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HMAS Vampire

Vessel numberHV000073
SUN Finance system asset codeHER001
Vessel Registration Number11
Previous owner (Australian, founded 1913)
Date1956
MediumMetal
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 118.65 m x 13.11 m x 5.49 m, 3950 tonnes (389.3 ft x 43 ft x 18 ft, 4013 tons)
DescriptionHMAS VAMPIRE was built as ship number 189 at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney to the English Daring Class destroyer design (with extensive modifications). HMAS VAMPIRE was laid down in 1952, launched in 1956 and joined the fleet after commissioning and acceptance trials offshore in 1959. HMAS VAMPIRE's sister ships included the HMAS VENDETTA, and the HMAS VOYAGER which was tragically lost in a collision off Jervis Bay in 1964. HMAS VAMPIRE served on a lengthy deployment to eastern Asian waters in 1967 in-between routine duties around the Australian coastline.

The original armament included six 4.5-inch (114 mm) dual-purpose guns in three twin mountings; two single and two twin 40/60 mm Bofors AA guns; Mark 10 Limbo anti-submarine mortar; and a quintuple 21-inch (530 mm) torpedo launcher. The cramped living spaces graphically illustrate the nature of warship design: machinery, communications and weaponry come before the comfort of the crew. When the vessel became a training ship in the early 1980s, the anti-submarine system was removed to make way for a classroom, and the ship’s compliment was 219 regular crew with an additional 75 trainees.

The 118.65 m long hull has a full load displacement of 3,950 tonnes, and the top speed is over 30 knots. At a cruising speed of 20 knots it has a range of 3,000 nautical miles or 5600 km.

HMAS VAMPIRE is now decommissioned and remains afloat and on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum. It is often used as a venue for navy reunions and volunteers operate an amateur radio station (call sign VK2CCV) from the bridge wireless office every Saturday from 0000 till 0600 UTC (the old GMT).
SignificanceHMAS VAMPIRE is a British Daring Class design destroyer that served with the Royal Australian Navy from 1959 until 1986. It was built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney in the early 1950s. The Daring Class were the last big gunships used by the RAN before the modern era of missiles superceded heavy gun-power as the primary armament for warships. It underwent a number of modifications during its service, and operated in Pacific and Asian areas. After decommissioning in the late 1980s it was put on display at Darling Harbour, Sydney when the Australian National Maritime Museum opened in 1991. It is also used as a focal point for Navy reunion events. The Daring Class ships served with the Royal Navy, RAN and Peruvian Navy, and HMAS VAMPIRE It is the only Daring Class destroyer to have been preserved worldwide.

National Maritime Collection vessel link
HMAS DIAMANTINA undergoing sea trials before being commissioned on the 27th of April 1945.
Royal Navy
1944
HMAS ADVANCE at sea
Walkers Ltd
1967
HMAS WHYALLA is now landlocked and on display in its original configuration at Whyalla Maritime…
BHP Whyalla
1941
HMAS Onslow
Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd
1968
HMAS OVENS on display at WAMM 2013
Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd
1967
HDML 1321 in Melbourne in 1956
Purdon and Featherstone
1943
KRAIT restored for the 75th Anniversary event on 26th September 2018 at the ANMM wharves.
c 1934
AIR VIEW in 2013 under restoration
Miami Boat Building Company, Florida, USA
1944
FALIE on the slip 2023
W Richter Ultdenbogaardt
1920
BINCLEAVES in 2012
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1943
HMAS CASTLEMAINE at Gem Pier, Williamstown in 2010
Melbourne Harbour Trust
1942