HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vampire on her commissioning day on June 22 1959, shortly after her handing over at sea. Present was the then Minister for the Navy "Jolly" John Gorton who signed for the new ship. She was then put through her paces for the cameras resulting in some classic views.
General shortages meant that the Australian Darings were completed some years later than their RN sisters with commensurate improvements such as full air conditioning, improved accommodation (at the expense of one set of torpedoes), the Limbo anti submarine mortar and modified air defence. Air conditioning meant that scuttles (portholes) were only fitted to the hull in way of the galley and heads (toilets)- an instant identifier.
Again though the ships were limited as gun ships in the missile age and a modernisation for Vampire and Vendetta did nothing to address this, the costs involved being way too high.
Nonetheless they represented the zenith of their type and the technology; those who laboured to preserve Vampire for posterity should be commended.
Image scanned from Navy Historic Archive.
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vampire on her commissioning day on June 22 1959, shortly after her handing over at sea. Present was the then Minister for the Navy "Jolly" John Gorton who signed for the new ship. She was then put through her paces for the cameras resulting in some classic views.
General shortages meant that the Australian Darings were completed some years later than their RN sisters with commensurate improvements such as full air conditioning, improved accommodation (at the expense of one set of torpedoes), the Limbo anti submarine mortar and modified air defence. Air conditioning meant that scuttles (portholes) were only fitted to the hull in way of the galley and heads (toilets)- an instant identifier.
Again though the ships were limited as gun ships in the missile age and a modernisation for Vampire and Vendetta did nothing to address this, the costs involved being way too high.
Nonetheless they represented the zenith of their type and the technology; those who laboured to preserve Vampire for posterity should be commended.
Image scanned from Navy Historic Archive.