Do you have anything concerning your Ship's Commissioning?  If so, do not let it becoming lost, contact either the Secretary or the Webmaster so it can be published here.

    Hobart Crest

 

 

Panorama of Hobart City

 

 

 

Tatar Firing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissioning of Her Majesty's Australian Ship
HOBART

Boston Naval Shipyard
Saturday 18 December 1965

Selections by the
BOSTON NAVAL BASE BAND
Under the Direction of Ensign Ned E. Muffley, USN

Road to Gundagai
I'm Going back to Yarrawonga
Bourke Street on Saturday Night
Australia
Australia will be there
Dog sat on the Tucker Box
Goodbye Melbourne Town
Botany Bay


Advance Australia Fair

The United States Navy as Agent supervised the construction of HMAS HOBART which is being purchased by the Australian Government.

Prior to the Commissioning Ceremony, HOBART will be handed over by a representative of the United States Government to the Australian Ambassador representing the Government of Australia. This part of the ceremony will commence at 1430.

COMMISSIONING CEREMONY

The following proceedings are being carried out with the kind permission of the Commandant of the First Naval District in the Boston Naval Shipyard.

The Executive Officer will give the order for the HOBART personnel to "Off Caps". Service guests are requested to follow suit, remaining seated.

The Captain will say: -

"Gentlemen, in the course of our duty we are set in the midst of many dangers and difficulties. Therefore we cannot be faithful to the high trust placed in us by our country without the said aid of Almighty God. On this day of commissioning Her Majesty's Australian Ship HOBART let us unite in prayer in seeking His blessings upon this ship, and upon all who serve in her, now and in the future, that she may always sail under God's good providence and protection, and that there may never be lacking willing and skillful men to serve in her faithfully.

I invite you Reverend Gentlemen, to invoke this Blessing on their behalf."

The Chaplain (Protestant) will say: -

"May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost bless and hallow this ship for service in Her Majesty's Fleet, and may His protection be with her now and for ever. Amen."

The Chaplain (Roman Catholic) will say: -

"May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost descend upon this ship and remain with her always."

All present will say: -

"O God, Ruler of the waters and the raging sea, accept, we beseech Thee, the prayer of Thy servants for all who in this ship, now and in time to come, shall commit their lives to the perils of the deep. Help us to serve Thee truly in all our acts, and by the goodness of our lives to show Thy glory throughout the earth. Watch over us in all our voyages; protect us from all evil and accident to soul and body. Grant us safe harbours, peaceful voyages and safe return to our homes. And so through the waves of this troublesome world, and throughout all changes of this life, bring us to the sure haven of Thine everlasting Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

All present will say: -

"Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."

The Naval Hymn: -

"Eternal Father, strong and save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethern shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe
Protect them whereso'er they go;
And ever let there rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea. Amen."

 

The Executive Officer will order "On Caps"

 

The Captain then reads the Commissioning Warrant.

The Executive Officer will order "Attention"

The Guard will come to the "Shoulder" at which time guests are requested to stand. The Guard will "Present Arms" and all members of the Ship's Company will salute while the White Ensign, Commissioning Pennant and Australian National Flag are hoisted to the National Anthem, "God Save the Queen". After the Ensigns are closed up and after "God Save the Queen", the United States National Anthem will be played.

On completion the Guard will return to the "Shoulder", remainder of the Ship's Company to "Attention", and guests should be seated.

The Afternoon Watch Gangway Staff take station at the brow

The Guard and Ship's Company will now proceed on board to the tune of "Waltzing Matilda".


Those persons in the official party will proceed to the Officer's Club for the Reception.

Guests are invited to board HOBART if they desire.