HMAS Perth (D 38)

HMAS Perth (D38) underway 1991

HMAS perth crest

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

DDG-38

HMAS Perth (D38) and HMAS Brisbane (D41)

HMAS Perth (D 38) was a guided missile destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was one of three Perth-class destroyers built in the United States for the RAN during the 1960s. Named after the city of Perth, Western Australia, HMAS Perth was laid down at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan, in 1962, launched in 1963, and commissioned into the RAN in 1965.

Design and Description

The Perth-class destroyers were based on the United States Navy's Charles F. Adams class, modified for Australian service. The ships had a displacement of 4,500 tons at standard load and 6,000 tons at full load. They were 437 feet in length overall, had a beam of 47 feet, and a draught of 15 feet. Propulsion was provided by four General Electric turbines, driving two shafts, which produced a total of 70,000 shaft horsepower (52,000 kW), allowing the ships to reach speeds of 35 knots.

The main armament of the Perth-class destroyers consisted of two Mark 13 missile launchers for RIM-24 Tartar missiles, designed for air defense. They were also equipped with a 5-inch (127 mm) Mark 42 gun, two Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, and an assortment of other weapons for anti-submarine warfare and close-in defense.

Operational History

HMAS Perth saw extensive service during her career. Notably, she served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and engaging in operations against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. Her service in Vietnam earned her battle honours and commendations for the bravery and professionalism of her crew.

Following her service in Vietnam, Perth continued to operate as a key unit of the RAN, participating in numerous exercises and operations, both domestically and internationally. She underwent several upgrades throughout her career to enhance her combat systems and improve her operational capabilities.

Decommissioning and Fate

HMAS Perth was decommissioned from active service in 1999. After decommissioning, there were discussions regarding her preservation as a museum ship, similar to her sister ship, HMAS Hobart, which was scuttled as a dive wreck. However, these plans did not come to fruition for Perth, and she was ultimately sold for scrap in 2001.

Legacy

The legacy of HMAS Perth (D 38) lives on through the efforts of veterans' associations, naval historians, and the Australian War Memorial, which preserves the history and memory of the ship and her crew. The ship's bell and other artifacts are displayed in various locations, serving as a reminder of her service and the broader contributions of the Royal Australian Navy to Australia's military history.