.
    RIP lady.

    Reply
    • 26/12/2018 at 12:30 pm
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      A museum piece or a reef would be much more preferable to scrapping. Sad end.

      Reply

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