HMAS Perth (D 38)

HMAS PERTH was commissioned in Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 17 July 1965. She then spent eight months in American waters conducting trials and exercises. On 12 February 1966 she sailed for Australia arriving at Perth on the 4th of March where she was granted Freedom of Entry.

During the periods of September 1967 to April 1968, September 1968 to April 1969 and September 1970 to April 1971, PERTH served as a unit of the US Seventh Fleet operating off the coast of Vietnam. The ship was awarded the United States Navy Unit Commendation after her first deployment, and the United States Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation after her second. In all, PERTH steamed over 149,000 miles on active service in the Vietnam War, fired 30,711 five-inch rounds and came under fire on five occasions.

PERTH also served two stints in the North West Indian Ocean patrolling the Arabian Sea during the Iran-Iraq war in 1981 and 1982 with the USS RANGER and JOHN F. KENNEDY Battle Groups.

PERTH had a tremendous career that spanned 34 years in periods of conflict and of peace. Over 7000 officers and sailors served in PERTH during her period of service. She steamed over one million miles during her career and has won numerous fleet Awards for excellence. She was decommissioned on Friday 15th October 1999 and in 2001 PERTH was sunk as a dive site near Albany in Western Australia.

Launched: 26 September 1963
Type: Guided Missile Destroyer
Commissioned: 17 July 1965
Decommissioned: 15 October 1999
Displacement: 4,850 tonnes
Length: 133.2 metres
Beam: 14.3 metres
Armament: Standard surface to air missiles, Ikara anti-submarine missiles, Two 127mm (5-inch) rapid fire gun mounts, Ship launched anti-submarine torpedoes
Main Machinery: Geared steam turbines driving two shafts
Speed: 30+ knots
Ship's Company: 332 officers and sailors

Customer Reviews: