HMAS Hobart (D 39)

HMAS "Hobart" (D 39) was a "Perth" class guided missile armed destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy. Built in the United States of America, she was commissioned into the RAN in 1965. "Hobart" served on three deployments to Vietnam, was attacked in 1968 by a United States Air Force aircraft, was decommissioned in 2000, and sunk as an artificial reef off South Australia.

Construction

"Hobart" was laid down by Defoe Shipbuilding Company at Bay City, Michigan, USA, on 26 October 1962, launched on 9 January 1964 by Mrs. David Hay, wife of the Australian Ambassador to the United Nations, and commissioned at Boston in Massachusetts on 18 December 1965.

Refits

In 1968, "Hobart" was fitted with the Ikara Anti Submarine Missile system. She completed a major modernisation at Garden Island Dockyard in April 1978, including updating the Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System and radars. The Ikara was removed in 1991 and the ship was fitted for the 20 mm Mk 15 Vulcan Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).

Operational History

"Hobart" arrived in Tasmania on 1 September, 1966.

On 22 December 1966, Prime Minister Harold Holt announced that "Hobart" would deploy to Vietnam. "Hobart" served as escort and plane guard for carriers on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, participated in Sea Dragon and Market Time operations, patrolled on search and rescue duties and carried out gunfire support missions during the conflict. "Hobart" was deployed to Vietnam for three tours of duty, and was awarded the United States Navy Unit Commendation for the first tour.

econd Vietnam deployment

"Hobart" was deployed to Vietnam for the second time in 1968. On 13 April, the destroyer arrived on the 'gunline', relieving USS "Henry B. Wilson" (DDG-7).Tom Frame (1992). "Pacific Partners", pg 121] Five days later, she began Sea Dragon operations, during which she was fired on by shore batteries on two occasions. Following maintenance in Hong Kong and Taiwan from 1 May to 20 May, "Hobart" returned to the gunline. "Hobart" was reassigned to Sea Dragon on 11 June.

In the early hours of 17 June, while preventing North Vietnamese resupply of Tiger Island, "Hobart" was fired upon by a United States Air Force aircraft.Tom Frame (1992). "Pacific Partners", pg 122] The aircraft approached "Hobart" with its IFF transponder switched off, and fired three missiles during two passes. The second missile failed to explode, but the first and third damaged the superstructure, radar room, exhaust funnels, Ikara missile magazine, and superstructure, killed two RAN personnel, and injured seven others. The aircraft came around for a third attack run, but was scared off when "Hobart" fired five rounds from its main gun.Tom Frame (1992). "Pacific Partners", pg 123] Despite being damaged, "Hobart" sailed to the nearby cruiser USS "Boston", which had been hit by a missile from another USAF aircraft, and formed an anti-aircraft screen with the cruiser and her escort, USS "Blandy". After being relieved, "Hobart" sailed for Subic Bay, where the damaged was inspected by RAN and USN personnel, including three admirals.

An Inquiry was held by the USN, which was attended by three RAN personnel as technical advisors.Tom Frame (1992). "Pacific Partners", pg 124] It was revealed that a few hours earlier, USN Swift Boats PCF-12 and PCF-19 were attacked and the latter sunk by hovering enemy aircraft (commonly identified as helicopters, although one press release claimed that they were UFOs).Tom Frame (1992). "Pacific Partners", pp 123-125] "Swift Boat Down, The Real Story of the Sinking of PCF-19", James Steffes, ENC Retired, (2006). ISBN 1-59926-612-1] F-4 Phantoms of the USAF Seventh Air Force, responding several hours after the attack on the Swift Boats, instead opened fire on "Boston" and "Hobart". Several other ships in the area reported attacks from aircraft, although none were hit and identifications of friendly or enemy aircraft making these attacks vary.

"Hobart" underwent repairs in Subic Bay, and returned to duty on the gunline on 25 July. [Tom Frame (1992). "Pacific Partners", pg 125]

Fate

"Hobart" paid off on 12 May 2000 and was sunk at coord|35|28|51.6|S|138|09|26.0|E|region:AU_type:landmark|display=inline,title as a dive wreck four nautical miles (7 km) west-north-west of Marina Vincent, Yankalilla Bay, South Australia on 5 November 2002.

ee also

* Non-U.S. winners of U.S. gallantry awards

References

* "Australia's Ships of War", John Bastock, Angus and Robertson; Sydney, (1975). ISBN 0-207-12927-4
* "Janes Fighting Ships 1979-80", Captain John E Moore, RN, Janes Yearbooks; London, (1979). ISBN 0-354-00587-1
*

External links

* A [http://www.gunplot.net/vietnam/hobartvietnam.html detailed account] of the 17 June action
* [http://www.diveexhmashobart.com/reef/location.html Dive the ex HMAS Hobart website]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/australia/destroyers/pages/hmas_hobart_d39_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest HMAS Hobart D-39]