HMAS Parramatta (DE 46) [Post Modernisation]

HMAS PARRAMATTA was built by Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Co Ltd, Sydney and commissioned on 04 July 1961. She was the first of the six River Class Destroyer Escorts built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Her sister ships were HMA Ships YARRA III, STUART II, DERWENT, SWAN III and TORRENS II.

PARRAMATTA had a long and distinguished career spanning some 30 years. One of her early career highlights was the escort of the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA during the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1963.

PARRAMATTA had active service during the Vietnam War, escorting the fast troop transport HMAS SYDNEY to Vung Tau, Vietnam, in 1965, 1968 and 1971. She also served on patrol duties between 1964 and 1966 during the Indonesian Confrontation.

PARRAMATTA was decommissioned on 3 June 1977 for modernisation and refit at Williamstown Naval Dockyard in Melbourne. She recommissioned on 26 August 1981.

Highlights of her second commission included a rare visit to the Peoples Republic of China in 1986, participation in the Royal Australian Navy 75th Anniversary Naval Review in the same year and the Bicentennial Naval Salute in 1988.

PARRAMATTA was decommissioned on 11 January 1991 being one of the longest serving ships of her class. All the River Class Destroyer Escorts were eventually replaced by the Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates.

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