HMAS Perth (D 38)

HMAS Perth (D38) underway 1991

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HMAS perth crest

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HMAS Perth (D 38) fires on North Vietnamese coastal defense sites in February 1968

DDG-38

HMAS Perth (D38) and HMAS Brisbane (D41)

Rockingham Naval Memorial Park, anchor of HMAS Perth (D 38)

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HMAS Perth (D 38) was a Perth-class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Named after the City of Perth, the ship was built by the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan, and was commissioned into the RAN in 1965.

Design and Construction

HMAS Perth was one of three Perth-class guided missile destroyers built for the RAN. The ship had a displacement of 4,720 tons (standard) and 5,100 tons (full load), with a length of 133.2 meters, a beam of 14.3 meters, and a draught of 6.1 meters. The destroyer was powered by two steam turbines, allowing a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 20 knots.

Armament and Capabilities

The primary armament of HMAS Perth included a Mark 42 5-inch/54-caliber gun, a Mark 13 missile launcher for RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missiles, and two Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes. The ship was also equipped with two Phalanx CIWS for close-in defense. Additionally, HMAS Perth carried a Westland Wessex helicopter for anti-submarine warfare and other operations.

Service History

HMAS Perth served with distinction in the Royal Australian Navy from 1965 until its decommissioning in 1999. During its service, the ship participated in various operations and exercises, including deployments to the Vietnam War, where it provided naval gunfire support. The destroyer also took part in numerous multinational exercises and operations, enhancing the RAN's capabilities and interoperability with allied navies.

Decommissioning and Fate

After 34 years of service, HMAS Perth was decommissioned on 15 October 1999. The ship was later sunk as a dive wreck off the coast of Albany, Western Australia, where it remains a popular site for recreational diving.

Related Pages

• Royal Australian Navy
• Perth-class destroyer
• RIM-24 Tartar
• Phalanx CIWS
• Westland Wessex