HMAS Canberra (D33)

HMAS "Canberra" (D33) was a Royal Australian Navy heavy cruiser of the Kent sub-class of County class cruisers between 1928 and 1942. She was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island, on 9 August 1942, during World War II.U.S. Naval Historical Cener: [http://history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/austral/aussh-ag/canberra.htm HMAS "Canberra"] ]

Operational history

Pre-World War II

"Canberra" was laid down by John Brown and Company of Clydebank in Scotland on 9 September 1925, launched on 31 May 1927 by Her Royal Highness Princess Mary and commissioned on 9 July 1928 under the command of Captain George L. Massey RN. After five months in British waters, the "Canberra" first arrived in Australia at Fremantle, Western Australia on 25 January 1929.

The new cruiser remained in her home waters until September 1931 when she made her first voyage outside of Australia to visit New Caledonia and Fiji. "Canberra" visited China in 1932 and 1937, and New Zealand three times.

In 1934, "Canberra" served as escort to HMS "Sussex during Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester's visit to Australia.

World War II

During the first nine months of World War II, "Canberra" performed escort duty in her home waters and the Tasman Sea. In 1940 she was involved in the unsuccessful search for the German raiders "Atlantis" and "Pinguin".

In early 1941 "Canberra" was involved in the fruitless hunt for the German pocket battleship "Admiral Scheer". In March, "Canberra" and "Leander" intercepted the German supply ship "Coburg" and the ex-Norwegian tanker "Ketty Brovig", which had been taken the previous month by the raider "Atlantis". "Canberra" was credited with having sunk "Ketty Brovig."

"Canberra" spent the rest of 1941 as a convoy escort in various parts of the Indian Ocean.

After serving as convoy escort in January 1942, "Canberra" underwent a three month refit in Sydney, Australia. She was present during the unsuccessful Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour, and was one of the intended targets. As part of Task Force 44, in June she participated in offensive sweeps of the Coral Sea.

In July, "Canberra" briefly put into port at Wellington, New Zealand before joining Operation Watchtower in the southern Solomon Islands.

"Canberra" actively participated in guarding the dispersion of landing craft at Tulagi on August 7 and August 8, but she encountered no resistance.

Loss

In the early hours of August 9, she was on patrol as part of the naval force supporting the Allied invasions of Guadalcanal Island and Tulagi, when she engaged several Japanese cruisers.

Just before 0145 on 9 August 1942 the "Canberra" received the opening shots of the Battle of Savo Island from a powerful Japanese cruiser force. Within the first two minutes of the battle she was struck by two torpedoes and over 20 salvoes of 8 inch (203 mm) shellfire. With power lost and the ship listing, the wounded and survivors were transferred to US destroyers "Patterson" and "Blue". USN Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner ordered that if "Canberra" could not steam by 0630 hours, she would be abandoned and scuttled.

At 0800 hours she was sunk by destroyers USS "Ellet" and USS "Selfridge". The two ships fired over 260 convert|5|in|mm shells and several torpedoes into her hull. She was one of the first ships to be sunk in what would eventually be named "Ironbottom Sound."

"Canberra"’s crew suffered 193 casualties during the Battle of Savo Island, including her commanding officer, Frank Getting. 9 officers and 65 ratings were missing and believed to be killed. One officer (Getting) and nine ratings died of their wounds. 10 officers, 96 ratings, and 3 civilian canteen staff were wounded.

Events after sinking

British replacement

Following the loss of the "Canberra", the British Government approved the transfer of HMS "Shropshire" to Australia as a replacement. The ship commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS "Shropshire" on 20 April 1943 at Chatham Dockyard.

American tribute

The President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, wished to commemorate the loss of HMAS "Canberra". He requested than an under-construction American heavy cruiser be renamed as a tribute to her. A "Baltimore" class cruiser previously designated as USS "Pittsburgh" was renamed, and was launched as "USS Canberra (CA-70)" on 19 April 1943. The ship was launched by Lady Alice C. Dixon, the wife of Sir Owen Dixon, Australia's ambassador to the United States. Since there was a policy not to duplicate names across the Allied fleets, Australia could not give the name to a new ship during the war.

Rediscovery

"Canberra"’s wreck was rediscovered and examined in July and August 1992, almost exactly fifty years after her scuttling. She lies upright on the ocean floor, approximately 2500 ft (760 m) deep, with visible signs of shell hits and fire damage amidships.cite web|url=see|title=above] Just as they were during her brief and fatal engagement with the Japanese during the Battle of Savo Island, "Canberra"’s "B", "X" and "Y" turrets were trained to port, while "A" turret was trained on the port bow.

When the ship was rediscovered in 1992, the forward superstructure had collapsed over to starboard side. Additionally the "B" turret's roof was completely missing.

Memorials

HMAS "Canberra" is remembered in various places. In her name city of Canberra, a memorial is located next to Lake Burley Griffin, adjacent to the National Carillon. It incorporates a naval anchor and a section of chain cable, and it has two plaques detailing the purpose of the memorial and the details of the cruiser. The memorial was unveiled on 9 August 1981 by Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot, at which the commemorative address was given by Admiral Sir Victor Smith.

The memorial was erected by the Australian Capital Territory Branch of the Naval Historical Society, with donations from the ex-HMAS "Canberra" and "Canberra-Shropshire" Association members.

ee also

Notes

ources and External links

* [http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Canberra_(I) Royal Australian Navy History]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/austral/aussh-ag/canberra.htm US Naval Historical Center]
* [http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/remembering1942/canberra/ Australian War Memorial]
* [http://www.hmascanberra.com/ HMAS Canberra Commissioning Crew]