HMAS Derwent 1980-94
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1980
Following the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the carrier HMAS Melbourne (III) led a task group comprising Perth, Derwent, Stalwart and Supply on an extended 'Flag-showing' cruise through the Indian Ocean. Described by the Australian Government as the largest and longest RAN task group deployment since World War II, the operation clearly demonstrated the level of reach and autonomy attained by the Australian Navy. This deployment included visits to Karachi, Singapore and Surabaya, and exercises with regional navies. The 1980 working year started quickly for Derwent. The RAN Task Group returned to Sydney in early April.
As a footnote to Derwents participation in the 1979 Indian Ocean deployment, she was awarded the Commodore T.E. Wardle Cup for communications excellence. In presenting the Wardle Cup to Derwents commanding officer, CMDR J. Longden, the Fleet Commander, RADM P.H. Doyle, in particular praised the high standard of visual signaling achieved.
The period to early July saw Derwent involved in exercises in the EAXA.
Derwent departed Sydney on 7 July 1980, sailing 'west about' for a South-East Asian deployment. She spent August exercising in the West Australian Exercise Areas.
During the deployment, port visits were made to Singapore, Karachi and Surabaya, and Derwent was involved in Exercises SERENDIPITY and CHE SERA 80.
The end of the year saw Derwent alongside Garden Island Dockyard, Sydney for leave and maintenance.
1981
During the first six months of the year, Derwent was mainly involved in exercises in the EAXA. She sailed from Sydney on 20 June 1981, on passage to Williamstown Naval Dockyard, Melbourne. On 3 July, the ship decommissioned to commence a modernization that would take four and a half years to complete.
During the 17 years from commissioning in 1964 to her modernization refit, Derwent has spent more than 5 ½ years deployed to South-East Asia and the Indian Ocean, taking Australia abroad. In doing so, Derwent and her successive ship's companies showed themselves as a professional and hardworking unit of the Royal Australian Navy to many of the World's navies.
The overall aims of the modernization program were to:
- Ensure the ship's combat effectiveness for the remainder of her life
- To reduce naval manpower requirements
- To improve habitability.
The modernization refit saw many changes onboard, both external and internal. The most obvious change was the removal of the LWO 2 search radar from the foremast to a position further aft and situated lower down. The MR3 Fire Control System Director was replaced by a M22 Fire Control System radar "golf ball" dome. Redesigned masts and funnel were also fitted. Two triple-tube surface launch torpedo mounts were installed while the Limbo Mortars were removed and the Ikara system upgraded.
Below decks, the installation of the Australian designed and built Mulloka Sonar was of note. Fuel efficiency was improved with steam atomizers being installed in the boilers. Also down below the 500kw Turbo Alternators were replaced with 750kw Turbo Alternators along with a new electrical switchboard.
Nearing the end of the modernization, a group of Derwent's ship's company recorded the ship's official song, as a fitting way to let the fleet know of the ship's impending return to operational status. Sixty officers and men from the "Deadly Lady" gathered at the AAV Music Recording Studios in South Melbourne to create a musical masterpiece. They combined their "talents" with those of the "Up There Cazaly" duo, Mike Brady and Peter Sullivan. The result was a 'crackerjack' little number with a rousing chorus and four verses, to let the fleet know that a revitalized Derwent would return very soon, with a new face, a new crew and a new sound.
1985
Following several years in the hands of the dockyard, Derwent was recommissioned by the Chief of Naval Staff, VADM M.W. Hudson, AO, RAN on 6 May 1985. In his speech, he stressed to the assembled ship's company that "you have a fine ship which carries a proud name and the challenge is now yours. How she performs in the Fleet will depend on how you, individually and collectively do your job. Best of luck and good sailing."
Now under the command of CMDR M. Biddle,RAN, Derwent put to sea for the first time on 10 May 1985. Various sea trials followed for the remainder of November and into December. Derwent finally returned to her home port of Sydney on 18 December 1985. The year ended with the ship alongside at Garden Island for seasonal leave.
1986
Following Christmas leave, Derwent underwent workup activities in the EAXA, broken by a port visit to Geelong in early March. She returned home in time to participate in the Ceremonial Fleet Entry into Sydney to mark the start of the Royal Australian Navy's 75th Anniversary celebrations.
The period April to June saw Derwent active in the exercise areas off the East Australian coast. During this time she sailed as far north as Cairns and Mackay, and took part in Exercise TASMAN LINK off the Queensland coast in May.
A very successful Family Day at sea was held on 10 June. On 13 June, Derwent sailed 'west about' for her first deployment 'up top' since her refit. The deployment saw the ship visiting Jakarta, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Subic Bay and Manila. She also played an active role in exercises with units from the United States Navy, Royal Navy and New Zealand Navy.
Derwent returned to her home port just in time to participate in the 75th Anniversary Fleet Review held in Sydney Harbour in perfect weather.
Following the 75th Anniversary celebrations Derwent participated in Exercise CROWEATER with ships from the various visiting nations. A mix of exercises in the EAXA and port visits to Devonport, Gladstone, Cairns and Townsville occupied most of the remainder of the year. On her return, Derwent received a pleasant surprise from the Catering Institute of Australia who awarded the Silver Platter to the ship for displaying the best culinary skills in the Fleet.
Derwent ended the year alongside Garden Island Dockyard, Sydney.
1987
The year started early for Derwent with a change of home porting from Sydney to Fleet Base West. A crew changeover with HMAS Stuart was effected alongside HMAS Stirling in just three days.
The ship's first duty in the West was as support ship for the America's Cup defence off Fremantle. During the period to mid April the ship was actively involved in exercises in the West Australian Exercise Areas (WAXA), plus port visits to Geraldton and Port Hedland.
Following a leave and assisted maintenance period alongside at Fleet Base West (FBW), HMAS Stirling; Derwent and her sister ship, Swan deployed for South-East Asia.
Nearing Port Hedland, Derwent intercepted a radio distress call from the yacht Aussiedan which was drifting off Shark Bay with a damaged engine and steering problems. Once Derwent arrived on the scene, she provided assistance to the yacht, and towed it to a position off Carnarvon, where the tow was slipped, and the yacht proceeded into port with the assistance of four of Derwent's crew.
The deployment saw Derwent visiting Darwin, Surabaya, Lumut, Singapore, Jakarta and Christmas Island. A highlight during the trip was the return of the Perth Cup (the five nations sporting trophy) to Australia for the first time in 17 years at the end of Exercise STARFISH.
Following the ship's return from 'up top', she was involved in Exercise WESTERN APPROACHES off the uninhabited coast near Broome. A Fleet Concentration Period (FCP) was the next activity. During the FCP, a missile shoot was scheduled against towed air targets and a derelict oil fuel lighter. Derwent's Seacat aimer recorded two successful firings, his first live firings since becoming qualified. The FCP was conducted over eight days, and enabled the West Australian-based fleet units to exercise with their eastern seaboard counterparts. In the closing stages of the FCP, the RAN units conducted an opposed transit against the aircraft carrier, USS Constellation and its battle group.
Derwent, in company with Darwin, Torrens and Swan sailed from Fleet Base West on September 11 to join the US amphibious fleet off Fremantle for Exercise VALIANT USHER. This exercise involved a total of 27 ships from the RAN and USN and was conducted over a period of six days north of Lancelin.
Devonport was visited in the later part of the year to exercise Derwent's right of Freedom of Entry to the city. Returning for the highlight of the year, Derwent participated in the arrival of the tall Ships and First Fleet into Fremantle on their journey to Sydney for the Bicentennial celebrations in 1988.
1988
After an enjoyable Christmas leave period, a brief shake down started the year for Derwent. This was then followed by a visit to Albany to assist in Australia Day celebrations.
The Western Australia exercise area was Derwent's home for a brief period with Broome and Geraldton visited before returning to HMAS Stirling to prepare for a forthcoming South-East Asian Deployment.
That deployment involved a self maintenance period in Lumut, plus visits to Cocos Island and Singapore.
Derwent returned to FBW on 28 March for a well-deserved Easter Weekend. This was followed by a port visit to Geraldton to participate in the inaugural Mid-West Games. On 11 April, the ship sailed from Geraldton to participate in Exercise BLACK CAT 88. During one of the exercise serials, Derwent's Seacat aimer, ABFC Carroll scored a direct hit with a Seacat missile on a Hutts target.
A second deployment soon followed. In May Derwent was back in South East Asian waters to participate in Exercise STARFISH, before returning to Australia with the USN Task Group headed by USS New Orleans.
In October, Derwent sailed on passage for Darwin to carry out an Operational Readiness Evaluation under the critical eyes of the Fleet Training Group. She returned south in company with the Royal Navy's Global '88 task group.
The ship returned to HMAS Stirling in December for a quiet end to what has been a very busy year.
1989
1989 saw Derwent deploying north for a Far-East deployment for the third time in nine months. During March she conducted Night Encounter Exercises with RMN Musytari, RMN Markin, RSS Sea Dragon, Sea Scorpion, USS Daring and USS Independence. The deployment included an official port visit to Madras, the first by an RAN warship in 10 years.
On 10 April 89 Derwent 'passed the weight' to Parramatta and returned home to FBW. Following her return, Derwent celebrated 25 years service in the RAN. Now 25 years young, according to the ship's anniversary book, the event was marked by a weekend of events to celebrate the occasion, including a traditional Mess Dinner to which the Governor of Western Australia was invited.
While in the WAXA Derwent assisted in Stuart's ORE, followed by Divisions and the Annual Inspection. August saw Derwent participating in Exercise KANGAROO 89.
1990
On 24 January 1990, Derwent was presented with the prestigious Gloucester Cup for her overall performance as a fleet unit in the preceding year. This was followed by an Annual Maintenance Period. February saw Derwent 'Up Top' again, this time visiting Surabaya, Singapore, Penang, Kuantan, Kota Kinabula, Manila, Subic Bay, Hong Kong, Sattahip, Lumut and Jakarta, before returning to Stirling on 19 June.
1991
On 16 March Derwent slipped from ASI and conducted work-ups with her sister Destroyer Escorts Stuart, Swan and Torrens until August. November saw Derwent 'Up Top' again. This time conducting exercises with Torrens, Launceston and Geelong.
1992
Departing Darwin on 13 March, Derwent participated in Exercise KANGAROO 92 with Swan and Torrens. Pilotage Training for the SEAACs enabled Derwent to visit Noumea and the Whitsunday Group during the months of June July. A Reduced Activity Period commenced from the 15 August until the end of the year.
1993
January and February involved the standard 'shakedown' activities, followed by Fleet Concentration Period (FCP) 1-93, then it was off to New Zealand with junior seaman officers embarked for pilotage training in the Hauraki Gulf. During March, Derwent sailed via Suza, Cebu, Malila, Singapore, Tanjung Emas and Surabaya back to HMAS Stirling.
During July, Derwent was consort for the submarine Oven's workup which was closely followed by FCP 2-93. After a short break Derwent joined the submarine Orion for her workup and later, in company with Torrens and Melbourne, she took part in the 'at sea' phase of Principle Warfare Officer training. In October Derwent was granted the Freedom of Entry to the City of Portland and for the remainder of the year was involved in pilotage training for junior seaman officers which saw her navigate her way to Auckland, Tonga and Brisbane before berthing in Sydney.
1994
Derwent sailed for her 21st and final South East Asian deployment on 23 March, visiting Surabaya, Singapore, Port Blair, Lumut, Kuching and Muara. Visits to coastal Australian capital cities followed, allowing the public to inspect Derwent for a last time. The seas throughout the deployment were moderate to calm, apart from Derwent's final run between Albany and HMAS Stirling, an overnight passage remembered by most for its appalling weather and rough seas.
Derwent arrived at Stirling on Friday 29 July 1994. On arrival she received a signal sent by the Chief of Naval Staff acknowledging her contribution to Australia's security as part of the RAN fleet:
"…During her life Derwent saw service throughout South East Asia, the Indian Ocean, the South West Pacific and Hawaiian waters…Fittingly, Derwent's final deployment this year included joint exercises with the Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean Navies. Throughout all these deployments, Derwent and her ships company have done much to foster and maintain close military and diplomatic ties in the region…By reputation Derwent has always been a happy ship, and one of which all who have served in, are justifiably proud. Farewell Derwent."
Following a 30-year career which saw her steam in excess of 800,000 miles, HMAS Derwent decommissioned at Fleet Base West on 8 August 1994.
