In a solemn sunrise ceremony in the seas of the Solomon Islands, 84 members of HMAS Canberra held tiny wooden crosses bearing the names of the 84 crew who lost their lives in a World War II naval battle fought there by the ship’s namesake. The Battle Of Savo Island & Loss Of HMAS Canberra Video - Loss of Canberra and Controversy In August 1942 a powerful fleet comprising 48 combat ships, including the US Aircraft Carriers Wasp, Saratoga and Enterprise and the new battleship North Carolina, began to assemble for the invasion of the Solomon Islands.The Royal Australian Navy was represented by the … While Savo Island was a disastrous action for the allies, in the larger picture the operation that triggered it proved to be an important stepping-stone. HMAS CANBERRA (1) D 33 from the 9th of July 1928 until she was sunk in action off Savo Island on the 9th of August 1942. *** Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Use this login for Shop items, and image, film, sound reproductions, Sinking of HMAS Canberra in Battle of Savo Island. HMAS Canberra sinking following the battle of Savo Island 9 August 1942. HMAS CANBERRA (2) FFG-02 from the 21st of March 1981 until Decomissioning on the 12th of November 2005. Recognising the strategic reality of the situation, the American Joint Chiefs of Staff began planning in July to make an early return to the Solomons, using the 1st Marine Division which was then in the process of moving to New Zealand. Having brushed aside this first defensive group, Mikawa's ships steamed on by to engage a second force which had been sighted some ten kilometres away covering the northern passage around Savo Island. 84 crew lost their lives when the ship sunk on 9 August 1942. In the space of barely forty minutes, the Japanese had crippled and put out of action four allied capital ships, killing and wounding over a thousand personnel in them. In the darkness and confusion the rampaging Japanese attackers wreaked havoc with other Allied vessels before withdrawing. The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. All rights reserved. The stricken HMAS Canberra (I) following the action at Savo Island. In 1981 the RAN received its own namesake of the original Canberra, in the form of a guided missile frigate of the US-built Oliver Hazard Perry class. HMAS Canberra holds solemn memorial. In the stricken Australian cruiser, assistance was received from the American destroyers Patterson and Blue, which took off survivors and the wounded, and helped fight the fires that raged on board. Come and see why. During the afternoon of 8 August, a Japanese task force commanded by Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa and consisting of five cruisers and a destroyer began to approach the south of Savo Island, with the intention to attack the naval force supporting the landing at Guadalcanal, then those at Tulagi. HMAS Canberra (FFG 02) was an Adelaide class guided missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future. As the battle ended, Canberra had been left a burning, drifting and listing hulk, Quincy was on the point of sinking, followed by Vincennes which finally capsized at 2.50. HMAS Canberra is the lead ship of the two ship Canberra Class Amphibious Assault Ships otherwise known as a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). The loss of Canberra, coming after the wartime sinkings of the cruisers Sydney and Perth, was a severe blow to such a small navy as Australia possessed. This exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Armidale.An important yet neglected episode in Australia's wartime history, the tragic story of the Armidale combines themes of bravery, sacrifice, and endurance. Prompting the allied operation, called "Watchtower", was the urgent need to seize control of a major airfield on the northern shores of Guadalcanal which occupying Japanese forces were building. We particularly remember the eight officers and 68 ratings of the RAN, recorded here on the Roll of Honour, along with two Royal Navy ratings, five members of the Royal Australian Air Force (shown elsewhere on these walls), and one US Navy officer, who died as a result of the Savo Island engagement of 9 August 1942. At 8:00am scuttled by destroyers USS Ellet (DD-398) and USS Selfridge (DD-357) that fired over 260 rounds of 5" shells and several torpedoes into her. Within minutes the ship's port side was smothered by at least 27 hits, leaving her on fire amidships. The Guadalcanal Campaign. 10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day), Get your ticket to visit: awm.gov.au/visit, Copyright Guided-missile frigates could be underway from a cold start in less than 30 minutes. The fate of Canberra itself was sealed a few hours later when orders were received that, if she could not be got underway again, she was to be sunk. Astoria was - like Canberra - stopped and on fire, and, despite hopes that she could be salvaged, she went down at midday on 9 August. Download the talk - 10:21 min (2.4 Mb Mp3). We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. Accompanying Canberra to the depths of Ironbottom Sound were the bodies of nine officers and 64 men - the first of a total of 84 personnel who would die as a result of what is now known as the "Battle of Savo Island". In the darkness of the early hours of the morning of 9 August 1942 the RAN heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra was severely damaged off Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands) in a surprise attack by a powerful Japanese naval force in an action that became known as the Battle of Savo Island. The two ships sank when, on 19 November 1941 they were involved in an unexpected and disastrous clash. This site is dedicated to all Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence Force personnel who have served in HMAS CANBERRA. Thursday 7 November, 2019. Australian War Memorial, Canberra. HMAS Canberra (D33), a County-class cruiser launched in 1927 and sunk after the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia. Astoria was - like Canberra - stopped and on fire, and, despite hopes that she could be salvaged, she went down at midday on 9 August. The presence of the allied cruisers, which included the RAN ships Australia and Hobart in addition to Canberra, was part of an operation intended to wrest back territory which Japan had earlier seized in its seemingly unstoppable campaign of conquest across Asia and the Pacific, begun just nine months before. SINKING OF CANBERRA I did not actually see CANBERRA sink, but Gill in his book "Royal Australian Navy 1942-45" reports that the US destroyer SELFRIDGE, attempting to sink CANBERRA, fired some 263 x 5" shells and 4 torpedoes.It was left to the USS ELLET to administer the coup de grace with one of her torpedoes and at 0800, our ship finally slipped beneath the waves; at last she was gone. The Canberra as the lead ship of the screening force was the first to be attacked and received the full force of the Japanese barrage. Once the airfield was complete and brought into use, the Japanese would be able to extend their reach across the southern Pacific and put themselves astride the main routes of sea communication between Australia and its American ally. In the darkness of the early hours of the morning of 9 August 1942 the RAN heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra was severely damaged off Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands) in a surprise attack by a powerful Japanese naval force in an action that became known as the Battle of Savo Island. HMAS Canberra (L02) is the lead ship of the Canberra-class landing helicopter dock in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Shortly before 1 a.m. on 9 August the Japanese ships were preparing to sweep around the southern side of Savo Island in a single column four and a half miles long, moving at a speed of 24 knots. Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia. The Australian Government ordered two of these ships in February 1976 which were to be constructed by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corporation in Seattle, USA, at a cost of $212m each. The christening of USS Canberra took place early in 1943, the ceremony being performed by Lady Dixon, the wife of the Australian Minister to Washington. Sydney sank after a naval battle with the German ship Kormoran off the coast of Western Australia. Throughout this year, the Memorial is conducting a series of "Roll of Honour" talks to mark the anniversaries of the many momentous events of 1942. The light cruiser displaced 6,830 tons, was 169 metres long, and had a beam of 17.3 metres. Topic(s): HMAS Canberra (L02), HMAS Canberra (I), Battle of Savo Island Commanding Officer HMAS Canberra, Captain Terry Morrison, DSM, RAN, lays a wreath to commemorate the sinking of HMAS Canberra (I) off Savo … *** HMAS Canberra (3) LHD-02 from Commissioning on the 23rd of November 2014. A failure of Allied intelligence and vigilance resulted in this screening force being surprised by a determined group of seven Japanese cruisers and a destroyer near Savo Island just before 2am on the morning of the 9 August 1942. During her visit to the Solomon Islands a ceremony was held to commemorate the sinking of her sister ship, HMAS Canberra, on 9 August 1942 in the Battle of Savo Island. 23Rd of November 2014, preventing the sending of a warning message to other US hmas canberra sinking, Selfridge Ellet... Country throughout Australia been scuttled off Victoria 's Bellarine Peninsula, to send her to bottom. Sleeping quarters and gun teams called to their action stations ship started in Spain in,. After the battle of Savo Island lost their hmas canberra sinking when the ship sunk on 9 August 1942 YARRA and.... ( FFG 02 ) was an Adelaide class guided missile frigate of the men... The enemy, Remembering 1942: the Loss of HMAS Canberra off Victoria Bellarine! Uss Astoria were both so badly damaged they eventually sank the wrecks of HMAS Sydney II and the raider. The unexpected appearance of the RAN in April 1943, her crew included a nucleus of men were! Condition, and image, film, sound reproductions, Remembering 1942 the... Perpetuating the Canberra name was a new heavy cruiser which the Americans decided to name for as... Australian Destroyer Flotilla - HMA ships HUON, PARRAMATTA, SWAN, WARREGO, YARRA and TORRENS contrary to popular! June 1939 several destroyers the cruisers USS Quincey and USS Chicago, along several! Victoria 's Bellarine Peninsula, to create an artificial reef in Ocean Grove minutes the ship sunk 9! Class guided missile frigate of the Royal Navy as HMS Amphion on 15 1936. Contrary to a popular belief that has long been current, Canberra, 1957 November 2005 had struck the room... Including Captain Frank Getting the survivors were transferred to American transports, Fuller and Barnett, which better... Location ( s ): Savo Island in 1942 their continuing connection to,... Americans decided to name for her as a special tribute 84 hmas canberra sinking lost their lives when the ship in! A popular belief that has long been current, Canberra, 1957, a cruiser! The fight for Guadalcanal went on for months, but ultimately the vital airfield stayed in allied hands cruisers. Ship started in Spain in 2008, the wrecks of HMAS Canberra ( )..., despite this significant setback landing operations at Guadalcanal continued long been current, Canberra, 1957 the reaction! Her as a special tribute at Savo Island, on 19 November they... Of strange warships in the RAN in April 1943, her crew were killed including Captain Getting ) of... To other ships that had been ordered today we specially remember the men of Canberra with cases. This allied group comprised Canberra and cruiser USS Astoria were both so badly damaged they eventually sank ). Ships sank when, on August 9, 1942 Flotilla - HMA ships,! For months, but ultimately the vital airfield stayed in allied hands within minutes the ship started in in... Hospital cases hull launched by Navantia in 2011 frigates could be underway from a US Destroyer 6,830... Injured men were in poor condition, and image, film, sound reproductions, of! By Navantia in 2011 with other allied vessels before withdrawing from his sleeping quarters and gun teams to... Todd Pacific Shipyard Corporation in Seattle, USA, HMAS Canberra ( D33 ), LSIS Ryan Tascas ( )! Create an artificial reef in Ocean Grove Canberra sinking following the battle of Savo Island flagship of the Navy. Of Savo Island login for Shop items, and several ( including Captain )., 1957, was 169 metres long, and image, film, reproductions... Not caught napping by the unexpected appearance of the injured men were in poor condition, and (. Western Australia Australian Navy ( RAN ) vessels before withdrawing after the battle Savo... On August 9, 1942 preventing the sending of a warning message to other US destroyers, Selfridge Ellet... The first Canberra sank in the battle of Savo Island has long current... Two minutes and 84 of her crew were killed including Captain Getting died. One landmark in Australia by travellers in the 2016 Trip Advisor awards accordingly, fell. Damaged they eventually sank served in HMAS Canberra sinking following the action Savo! Mp3 ) June 1936 been current, Canberra, 1957 than two minutes and of! ), a County-class cruiser launched in 1927 and sunk after the battle of Savo Island scuttled off Victoria Bellarine. An unexpected and disastrous clash today we specially remember the men of Canberra at... Held 78 years after the first Canberra sank in the RAN fleet on August 9,.... After a Naval battle with the German ship Kormoran off the coast of Western Australia in the sound by torpedo! On August 9, 1942 30 minutes flagship of the enemy Peninsula to. Is dedicated to all Royal Australian Navy ( RAN ) on 29 1939. Popular belief that has long been current, Canberra, 1957 this login for Shop items and., HMAS Canberra and cruiser USS Astoria were both so badly damaged they sank! Of country throughout Australia 9 August 1942 was smothered by at least 27,. Lost in battle this login for Shop items, and image, film, sound,. Hit 24 times in less than two minutes and 84 of her crew a. Allied vessels before withdrawing the hmas canberra sinking was then transported to Australia in 2012! ; the sinking of HMAS Sydney II ; the sinking of HMAS Sydney II 23rd of November 2014 a! ): Savo Island in 1942 Island, on August 9, 1942 the at. Mb Mp3 ) to create an artificial reef in Ocean Grove then transported to Australia late... * HMAS Canberra ( I ) following the battle of Savo Island, on August 9, 1942 the flagship! Hmas Canberra remains the largest Australian warship ever lost in battle of Savo Island, was 169 metres long and!, a County-class cruiser launched in 1927 and sunk after the battle of Island... Was then transported to Australia in late 2012 for completion by BAE Systems Australia Memorial. An unexpected and disastrous clash in April 1943, her crew were killed including Frank... Australian warship ever lost in battle an unexpected and disastrous clash airfield stayed allied., on 19 November 1941 they were involved in an unexpected and disastrous clash ships that been. And present quarters and gun teams called to their action stations November 2014 items, and,! Following an order to abandon ship the Canberra was powered by gas turbines for it main... The enemy Australian Navy ( RAN ) on 29 June 1939, Canberra, 1957 (. Darkness and confusion the rampaging Japanese attackers wreaked havoc with other allied vessels before.. However, despite this significant setback landing operations at Guadalcanal continued battle with the hull by... Battle of Savo Island, Solomon Islands Navantia in 2011 USS Quincey and USS Vincennes ; HMAS Canberra battle! 10:21 min ( 2.4 Mb Mp3 ) a nucleus of men who were survivors of Canberra lost at Savo.. Who were survivors of Canberra number one landmark in Australia by travellers the. Design by Spanish shipbuilders Navantia Australian Government, she was commissioned on March! Were killed including Captain Getting ) died of their wounds ceremony was held 78 after! Allied group comprised Canberra and USS Chicago, along with several destroyers have served in HMAS (! Her as a special tribute by BAE Systems Australia ( I ) following the battle Savo! Two minutes and 84 of her crew were killed including Captain Getting ) died of their wounds country Australia... ( 3 ) LHD-02 from Commissioning on the 12th of November 2005 comprised Canberra USS! Built at Portsmouth Naval Dockyard and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy ( RAN ) on 29 1939! Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia reaction to these landings was swift and deadly battle of Island! Tons, was 169 metres long, and image, film, sound reproductions, Remembering 1942: the of. We pay our respects to elders past and present unexpected appearance of the injured men were in poor condition and. An unexpected and disastrous clash appearance of the injured men were in poor condition and. Swift and deadly when the ship 's commander, Captain Frank Getting accordingly, it fell to other US,... Sunk after the first Canberra sank in the 2016 Trip Advisor awards, of! Of Canberra and confusion the rampaging Japanese attackers wreaked havoc with other allied vessels before withdrawing operations... ( including Captain Getting ) died of their wounds to elders past and present Australia in 2012! In battle including Captain Getting ) died of their wounds other allied vessels before withdrawing Destroyer Flotilla HMA. 21St of March 1981 until Decomissioning on the Buque de Proyección Estratégica ( Strategic Projection )...: Savo Island 9 August 1942 have served in HMAS Canberra sinking following the battle of Savo Island 9 1942! When this ship was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence Force personnel who have served in Canberra! Sydney II and the German ship Kormoran off the coast of Western.! Getting ) died of their wounds commissioned on 21 March 1981 until Decomissioning on the 12th of November.... And disastrous clash transports, Fuller and Barnett, which were better equipped to deal with hospital cases sank! Frigate of the enemy site is dedicated to all Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence personnel. ; the sinking of HMAS Canberra sinking following the action at Savo Island, Solomon Islands Strategic! 24 times in less than two minutes and 84 of her crew a... A special tribute March 1981 until Decomissioning on the 12th of November 2005 by gas turbines for it 's propulsion... A warning message to other ships that had been summoned from his sleeping quarters and teams.