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HMAS HOBART (DDG-26 / D-39)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - VKLB

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - ROYAL PURPLE
(Only used with 7th Fleet during the Vietnam War)

CLASS - CHARLES F. ADAMS As Built.
Displacement 4526 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 437' (oa) x 47' x 15' (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54 RF (2x1), Tartar SAM (1x1 Mk 13), Ikara Launcher (x2), 6 x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3).
Machinery, 70,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Range 4500 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 333-350.

Built for the Royal Australian Navy

Operational and Building Data
Built by Defoe Shipbuilding, Bay City, Michigan (YN 436)
Laid down October 26 1962.
Launched January 9 1964.
Commissioned December 18 1965.
Paid off May 12 2000.
Gifted to Government of South Australia, August 2000.
Fate Scuttled as diving attraction, Yankalilla Bay, South Australia, November 5 2002.

Two men died in service aboard and remain on duty

Oordinary Seaman Quartermaster Gunner Raymond John Butterworth RAN, R66558, off Cap Lay, Vietnam, 17 June 1968
Chief Electrican Weapons Radio Raymond Henry Hunt RAN, R54257, off Cap Lay, Vietnam, 17 June 1968



Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By
Hobart 53kUndated, location unknown.Ron Babuka, USS Allen M. Sumner Reunion Association
Hobart 154kThree scenes from the Commissioning Ceremony at Pier 11 of the Boston Naval Shipyard on December 18 1965.John Hakkennes
Hobart 102kAs above.John Hakkennes
Hobart 206kAs above, newspaper clipping.John Hakkennes
Hobart 97kApproaching the Golden Gate Bridge in 1966.John Hakkennes
Hobart 116kCirca 1966, location unknown.Robert Hurst
Hobart 106kHobart in Norfolk circa 1966 with ice on deck and in the harbor.Colin Benporath/HMAS Hobart Association
Hobart 116kHobart proving a tin can can make a rooster tail, circa 1966.Colin Benporath/HMAS Hobart Association
Hobart 218kCirca 1966, location unknown. Royal Australian Navy Official photo. From the 1966/67 Edition of Jane's Fighting Ships.Robert Hurst
Hobart 177kHMAS Hobart (D39) underway in 1967, location unknown. Royal Australian Navy, official photo. Image scanned from the 1967-68 edition of Jane's Fighting Ships.Robert Hurst
Hobart 49kNext four photos were taken on Operation Sea Dragon from the USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) while operating off the DMZ in Vietnam - Spring 1967. Practicing making smoke.Ed Izzi, USS Allen M. Sumner Reunion Association
Hobart 32kAfter battery view, 1967.Ed Izzi, USS Allen M. Sumner Reunion Association
Hobart 37kComing alongside for highlining, 1967.Ed Izzi, USS Allen M. Sumner Reunion Association
Hobart 38kIn line heading for the gunline, 1967.Ed Izzi, USS Allen M. Sumner Reunion Association
Hobart 24kRearming off the coast of Vietnam circa 1967.John Hakkennes
Hobart 60kSubic Bay, The Philippines late May-early June 1967. The USS Jason (AR-8), HMAS Hobart (D-39), USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and USS Fechteler (DD-870).Frank Goetz
Hobart 90k The fleet oiler USS Guadalupe (AO-32) refueling the Australian guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart (D39) in the spring of 1967. HMAS Hobart was taking part in Operation "Sea Dragon". During the Vietnam War, "Sea Dragon" was a series of naval operations beginning in 1966 to interdict sea lines of communications and supply going south from North Vietnam to South Vietnam, and to destroy land targets with naval gunfire. The primary purpose of Sea Dragon forces was the interception and destruction of water borne logistic craft (WBLC), which ranged in size from large self propelled barges down to small junks and sampans. Photo by Eric Bollin, USS Allen M. Sumner Reunion Association.Robert Hurst
Hobart 168kHong Kong 1967.Larry Backus
Hobart 139kPicture showing missile damage to HMAS Hobart after being attacked during a friendly fire incident by a USAF F-4 Phantom II, 17 June 1968. The original caption read "After funnel area. Rod warhead damage. Looking forward. Eleven men were in the compartment where that slash is. Metal and equipment went everywhere. The opposite bulkhead is speckled with pockmarks. No one was hurt! Large object in foreground is boat davit. Other one doesn't show, it was flattened." Hobart was hit by three Sea Sparrow missiles in close succession, killing two crewmen and injuring seven others. Hobart was only one of several vessels attacked by 7th Air Force aircraft during 16-17 June. PCF-19 was sunk, and USS Boston (CAG-1) also hit. USS Edson (DD-946), USCGC Point Dume (WPB-82325) and PCF-15 were also attacked, but fortunately not damaged. The official conclusion was that the aircraft were unable to differentiate the radar signatures of warships and hovering helicopters. North Vietnamese helicopters were reportedly operating in the vicinity. Robert Hurst / Dave Wright
Hobart 89kCirca 1970, location unknown.Robert Hurst
Hobart 51kSometime after the 1972 refit, location unknown.Robert Hurst
Hobart 101kPort bow view, docked at Hobart, Tasmania during June 1981.Nick Jansen
Hobart 68kAs above. Onboard from the bow.Nick Jansen
Hobart 110kAs above. Port Ikara ASW rocket launcher with blue 'dummy' torpedo loaded.Nick Jansen
Hobart 72kAs above. Onboard view.Nick Jansen
Hobart 77kAs above. Starboard Ikara launcher, empty with the magazine deckhouse aft of it. Note the tree under the canvas tarpaulin, shades of Mr. Roberts. David Sutherland relates that the tree is there for decorative purposes, along with the red and white panelled side awnings. This set up indicates that an official reception is/was held during HOBART's port visit. Normally takes the form of a cocktail party hosted by the CO and the Wardroom.Nick Jansen
Hobart 70kJuly 1 1988, Pacific Ocean, a port quarter view of the Australian guided missile frigate HMAS HOBART (D-39) underway off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise RimPac `88. U.S. Navy photo.Fred Weiss
Hobart 85kPearl Harbor, Hawaii for RIMPAC '88, July 4, 1988.Robert M. Cieri
Hobart 99kHMAS Hobart docked in Hobart, Tasmania during 1992.Nick Jansen
Hobart 73kHMAS Hobart with the Knox class frigate USS Ouellet (FF-1077) docked in Hobart, Tasmania during 1992.Nick Jansen
Hobart 74kAs above.Nick Jansen
Hobart 177kDN-SC-04-15475. San Diego, June 1 1992, port beam view of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) modified Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile destroyer, Her Majesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) Hobart (D 39), en route to Naval Station San Diego. The ship will be participating in Rim-of-the-Pacific '92 (RIMPAC 92). U.S. Navy photo by PH2 M. Correa.Robert M. Cieri
Hobart 165kDN-SC-04-15476. San Diego, June 1 1992, port quarter view of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) modified Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile destroyer, Her Majesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) Hobart (D 39), steaming in San Diego Bay. The San Diego-Coronado Bridge is up ahead. The ship will be participating in Rim-of-the-Pacific '92 (RIMPAC 92). U.S. Navy photo by PH2 M. Correa. Robert M. Cieri
Hobart 79kRAN photo of the HMAS Perth (D-38), HMAS Hobart (D-39) and HMAS Brisbane (D-41) during the last days of their active service.Bill Bowley, HMAS Hobart Association
Hobart 42kRAN photo of the HMAS Perth (D-38), HMAS Hobart (D-39) and HMAS Brisbane (D-41) during the last days of their active service.Bill Bowley, HMAS Hobart Association
Hobart 136kRAN photo of the HMAS Perth (D-38), HMAS Hobart (D-39) and HMAS Brisbane (D-41) during the last days of their active service.Robert M. Cieri
Hobart 84kTaken during the HMAS Hobart National Reunion in November 2001 showing the Hobart in Adelaide being prepared for scuttling as a dive wreck.Colin Benporath, HMAS Hobart Association
Hobart 91kTaken during the HMAS Hobart National Reunion in November 2001 in Adelaide showing the Memorial Plaque for the two Hobart's that served in the Australian Navy.Colin Benporath, HMAS Hobart Association
Hobart 137kSalvaged aluminium from the Hobart before she was scuttled was made into souvenir plaques for the 2003 reunion.Colin Benporath, HMAS Hobart Association
Hobart 91kA model of the Hobart by Mike White.Mike White
Hobart 134kShip's patch.Graeme Fuller

HMAS HOBART D-39 History
This vessel is not a part of the DANFS Project

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Colin Benporath


CAPT Guy Richmond Griffiths    Dec 18 1965 - Sep 15 1967 (Later RADM)

CAPT Kenneth W. Shands    Sep 15 1967 - Apr 14 1969 (Later COMO)

CAPT Rothesay C. Swan    Apr 14 1969 - Jan 5 1971

CAPT John A. Robertson    Jan 5 1971 - May 8 1972

CAPT Ian H. Nicholson    May 8 1972 - May 28 1973

LCDR J. N. Lattin    May 28 1973 - Sep 8 1973

CAPT Ian W. Knox    Sep 8 1973 - Dec 11 1974

CAPT Peter Ross Sinclair    Dec 11 1974 - Aug 17 1977 (Later RADM)

LCDR Edward G. Stubbington    Aug 17 1977 - Oct 23 1977

CAPT Philip G. N. Kennedy    Oct 23 1977 - Jan 31 1979

CDR Ian D. G. MacDougall    Jan 31 1979 - Feb 11 1979

CAPT Philip G. N. Kennedy    Feb 11 1979 - Jun 26 1979

CAPT Anthony R. Horton    Jun 26 1979 - Dec 1 1980

CAPT Harold J. P. Adams    Dec 1 1980 - Jan 7 1982

CAPT David H. Thomson    Jan 7 1982 - Jan 3 1983

CAPT Nigel J. Stoker    Jan 3 1983 - Mar 8 1984

CDR Kenneth Flindell    Mar 8 1984 - Mar 11 1984

CAPT Derek A. Caton    Mar 11 1984 - Dec 17 1984

CAPT Walter S. G. Bateman    Dec 17 1984 - May 27 1986

CAPT David D. Farthing    May 27 1986 - Nov 18 1988

CDR Gordon A. Wellham    Nov 18 1988 - Mar 20 1989

LCDR Wayne R. Haynes    Mar 20 1989 - Apr 4 1990

LCDR Simon J. Hart    Apr 4 1990 - May 6 1991

CAPT John R. Lord    May 6 1991 - Nov 9 1992

CAPT William A. G. Dovers    Nov 9 1992 - Mar 18 1994

CAPT James R. Stapleton    Mar 18 1994 - Jan 22 1996

CAPT Brian D. Robertson    Jan 22 1996 - Jul 17 1996

CDR Greg J. Mapson    Jul 17 1996 - Sep 9 1996

CDR Simon R. H. Woolrych    Sep 9 1996 - Jun 12 1998

CDR Peter J. Murray    Jun 12 1998 - May 12 2000


Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Allan "Tug" Wilson
Address:
Phone:
E-mail: allan@ncable.com.au


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
HMAS Hobart Website
HMAS Hobart Attacked, June 1968
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 17 December 2019