SYDNEY, Australia — The decommissioned destroyer HMAS Vampire is docked at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour. The Royal Australian Navy's last gun destroyer serves as a floating exhibit, allowing visitors to explore its decks and interior.
Photograph by David Coleman. The HMAS Vampire, a prominent exhibit at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney's Darling Harbour, is a Daring-class destroyer that served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1959 to 1986. As the last of Australia's big gun ships, the Vampire represents a significant era in naval warfare and technology. Launched in 1956 and commissioned in 1959, the HMAS Vampire was built by Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Company in Sydney. The ship is 390 feet ( meters) long and had a complement of about 320 personnel. During its active service, the Vampire conducted numerous deployments, including multiple tours to Southeast Asia and escort duties for HMAS Sydney during the Vietnam War. As a museum ship, HMAS Vampire offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a real naval destroyer. Guests can walk the decks, visit the bridge, and see the ship's impressive guns. The interior of the ship has been preserved to give an authentic representation of life at sea for Australian sailors during the Cold War era. The Vampire's presence at the Australian National Maritime Museum serves multiple purposes. It acts as a memorial to those who served in the Royal Australian Navy, an educational tool for understanding naval operations and technology, and a tangible link to Australia's maritime heritage. The ship's location in Darling Harbour, alongside other historic vessels, creates a comprehensive naval history experience for museum visitors. Maintained in excellent condition, HMAS Vampire continues to captivate visitors with its imposing presence and historical significance, offering a glimpse into Australia's naval past and the evolution of maritime warfare technology.
Size: 5026px × 3338px
Location: Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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