Just part of the large crowd of 600 who farewelled Manoora and Newcastle from Fleet Base East on January 24. Photo by ABPH Ollie Garside.

With shouts of "slip lines one and two" and the RAN band playing I Am Australian, HMA Ships Manoora and Newcastle eased away from Fleet Base East in Sydney late last month bound for The Gulf.

One of the largest crowds for years, more than 600 family members, friends and dock workers, farewelled the two ships as they headed off to begin a six month deployment.

After joining HMAS Canberra in Perth later this month, the ships will cross the Indian Ocean to replace HMA Ships Kanimbla, Sydney and Adelaide.

Their role will be identical to that of the existing trio, to maintain UN sanctions against Iraq and as members of the coalition force against terrorism.

This will involve stopping smugglers, particularly ships carrying oil, the Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith told a dockside press conference just before the ships departed.

Earlier, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mrs Danna Vale had expressed the best wishes to those sailing when she visited both ships.

"The RAN is the best trained medium sea power in the world," Mrs Vale told the media.

She said it was a sad day for those departing and those seeing them off.

Later Mrs Vale spoke to many of the large crowd bringing them comfort and reminding them of the pride that Australia holds for its Defence people.

To Rachel, a schoolgirl whose eyes were swollen by much crying, Mrs Vale reminded her of the words of actor John Wayne, "a man's gotta do, what a man's gotta do".

She reminded the saddened, but proud, loved-ones that although the departure was a sad occasion, there will be "very happy faces" when the ships return home.

Headed for the Gulf ...Newcastle and Manoora steam up Sydney Harbour towards the open sea. Photo by POPH Kev Bristow.

Newcastle left with a ship's company of 230 while Manoora carried her regular ship's company plus members of the 16th Air Defence Regiment, about 350 sailors and soldiers in all.

RADM Smith said the trio should assemble off Perth in February. He said Kanimbla, Sydney and Adelaide will be home in March.

Family members gathered from an early hour at Fleet Base East to farewell family members, lovers, mates and friends who were departing. Some well wishers carried Australian flags, others flowers or placards.

The Salvation Army's mobile canteen was present to provide tea and coffee.

As departure time neared there were tender hugs and kisses, each knowing they would not see the other for six months and indeed were going into "harm's way."

As the gaps grew between the wharf and ships there were shouted , "I love you" or "bye daddy." Children waved frantically while the mothers dabbed their eyes.

The RAN's Band playing I am Australian, a trumpet fanfare and then Waltzing Matilda added to the emotion.

As the ships moved out into the channel, many of the crowd ran to the end of the wharf for a final glimpse of a loved one they will not see for six months.

By Graham Davis