Construction
The first four ships of the River class were based on the Royal Navy's Type 12 frigate, and were intended to close the gap between ships and submarines in regards to anti-submarine warfare, following the rapid improvement of submarines during and after World War II.
Stuart was laid down by Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Company in Sydney on 20 March 1959. She was launched on 8 April 1961 by the wife of John Gorton, then Minister for the Navy, and was commissioned into the RAN in Sydney on 28 June 1963.
Stuart and the other River class ships were fitted with the Ikara anti-submarine missile system: the first Australian-designed naval weapons system. Stuart was the first ship to fire an Ikara missile, during trials in August 1963.
Read more about this topic: HMAS Stuart (DE 48)
Famous quotes containing the word construction:
“When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators; the instruments, not the guides, of the people.”
—Edmund Burke (1729–1797)
“No construction stiff working overtime takes more stress and straining than we did just to stay high.”
—Gus Van Sant, U.S. screenwriter and director, and Dan Yost. Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon)
“There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)