H.M.A.S. HawkesburyPrint Page

The plaque commemorates the meritorious service of the H.M.A.S. Hawkesbury with the U.S. Seventh Fleet and was presented by the ship`s company to the Gosford City Council and the people of the Hawkesbury on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of the frigate. 

H.M.A.S. Hawkesbury was ordered as part of Australia`s shipbuilding program during the Second World War. Twelve of these Australian built frigates were to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy. A further ten were ordered but cancelled as the war drew to a close.

On 12 November 1945 H.M.A.S. Hawkesbury sailed from Morotai and after visiting Amboina proceeded for Sydney, bringing to a close her wartime career. At the end of November she entered Port Phillip Bay and commenced a refit at Williamstown. In the seventeen months that had elapsed since her commissioning, Hawkesbury steamed 81,056 miles and spent almost 6,000 hours underway.

In April 1946 Hawkesbury, after a four month refit, took up duty as a unit of the Australian Squadron on the east coast. After thirteen months in New South Wales and Queensland waters, including five months in Sydney Harbour, she paid off into Reserve on 31 May 1947. Five years in Reserve ended on 14 May 1952 when Hawkesbury recommissioned under the command of LCDR John P. Stevenson RAN. Hawkesbury`s second tour of duty on the northern patrol ended in December 1954 when she returned to Sydney for a refit and to prepare for paying off. Hawkesbury paid off on 14 February 1955 after she had steamed 52,000 miles during her second commission.

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