HMAS Hobart D63 1934-1947

[tonclass]

Just to keep 'SAILOR' quiet for 30 seconds ;), I thought I'd post a few pix of the HOBART (Ex-APOLLO) he may not have seen before.
All taken in 1941.

[The Sailor]

Actually I am surprised to see you back Ton. I thought you left the forum two weeks ago?:p

[Batstiger]

Rik, you never cease to amaze me with your collection of pics!

[The Sailor]

Thats very modest of you Bob, as you are the King of pics here.

[herakles]

Not only king of the pics but a hugely big supporter of this forum. ;)

I always read any post Bob makes as soon as I see one. And that keeps me busy as he is such a prolific poster.

This site is being largely kept going by the devotion of two posters. I only wish there were more. :p

[The Sailor]

OH, and Ton, thanks for thinking of me. I was running out of things to say.
HMAS Hobart was with Perth that night in the Battle of the Sundra Straights. Perth was sunk along with Houston, but Hobart managed to escape.
Her activities in 1942 included participation in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May and the invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi in August.

Hobart also operated extensively in the Coral Sea area, covering the Allies' vital south Pacific supply lines and protecting New Guinea from enemy surface threats. While steaming west of the New Hebrides on 20 July 1943, in company with the heavy cruiser Australia and three U.S. Navy destroyers, she was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Her after hull was seriously damaged, necessitating prolonged repairs at Sydney that kept her out of service until December 1944. During the rest of World War II, Hobart served in the Philippines and East Indies, taking part in amphibious landings at Cebu in March 1945 and Borneo in April-July. When Japan surrendered on 2 September 1945, she was part of the fleet anchored in Tokyo Bay to witness the event.
General characteristics
Displacement: 7,105 tons
Length: 562 feet 3 inches
Beam: 56 feet 8 inches
Draught: 15 feet 8 inches
Propulsion: 4 Parsons geared steam turbines, 4 boilers, 4 shafts, 72,000 hp
Speed: 32 ½ knots
Complement: 570
Armament: Original:8 × 6 in (152 mm) guns, 8 × 4 in (102 mm) guns, 4 x 3 pounder guns, 8 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (quadruple mounts)
Aircraft carried: 1 Supermarine Walrus, 1 catapult

[herakles]

"I was running out of things to say."

That's not true - thankfully!

[tonclass]

Alway keeping a watching brief, even if I don't post, Sailor.
Regarding the attack on HMAS PERTH, here are some pix of her under fire.
Rik

[Batstiger]

I can assure you Graeme my collection of Pictures is a drop in the 'oggin compared to Rik's collection.

[herakles]

What dramatic pictures of Perth. Thanks for posting them.

What a wonderful ship she was.

[The Sailor]

Great pics Rik, thanks for adding them. Bob seems to be right about the amount you have available.
He's me thinking all along that Bob was a modest man. Now the truth comes out.

I don't know if anyone else has thought this but those shell splashes as of very large calibre and are very close. That photographer has one cool nerve taking those shots, as at any minute this camera could have been for the deep six together with himself.

[spruso]

The attached photo is quite well known. However, is it HMS Apollo or HMAS Hobart as she later became and what is the location and date? Devonport has been suggested.

Moderator: I think the photo has been posted before, please feel free to remove the it when I get an answer.

Thanks
Cheers
Bruce

[tjstoneman]

Although I've seen this photo captioned as HOBART, it shows the ship carrying two Fairey Osprey seaplanes, with an athwartships catapult. I think these may have been removed before transfer to the RAN, being replaced by a Seagull or Walrus and a heavy revolving catapult. She seems to be flying an admiral's flag, and the background looks more like Bermuda (APOLLO served on the America and West Indies station before transfer).
Tim

[astraltrader]

No problems Bruce although I have moved it to the RN section as photo galleries are strictly for groups or galleries of photo`s/pictures! :)

[patroclus]

Although I've seen this photo captioned as HOBART, it shows the ship carrying two Fairey Osprey seaplanes, with an athwartships catapult. I think these may have been removed before transfer to the RAN, being replaced by a Seagull or Walrus and a heavy revolving catapult. She seems to be flying an admiral's flag, and the background looks more like Bermuda (APOLLO served on the America and West Indies station before transfer).
Tim

The single 4"HA mountings of APOLLO were replaced by twin shielded mounts before transfer to the RAN.

[spruso]

Thanks gents for that information
Cheers
Bruce