HMAS ADELAIDE approaching HMAS WESTRALIA for refuelling

Images(2)

HMAS ADELAIDE approaching HMAS WESTRALIA for refuelling

Artist Russ Ames

Date2000

Object number00030098

NamePainting

MediumAcrylic paint, canvas board

DimensionsImage: 305 x 406 mm
Overall: 305 x 406 mm
Sight: 305 x 406 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Russ Ames

Terms

DescriptionPainting showing HMAS WESTRALIA (II) in the foreground with HMAS ADELAIDE (II) approaching for refuelling. WESTRALIA (O195) was a modified Leaf class replenishment tanker and was decommissioned in 2006. ADELAIDE (FFG01) was the lead ship of the Adelaide class guided-missile frigate and was decommissioned in 2008.HistoryHMAS WESTRALIA was built in the United Kingdom in 1976 and was used as a petroleum tanker. In 1979 the Royal Navy modified the vessel and it was used in the Falklands War and was named RFA APPLELEAF. In 1989 the RAN leased APPLELEAF and commissioned the vessel and renamed it HMAS WESTRALIA. It was the second ship of the RAN named WESTRALIA; the first was the Huddart Parker liner requisitioned for service in World War II. WESTRALIA's operations included participating with Australian forces in the 1991 Gulf War as part of the Multi-National Naval Force in the Persian Gulf. The ship served there as a member of Task Force 627.4 in Operation Damask II from 3 December 1990 to 28 May 1991. This deployment included the distinction of being the first time Australian women had been deployed to a combat zone as the WESTRALIA counted seven female members in her crew. The crew also played a crucial role in the rescue of solo yachtsmen Tony Bullimore and Thierry Dubois from the Southern Ocean in 1997. On 5 May 1998 a fire onboard resulted in the tragic loss of four lives. WESTRALIA was refitted and returned to service until decommissioning on 16 September 2006. HMAS ADELAIDE was built in the United States and was the first of the Adelaide class guided-missile frigates, which were based on the US Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry design. ADELAIDE was commissioned in November 1980 and the ship participated in the 1990/91 Gulf War, peacekeeping operations in East Timor in 1999 and was deployed to the Arabian Gulf as part of the International Coalition against Terrorism in 2001 and 2004.SignificanceThis painting is a contemporary depiction of two ships of the RAN with significant service histories before their decommissioning. It represents the various functions of vessels in the RAN.