Providing an excellent opportunity to see some of the Royal Australian Navy’s ships up close, Fleet Base East Open Day 2024 was held on 25 February 2024.
Although ticketed so as to control numbers, entry was free and commenced at 10:00am. After a quick ticket and bag check at security we were allowed onto the base. Three ships were open to visitors, HMAS Arunta, Hobart and Canberra, although others were present and viewable from the dock. The RAN also had displays along the dock, showing their capabilities, career options and roles available.
1. HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)2. HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)The 127mm Gun of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk based on HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Crest of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Motto of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151
HMAS Canberra (L02)
The Well Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 from OutsideHMAS Canberra L02 Looking Through the Well Deck to HMAS Sydney DDG 42Looking Through the Well Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 to HMAS Sydney DDG 42HMAS Canberra L02 With a Landing Craft in the Well DeckAustralian Army Truck on the Cargo Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 HMAS Canberra L02 BridgeThe Ski Jump of HMAS Canberra L02
HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)
1. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)2. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)3. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) Stern4. HMAS Canberra L02 Looking Through the Well Deck to HMAS Sydney DDG 42
The lead ship of her class of three dreadnought battleships (along with Giulio Cesare and Leonardo da Vinci), Conte Di Cavour was launched om 10 August 1911 and commissioned into the Italian Regia Marina on 1 April 1915. She saw no action during World War One.
During World War Two, she took part in the Battle of Calabria on 9 June 1940 when, along with Giulio Cesare she engaged elements of the British Mediterranean Fleet. The Italian fleet retired when Giulio Cesare was hit by a shell from HMS Warspite.
While in Taranto, Conte Di Cavour was struck by a torpedo during the British night attack of 11/12 November 1940. She was grounded to prevent her sinking the next morning. She was still undergoing repairs at Trieste on 8 September when Italy surrendered to the Allies. Although captured by the Germans they made no attempt to continue the repairs. She was damaged in an air raid on 17 February 1945, and capsized on 23 February. Refloated shortly after the end of the war, Conte di Cavour was scrapped in 1946.
Launch of the battleship Conte di Cavour, Arsenale di La Spezia, 10 August 1911Conte di Cavour 1917Conte di Cavour off Taranto, Italy, 1919Conte di CavourConte di Cavour entering TarantoCrew on the deck of the battleship Conte di CavourConte di CavourConte di CavourConte di Cavour with her deck flooded with personnelConte di Cavour
Post Re-fit
Conte di Cavour after her 1933-37 reconstruction, probably off Naples in 1938Conte di Cavour (foreground) and Giulio Cesare (following her) during the H naval review, Gulf of Naples, 5 May 1938Conti de Cavour 5 May 1938Conte Di Cavour alongside four Navigatori-class destroyers all four would be sunk during World War 2. Genoa, May 1938Conte di Cavour, left, and the heavy cruiser Fiume, right, sometime between 1937 and 1940Conte di Cavour maneuvering in the Grand Harbour of Malta, between 21 and 24 June 1938Conte di Cavour and Giulio Cesare at Napoli, 1938Conte di Cavour in MaltaConte di Cavour opening fire during the Battle of CalabriaCamouflaged Conte Di Cavour in Trieste, 1942Conte Di Cavour 30 June 1944 PalermoConte di CavourConte Di CavourConte Di CavourConte Di CavourThe capsized hulk of Conte di Cavour in Trieste, February 1945
Damage Caused at Taranto
Conte di Cavour in the morning of 12 November 1940, after being torpedoed by British torpedo-bombersConte di Cavour in the morning of 12 November 1940, after being torpedoed by British torpedo-bombersConte di Cavour in the morning of 12 November 1940, after being torpedoed by British torpedo-bombersConte di Cavour in the morning of 12 November 1940, after being torpedoed by British torpedo-bombersConte di Cavour being transferred from Taranto
Armament
Conte Di Cavour main armamentConte Di Cavour main armamentConte Di Cavour secondary armamentConte Di Cavour secondary armamentConte Di Cavour secondary armamentConte di Cavour’s torpedo room
HMAS Sydney (V) DDG 42 is the third and last of the Hobart-class air warfare destroyers built for the Royal Australian Navy. She was launched on 19 May 2018 and commissioned 18 May 2020.
HMAS Sydney (V) DDG 42 at Fleet Base East 25 February 2024
1. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)2. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)3. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) Stern4. HMAS Canberra L02 Looking Through the Well Deck to HMAS Sydney DDG 42
