Souvenir of HMAS VENDETTA's visit to Cebu Island

Date1974

Object number00018169

NamePainted helmet shell

MediumShell, paint

DimensionsOverall: 200 mm, 2.4 kg
Display Dimensions: 280 x 200 x 200 mm

ClassificationsDecorative and folk art

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Lorna May Spinks

Terms

DescriptionThis giant horned-helmet shell was painted as a souvenir of HMAS VENDETTA's visit to Cebu Island in the Philippines, 1974. On the shell the Daring class destroyer HMAS VENDETTA is depicted alongside a map marking the islands of Cebu and Mindanao. The naval vessel spent the majority of its career in Pacific and South-East Asian waters.HistoryThis shell was purchased as a souvenir during a visit to Cebu Island in the Philippines and features the Daring class destroyer HMAS VENDETTA. HMAS VENDETTA was the same class of destroyer as the Australian National Maritime Museum's HMAS VAMPIRE. Launched in 1954 at the Naval Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, VENDETTA served in the Royal Australian Navy until decommissioned in 1979. During that time, the ship served in South-East Asian waters with the Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) and played a vital role during the Vietnam War as troop carrier escort and naval gunfire support. This multi-purpose gunship was sold to a breaker's yard in 1986. The other Daring class destroyer of the period was HMAS VOYAGER which sank in 1964 when it collided with HMAS MELBOURNE.SignificanceThis shell represents the variety of souvenirs brought home by sailors after their deployments.