Ships in the bay – HMAS Brisbane (III)

March 26 - 2019

As the sun rose above the horizon the soft hazy silhouette of a large warship could be seen approaching Jervis Bay, with the training ship Sycamore moving across the bay in the foreground.

Photo Rob Slater 2019

As the warship approached Point Perpendicular, two small boats from HMAS Creswell could be seen heading towards the still unidentified ship. The ship made several sharp turns as the smaller craft came in close. When the warship turned towards  Honeymoon Bay flares could easily be seen floating in the sky over the ship.

Photo Rob Slater 2019

Looking through my camera, I could make out the number 41 on the bow of the warship identifying her as HMAS Brisbane (III)

HMAS Brisbane (III) continued to make some quick turns as the two smaller craft weaved around the ship. I had seen this type of action before and was told by navy personel they were conducting defensive exercises against attack from small vessels.

Photo Rob Slater 2019

HMAS Brisbane (III) is the second of three ships of the Hobart Class guided missile destroyers. Her sister ships will be Hobart (III) and Sydney (V). The keel of Brisbane was laid down on 3 February 2014 and was launched by Mrs Robyn Shackleton on 15 December 2016.

Her last turn was an impressive site, she laid right over as she powered through a tight 180-degree turn. Shortly after, the small vessels left for HMAS Creswell and Brisbane continued crisscrossing the bay at a more leisurely pace.

Photo - Rob Slater 2019

A friend of mine who served as a stoker during his career in the navy told me of the excitement felt onboard as a large warship did sharp turns under full power.

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