Ship’s final mile

BAND AID : The Hoodoo Guru’s perform HMAS Canberra’s Replenishment At Sea song A 1000 Miles Away after the ship berthed for the final time at FBW. CEREMONY

By LCDR Grant McLennan

HMAS Canberra (CMDR Ray Leggatt) steamed her last mile on November 7 after more than 24 years in service.

The last voyage of a hectic year was completed with her decommissioning pennant flying as she sailed form Fremantle to Fleet Base West.

It ended 280 days away from home port with visits to China, Japan, South Korea, Guam, Singapore and Malaysia as well as visits to Mackay, Sydney, Adelaide and more recently Geraldton, Albany and Fremantle.

These visits have also allowed her to also participate in some memorable occasions including providing a guard for the Prime Minister at the World Expo in Japan, conducting her final freedom in Canberra, and having the opportunity for most of the ship’s company to climb the Great Wall of China.

Canberra’s decommissioning pennant flys as she sails up Cockburn Sound. SWEETS

But it was the last visit to Fremantle where the majority of crew came to realisation that HMAS Canberra was finally decommissioning.
The ship’s ball was a momentous occasion as people had travelled from the US and all parts of Australia to be a part of this night.

The highlight of the night for most of the people was a concert by the Hoodoo Gurus.
The Hoodoo Gurus have a long association with HMAS Canberra as lead singer Dave Faulkner’s father was a survivor from HMAS Canberra I and the RAS song for Canberra is the classic, A 1000 Miles Away.
Canberra departed Fremantle on November 7 to complete the 14.5 mile passage to Fleet Base West bringing the
ship’s total to more than 830,000 miles since March 21, 1981.

MDR Ray Leggatt and MIDN Katie Kruger cut the cake at the ship’s decommissioning ball. Photos: LSPH Phillip ‘Rex’ Hunt.

The entry into HMAS Stirling was one filled with much emotion as the ship’s company formed up for the last time in Procedure Alpha dressed in summer ceremonials. The decommissioning pennant was also flown.
Once berthed alongside the Hoodoo Gurus then played a short concert.

Canberra was due to take part in her decommissioning ceremony on November 12.

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