Last Armidale named Nuship Glenelg
9 November 2007
The last Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has been officially named NUSHIP Glenelg, in a ceremony that took place at Austal Ships Facility, Henderson, Western Australia, on Saturday 6th October 2007.
Glenelg was named by Ms Dianne Millington, the eldest daughter of Arthur Brierley, a crew member of Glenelg (I), who was also present at the ceremony.
Glenelg is named after the city of Glenelg, South Australia, and is the second RAN vessel to bear the name. Glenelg (I) was a Bathurst Class Corvette that served with distinction during WWII. Glenelg (I) sailed many miles throughout the Pacific and Australian region, conducting important convoy escort duties.
One of the highlights of Glenelg (I)'s four year career in the RAN was the bitter-sweet rescue of Australian Prisoners of War, from Ambon, Indonesia, in late 1945. As was customary at the time, Australian units flew the Royal Navy Ensign, Glenelg (I)'s crew vetoed this custom and illegally flew the Australian Flag, thus highlighting to the Australian POWs ashore that were to be rescued by fellow Aussies.
A number of Glenelg (I) crew members were present at the ceremony, and took the opportunity to tour the new vessel, no doubt noticing some stark differences in the new state of the art Armidale, from the original Bathurst Class Corvette.
The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, with the Minister for Justice and Customs, the Honourable David Johnston, representing the Minister for Defence, along with Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders, CSC, RAN, and Commander Australian Fleet, RADM Nigel Coates, AM, RAN.
Also in attendance was the Executive Chairman of the Austal Group, Mr John Rothwell; Chairman of Defence Maritime Services, RADM John Lord (Rtd); Acting Head Maritime Systems and representing the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Material Organisation, CDRE Rick Longbottom, RAN, as well as Councillor Ken Rolland, Mayor of the City of Holdfast Bay, South Australia.
During the ceremony, Glenelg was thrice blessed, just to be sure, by Chaplains Barrie Yesberg, Robert Hosken and Paul Raj.
Glenelg's motto is to be 'Staunch in Defiance', with the crest including the Saint Andrew's cross, alluding to the Scottish Heritage, of the name Glenelg.
As the last of 14 ACPB to be built at Henderson, Glenelg will be commissioned in early 2008. Glenelg will be crewed by the Aware Division, comprising of three crews. The vessels first crew will be Aware Two, Commanded by LCDR Nick Watson, RAN.
