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HMAS Canberra scuttled

HMAS Canberra scuttled

Fri, 12/10/2007 - 22:40

The 138 metre guided-missile frigate acquired by Victoria in 2006 will now become a much sought-after dive site

Built in 1978 and launched two years later, the frigate served Australia for 24 years before it was decomm
Built in 1978 and launched two years later, the frigate served Australia for 24 years before it was decomm

The 4100 tonne frigate went down in an area of Bass Strait inhabited by about 46 other wrecks, known as the Ship's Graveyard.

Commercial clearance divers were expected to survey the wreck once it had settled later on Sunday to ensure all the charges had detonated.

Moorings will then be installed by Parks Victoria before the government opens the site for divers, in about a month's time.

Built in 1978 and launched two years later, the frigate served Australia for 24 years before it was decommissioned in 2005.

It served in the Middle East following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1992 and helped evacuate Australians from Jakarta in 1998 during the student riots that deposed Indonesian president Suharto.

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Press releases from Divers Alert Network (DAN)