HMAS Vampire was the third of three Australian-built Daring-class destroyers serving in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). One of the first all-welded ships built in Australia, she was constructed at Cockatoo Island Dockyard between 1952 and 1959, and was commissioned into the RAN a day after completion.
HMAS Vampire, HMAS Onslow, and the HM Bark Endeavour replica on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum
Forward section of Vampire. The forward two 4.5-inch gun turrets are visible, and one of the single-mount Bofors is located near the left edge of the image.
HMAS Vampire underway in c1962
View of HMAS Vampire's two forward main 4.5-inch guns
Daring-class destroyer (1949)
The Daring class was a class of eleven destroyers built for the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Constructed after World War II, and entering service during the 1950s, eight ships were constructed for the RN, and three ships for the RAN. Two of the RN destroyers were subsequently sold to and served in the Peruvian Navy (MGP). A further eight ships were planned for the RN but were cancelled before construction commenced, while a fourth RAN vessel was begun but was cancelled before launch and broken up on the slipway.
HMAS Vampire on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum
A line drawing of the Daring-class destroyer
Forward half of Vampire, showing the two forward turrets for the 4.5-inch Mark V guns, and a single 40 mm Bofors
