HMAS Derwent Gun
Posted by: 
wileyclan
S 32° 15.814 E 115° 44.682
50H E 381766 N 6429657
The 4.5" gun from HMAS Derwent
Waymark Code: WM99DT
Location: Western Australia, Australia
Date Posted: 07/17/2010
Views: 10
Derwent was laid down by the Williamstown Naval Dockyard at Melbourne, Victoria on 17 June 1959, launched on 17 April 1961, and commissioned into the RAN on 23 April 1964.
On 25 May 1964, Derwent became the first RAN ship to launch a guided missile when she fired a Sea Cat missile.
In 1976, Derwent was used to portray the fictional British warship HMS Hero during scenes filmed in Hong Kong and Singapore for the BBC action/drama series Warship. Footage of Derwent was used in the episodes Wind Song and Singapore Incident, which aired in 1977. Derwent and her personnel were issued with ship's badges, cap tallies, name plates, and life buoys identifying Hero as part of the filming process.
On 8 September 1980, Derwent joined five other RAN vessels to form the Australia Squadron. The Squadron, which included HMA Ships Melbourne, Perth, Stalwart, Supply, and Otama spent two months in the Indian Ocean as part of a flag-showing cruise; the largest RAN deployment since World War II.
In 1989, under the command of (then) CMDR DJ Shackleton RAN (later to become Chief of Navy), Derwent was awarded the prestigious Duke of Gloucester Cup for overall efficiency.
From 1991 to 1992, Derwent’s Seacat and Ikara launchers were removed. During this time, Derwent was used as a training vessel.
Prior to Australian ships deploying to the Persian Gulf, Derwent conducted trials in launching the RBS 70 Surface to Air Missile from a naval platform.
Derwent was decommissioned at HMAS Stirling on 8 August 1994 after 30 years of service. Derwent had steamed 890,927 nautical miles (1,649,997 km) during her naval career.
Following scientific tests to study ship survivability, Derwent was sunk in deep waters, 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Rottnest Island as a "fish attraction device" on 21 December 1994.
On of her 4.5-inch (110 mm) gun turrets was preserved, having been placed at the Rockingham Naval Memorial Park, opposite HMAS Stirling and next to the fin of the submarine HMAS Orion.
What type of artillery is this?: Naval Gun
Where is this artillery located?: Park
What military of the world used this device?: Australia
Cost?: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Artillery is no longer operational: yes
Still may work: no
Are there any geocaches at this location?:
GC27GA3 Lest We Forget
Date artillery was in use: Not listed
Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
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