HMAS Yarra (DE 45) [Pre Modernisation]

HMAS YARRA was one of six River Class Destroyer Escorts built in Australia between 1957 and 1971. She was built at Williamstown Naval Dockyard, Melbourne and commissioned on 27 July 1961. She was the third Australian ship to bear the name. Her sister ships were HMA Ships PARRAMATTA III, STUART II, DERWENT, SWAN III and TORRENS II. YARRA had active service during the Vietnam War, escorting the fast troop transport HMAS SYDNEY to Vung Tau, Vietnam, in 1966, 1967, 1970 and 1971. She also served on patrol duties in 1965 during the Indonesian Confrontation.

YARRA had a long and distinguished career with many upgrades to her weapons and defence systems including the fitting of both the SEACAT and IKARA missile systems and the MULLOKA sonar.

On 11 October 1976 she was decommissioned for her half life refit at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney and re-commissioned on 16 December 1977. On 27 July 1982 YARRA celebrated her 21st birthday. During those years YARRA was at sea on 1,808 days and steamed 612,270 miles including 9 visits to South East Asia, 5 visits to USA and one deployment in the Indian Ocean.
The ship had undergone 9 refits and 13 dockings, and there had been 20 Commanding Officers of which 10 were still serving in the RAN at that time.

YARRA’s last day at sea was 8 November 1985, when she sailed with seven survivors from HMAS YARRA II onboard. She decommissioned on 22 November 1985 after a 24 year career and having steamed 714,054 nautical miles.

Launched: 30 September 1958
Type: River Class Destroyer Escort
Commissioned: 27 July 1961
Decommissioned: 22 November 1985
Displacement: 2,700 tons
Length: 370 feet
Beam: 41 feet
Armament: 2 x 4.5 inch guns, 2 x 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns (later removed), 2 Triple-barreled anti-submarine mortar (1 later removed), SEACAT anti-air missile system, IKARA anti-submarine missile system
Main Machinery: Babcock & Wilcox geared turbines
Speed: 30 knots
Ship's Company: 250

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