HMAS Gladstone (II)
Class |
Fremantle Class |
---|---|
Type |
Patrol Boat (PB) |
Pennant |
P216 |
International Callsign |
VLRN |
Nickname |
'Sadrock' |
Builder |
North Queensland Engineers and Agents, Cairns, Queensland |
Launched |
28 July 1984 |
Launched by |
Senator Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen, Wife of the Premier-Treasurer of Queensland , Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen |
Commissioned |
8 September 1984 |
Decommissioned |
13 March 2007 |
Dimensions & Displacement | |
Displacement | 220 tonnes |
Length | 42 metres |
Beam | 7.15 metres |
Draught | 1.8 metres |
Performance | |
Speed | 30 knots |
Range | 2360 nautical miles at 12 knots |
Complement | |
Crew | 24 |
Propulsion | |
Machinery |
|
Horsepower | 6140 |
Armament | |
Guns |
|
Awards | |
Inherited Battle Honours |
Commissioned in September 1984 and based at Cairns for her entire life, Gladstone (affectionately known by many as 'Sadrock') contributed to border protection and regional engagement for 22 and a half years, and over 618,000 miles. She continued her mission with alacrity right to the end.
Gladstone and her 14 sister FCPBs were the Navy's principal contribution to the nation's fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations.
The vessels worked hand-in-hand with other Government agencies and each year they provided up to 1800 patrol days as part of the Coastwatch-managed national surveillance effort. In the event of war they would have been tasked to control the waters close to the Australian mainland. They were well prepared for their patrol duties and other operational requirements.
In addition were central to Australia's engagement with countries in the South West Pacific region and deployed throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific in support of Australia's strategic interests. The Fremantle Class Patrol Boats (and now the Armidale Class Patrol Boats) also supported Special Forces operations and provided a useful transport capability, particularly in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations.
Gladstone was equipped with high definition navigational radar, high and ultra high frequency communications equipment, gyro compasses and echo sounder. She was also fitted with a satellite navigation system that enabled the ship's position to be determined with great accuracy.
Gladstone was the second ship of this name within the RAN. HMAS Gladstone (I) was a Bathurst Class corvette.
Commanding Officers of HMAS Gladstone (II)
08 Sep 1984 - 09 May 1986 | Lieutenant Commander GW Sproule, RAN |
09 May 1986 - 18 Nov 1987 | Lieutenant Commander BM Dowsing, RAN |
18 Nov 1987 - 14 Apr 1989 | Lieutenant Commander AH Johnston, RAN |
14 Apr 1989 - 19 Oct 1990 | Lieutenant Commander GJ Mapson, RAN |
19 Oct 1990 - 24 Apr 1992 | Lieutenant Commander GJ Yorke, RAN |
24 Apr 1992 - 29 Sep 1993 | Lieutenant Commander G Turnbull, RAN |
29 Sep 1993 - 18 Oct 1985 | Lieutenant Commander PA Osbourne, RAN |
18 Oct 1995 - 15 Apr 1997 | Lieutenant Commander RDJ Barker, RN |
15 Apr 1997 - 31 May 1999 | Lieutenant Commander LVH Rixon, RAN |
31 May 1999 - 03 Nov 2000 | Lieutenant Commander WJ Bairstow, RAN |
03 Nov 2000 - 02 Jul 2002 | Lieutenant Commander PC Ashen, RAN |
02 Jul 2002 - 07 Jan 2004 | Lieutenant Commander CE Smith, CSM, RAN |
07 Jan 2004 - 13 Dec 2005 | Lieutenant Commander EM Moore, RAN |
13 Dec 2005 - 16 Feb 2007 | Lieutenant Commander JS Dick, RAN |