Steel Cat slinks to sunny Qld
Brisbane to become dive site

HMAS Brisbane is towed from Garden Island, Sydney, for the last time en-route to Brisbane to be sunk as a dive site off the Queensland coast. Photo: ABPH Nicole Kelly

Serving and former members of HMAS Brisbane were joined by the Queensland Premier Peter Beattie (right) and MCAUST RADM Rowan Moffitt (left).

Former HMAS Brisbane XO CMDR Andrew Rourke stands by the ship. Photo: POPH Steve Coates

By Graham Davis

The sinking of The Steel Cat off the Queensland coast next year will create a “dive magnet” for Australia, bringing 25,000 extra tourists to the region and providing up to 200 new jobs, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said at the formal hand over of the ship in Sydney.

Premier Beattie, the Federal Member for Fisher, Peter Slipper, who pushed hard for the Brisbane to go to Queensland, and the State member for the seat of Kawana, Chris Cummins, were on hand at Fleet Base East on July 13 to accept the destroyer from the Defence Minister, Senator Robert Hill.

A number of serving and former members of her ship’s company, including the present Maritime Commander, RADM Rowan Moffitt, were also present.

Six Chiefs of Navy served in her.

A large media contingent covered the event.

Next year, after extensive environmental checks, Brisbane will be sunk 28 metres deep, 2.9 kilometres east of the Sunshine Coast’s Mudjimba Island.

Scuttling teams hope she will settle upright, as have sister ships Perth in Western Australia and Hobart off South Australia, on the sandy seabed.

The site is well clear of fishing and trawling grounds and one which complies with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency rules.

The ship will also become a fish habitat.

In farewelling the ship Senator Hill said: “It is sad … but she has served well.

“She went to Vietnam twice and to the first Gulf War.

“Many thousands served in her.”

He thanked Queensland for taking her.

“Today is tinged with sadness. A sad farewell. She is a great piece of naval heritage,” the Minister said.

Premier Beattie said he was quite excited about Queensland getting the ship.

“The ship is coming home,” he said.

“She will bring an extra 25,000 tourists to the region and create up to 200 jobs.

“She will be a ‘dive magnet’ for Australia, attracting not only Australian but international divers,” he said.
Peter Slipper echoed the remarks.

Chris Cummins told Navy News there was already a core of dive operators ready to expand their itineraries when the ship was finally sunk.

Fond memories from former XO

Commander Andrew Rourke has enjoyed a cradle to grave relationship with the former HMAS Brisbane.

It began in December 1967 when, as a youngster, he watched the guided missile destroyer’s commissioning.
Andrew’s father Bill was commissioning engineer for the ship, which was built by Defoe Shipbuilding Company in the US.

Bill Rourke continued up the promotion ladder of the RAN reaching the rank of Rear Admiral.

Andrew followed in his father’s footsteps. He served three times in the warship.

“My first billet in her was as a Stage 4 Sub-Lieutenant,” Andrew told Navy News.

“I went back later as a Lieutenant and the assistant PWO.

“And I was her final Executive Officer,” he said.

“I suppose you could call it a ‘cradle to grave’ relationship.”

CMDR Rourke is now Commanding Officer of HMAS Manoora.

He still loves Brisbane and joined other officers who served in her at the formal handover to Queensland’s Premier Peter Beattie at Fleet Base East on Tuesday, July 13.

She’s gone. There were tears in my eyes. I blew my nose. I am still sobbing. Her beautiful lines, her sleek appearance. They are now all but a memory. She made slow progress. But the tugs took control. She headed out The Heads Still proud and powerful. Our last sight. Her stern moving gently into the Pacific’s blue waters. Farewell old lady.

Poetry in motion

Ross Gillett, NSW manager for Defence Public Affairs and an avid naval historian, has been associated with the activities of HMAS Brisbane for many years.

He’s farewelled her as she has gone off to war and welcomed her home.

When she left Sydney, her home port, for the last time on July 16, he was on the media boat which escorted her outside The Heads.

It was a sad day for Ross.

Upon return to his office he put his thoughts to words with the attached poem.

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