I was a 19yr old American squid who pulled into Sydney Harbor to celebrate the RAN 75th aboard the USS Oldendorf (DD-972). A week prior to our arrival we had to practice getting our circle salute in unison (impossible) when they said "Three cheers for his Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Hip Hip Hip, Hooray!" May he RIP. Of course the highlight of the visit was entering the harbor and having Greenpeace protestor Ian Cohen on his surfboard clinging to the bow of our ship! The Sydneyites were gracious hosts and I thank them all for a wonderful week of fun and celebration! I met Amanda and her friend in Hyde Park and they were lovely and took me to one of the many house parties! Fond memories forever!
I was serving on the Destroyer HMS Manchester that day. The people of Australia were so friendly and welcoming and the RAN the perfect hosts. Thank you.
I served on HMAS Cook. She was a complete white elephant, a lemon, she never actually became operational. Her construction was a comedy of errors, assembling the hull without installing the diesels, and then cutting holes in the hull and trying to install the motors from the side. She was meant to be oceanographic research ship, diesel-electric with a bow thruster and active rudder, for accurate station keeping. But nothing worked properly. She was supposed to have a state of the art datalogger for survey work, but the company contracted to write the software went broke, and the company brought in to sort it out, couldn't. Once when we were at sea one of the diesels shifted on its mounts, that threw the gearbox out of alignment, and that threw one of the propeller shafts out of alignment. It ruptured the stern gland, the seal around the shaft, and we began taking water. We were adrift for 5 hours while the engineers took measures to control the flooding and limped to Syney on one propeller at 8 ks. Repairs meant cutting into the hull again, so we spent 2 weeks crawling around in diesel tanks, divided into 1 metre cells with a 500mm manhole between each for access, dragging a high pressure cleaning gun. Flushing out the fuel tanks to make them gas free, with all the diesel and detergent running down on top of you. We worn a lifeline and did 20 mins on and 40 mins off - out in the fresh air. Finally, after the tanks were tested, we were shunted into drydock by tugs so the repairs could be done.
As was I Jojo, aboard HMAS Hobart. Memories bought back by our 100th Anniversary that we have just had. Maybe old school, but the ships in the 75th were classic warships compared to what was here this time.
I really enjoyed the day on the harbour in person for this epic. 2021 now and looking back Unfortunately we are in Lockdown due to COVID 19. And Sydney has just hosted the participants of Exercise Sabre talisman and I couldn't go on the harbour and check out the latest. Not happy about that.😷😷😷
I saw this first hand on Duty as Naval Police Radio Information Office, on the very high tower on Garden Island, full day shift controlling all radio traffic & liaison with other agencies
Yes it was good. I was watch keeping on diesel generator onboard HMAS Tobruk 4 on 4 off. Didn't get our hip hip hooray cap wave on here. Wish I could go back there.
I think the British 'jump jets' are great and of course we in USA are building huge jets the serve the needs of each service. I would joke that the USAF (my former service) could have a new jet in the morning and the USN could use it in the afternoon, then the jet would undergo repairs :)
I was a 19yr old American squid who pulled into Sydney Harbor to celebrate the RAN 75th aboard the USS Oldendorf (DD-972). A week prior to our arrival we had to practice getting our circle salute in unison (impossible) when they said "Three cheers for his Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Hip Hip Hip, Hooray!" May he RIP. Of course the highlight of the visit was entering the harbor and having Greenpeace protestor Ian Cohen on his surfboard clinging to the bow of our ship! The Sydneyites were gracious hosts and I thank them all for a wonderful week of fun and celebration! I met Amanda and her friend in Hyde Park and they were lovely and took me to one of the many house parties! Fond memories forever!
I was serving on the Destroyer HMS Manchester that day. The people of Australia were so friendly and welcoming and the RAN the perfect hosts. Thank you.
I was in RAN recruit school at the time!
I was on HMAS Darwin for the Bicentennial Naval Salute.
I was on DD-972, we got really good ports, nice to have Capt. Smith, he got the good assignments.
I was on HMAS HOBART for this !
So was I :-) I was the POETW looking after the Mk 13 GMLS
my brother was on derwent RIP Stuart
Was an amazing week !
I did the QEII Silver Jubilee Royal Fleet Review in 1977. A once in a lifetime event, for some of us!
I served on HMAS Cook. She was a complete white elephant, a lemon, she never actually became operational. Her construction was a comedy of errors, assembling the hull without installing the diesels, and then cutting holes in the hull and trying to install the motors from the side. She was meant to be oceanographic research ship, diesel-electric with a bow thruster and active rudder, for accurate station keeping. But nothing worked properly. She was supposed to have a state of the art datalogger for survey work, but the company contracted to write the software went broke, and the company brought in to sort it out, couldn't.
Once when we were at sea one of the diesels shifted on its mounts, that threw the gearbox out of alignment, and that threw one of the propeller shafts out of alignment. It ruptured the stern gland, the seal around the shaft, and we began taking water. We were adrift for 5 hours while the engineers took measures to control the flooding and limped to Syney on one propeller at 8 ks. Repairs meant cutting into the hull again, so we spent 2 weeks crawling around in diesel tanks, divided into 1 metre cells with a 500mm manhole between each for access, dragging a high pressure cleaning gun.
Flushing out the fuel tanks to make them gas free, with all the diesel and detergent running down on top of you. We worn a lifeline and did 20 mins on and 40 mins off - out in the fresh air. Finally, after the tanks were tested, we were shunted into drydock by tugs so the repairs could be done.
Government operation at its best.
I was there onboard the flagship of the 7th Fleet USS Blue Ridge LCC-19.
As was I Jojo, aboard HMAS Hobart. Memories bought back by our 100th Anniversary that we have just had. Maybe old school, but the ships in the 75th were classic warships compared to what was here this time.
I really enjoyed the day on the harbour in person for this epic.
2021 now and looking back
Unfortunately we are in Lockdown due to COVID 19.
And Sydney has just hosted the participants of Exercise Sabre talisman and I couldn't go on the harbour and check out the latest.
Not happy about that.😷😷😷
I saw this first hand on Duty as Naval Police Radio Information Office, on the very high tower on Garden Island, full day shift controlling all radio traffic & liaison with other agencies
I was aboard the battleship. The welcome in Sydney was awesome.
What an amazing ship to serve on. You lucky man.
Yes it was good. I was watch keeping on diesel generator onboard HMAS Tobruk 4 on 4 off. Didn't get our hip hip hooray cap wave on here. Wish I could go back there.
I think the British 'jump jets' are great and of course we in USA are building huge jets the serve the needs of each service. I would joke that the USAF (my former service) could have a new jet in the morning and the USN could use it in the afternoon, then the jet would undergo repairs :)
When we hit the Wharf in Hobart.
H.M.S Cook made in Williamstown was a sheet metal worker at that time. 70s to 80s happy days.
What music is that from the beginning ? Ive heard it in my school sports day
Heart of Oak
Wonderful !!
9:11 sexiest part of this video.
The Mighty Mo.
too bad you guys don't have hearts of oak anymore!