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The
Commanding Officer of the new Armidale Class Patrol Boat
LCDR Andrew Maher speaks with a surviving member of the
Corvette Armidale, veteran Bill Lambshed.
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Photo:
ABPH Joanne Edwards
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By
Graham Davis
“Imposing.”
This is the word LCDR Andrew Maher has used describe his
new charge, the NUSHIP Armidale.
LCDR Maher should know his way around patrol boats. In his 17
years in the RAN he has served on five of the Fleet’s Fremantle
Class patrol boats.
“The Armidale is much more technologically advanced and it is
more comfortable,” LCDR Maher added. LCDR Maher’s remarks to Navy
News came just days after NUSHIP Armidale was officially named
at the Austal Shipyard at Henderson in Western Australia.
LCDR Maher was one of 200 people to gather at Henderson on January
22 to watch and hear Ms Jana Stone formally name Armidale.
Ms Stone, the eldest daughter of Ordinary Seaman Donald Lawson
who served in the original HMAS Armidale, a Bathurst Class corvette,
during WW 2.
Two former Armidale 1 sailors were also present. During his address
to the crowd Chief of Navy, VADM Chris Ritchie told of the valiant
efforts of Armidale ward off an attack by Japanese planes north
of Australia in WW 2.
She was hit and he told how young seaman Teddy Sheean remained
at his firing even though his ship was sinking.
“21 officers and sailors for Armidale have already been posted
to her,” LCDR Maher said.
“Some will go to her in March, others will be in training here
in Darwin. “In addition some Sea Training Group people will train
on the class.
“I expect to see Armidale delivered in May. “At this stage it
is planned to commission her in Darwin on June 22,” he said. “Boats
two and three are well underway,” he said.
“Armidale is an imposing ship.. a much larger vessel compared
to a Fremantle,” LCDR Maher added. “On the Armidales there are
four four bunk cabins, six two bunk cabins and a CO’s cabin.
“There is also an ‘austere’ area where 20 bunks can be accommodated.
“These could sleep soldiers or apprehended people,” he said.
The 34-year-old officer has moved with his wife and two children
to Darwin to ready for the receipt of his ship and her commissioning.
