View source for HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01)

{{Short description|Frigate of the Royal Australian Navy, lead ship of the class}}
{{other ships|HMAS Adelaide}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMAS Adelaide FFG01 front port.jpg
|Ship image size=300px
|image alt = A warship tied up at a wharf. The ship has the number "01" painted near her bow. She is decorated with flags and bunting, and a large number of civilians stand on her decks
|Ship caption=HMAS ''Adelaide'' docked at Port Adelaide for an open day in 2007
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=Australia
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Australia|naval}}
|Ship namesake=City of Adelaide
|Ship builder=[[Todd Pacific Shipyards]], [[Seattle]]
|Ship laid down=29 July 1977
|Ship launched=21 June 1978
|Ship commissioned=15 November 1980
|Ship decommissioned=19 January 2008
|Ship motto="United For The Common Good"
|Ship nickname=FFG-17 (US hull designation during construction)
|Ship honours=*'''Battle honours:'''
*[[International Force for East Timor|East Timor]] 1999
*[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Persian Gulf]] 2001–02
*plus [[HMAS Adelaide#Battle honours|two inherited honours]]
|Ship fate=Sunk as [[Sinking ships for wreck diving sites|dive wreck]]
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Ship class={{sclass|Adelaide|frigate|0}} [[guided missile frigate]]
|Ship displacement=4,100&nbsp;tons
|Ship length={{convert|138.1|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} [[Length overall|overall]]
|Ship beam={{convert|13.7|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship draught={{convert|7.5|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × [[General Electric LM2500]] gas turbines, {{convert|41000|hp|kW|abbr=on|0|lk=in}}, 1 shaft
*2 × {{convert|650|hp|abbr=on|0}} auxiliary propulsors
|Ship speed={{convert|29|kn|0}}
|Ship range={{convert|4500|nmi|abbr=on|0}} at {{convert|20|kn|0}}
|Ship complement=184 (including 15 officers, not including aircrew)
|Ship sensors=*[[AN/SPS-49]] air search radar
*[[AN/SPS-55]] surface search and navigation radar
*[[SPG-60]] fire control radar ([[Mark 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System|Mark 92 fire control system]])
*[[AN/SQS-56]] hull-mounted sonar
|Ship armament=*1 × [[Mark 13 Missile Launcher]] for [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon]] and [[RIM-66 Standard|Standard]] missiles
*2 × [[Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes|Mark 32]] torpedo tubes
*1 × [[Otobreda 76 mm|OTO Melara 76&nbsp;mm naval gun]]
*1 × 20&nbsp;mm [[Phalanx CIWS]]
*Up to 6 × {{convert|12.7|mm|abbr=on}} machine guns
*2 × [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2HB]] .50 calibre [[Typhoon Weapon System#Mini Typhoon|Mini Typhoons]] (fitted as required)
|Ship aircraft=2 × [[SH-60 Seahawk|S-70B Seahawk]] or 1 × Seahawk and 1 × [[Eurocopter AS350|AS350B Squirrel]]
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''HMAS ''Adelaide'' (FFG 01)''' was the [[lead ship]] of the {{sclass|Adelaide|frigate|4}} of [[guided missile frigate]]s built for the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN), based on the [[United States Navy]]'s {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|2}}s. She was built in the United States and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the RAN in 1980.

During her career, ''Adelaide'' was part of Australian responses or contributions to the [[1987 Fijian coups d'état]], the [[Invasion of Kuwait|Iraq invasion of Kuwait]], the [[Indonesian riots of May 1998]], the [[INTERFET]] peacekeeping taskforce, the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]], and the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|United States-led invasion of Iraq]]. In 1997, the frigate rescued two competitors in the [[1996–97 Vendée Globe]] solo, round-the-world yacht race. In 2001, a boat carrying suspected illegal immigrants was intercepted by ''Adelaide''; the events of this interception became the centre of the [[Children overboard affair]].

In 2008, ''Adelaide'' was the second ship of the class to be [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]], in order to offset the cost of an upgrade to the other four vessels. This ship was to be sunk off [[Avoca Beach, New South Wales]] as a [[Sinking ships for wreck diving sites|dive wreck]] on 27 March 2010, until an appeal to the [[Administrative Appeals Tribunal]] by protest groups led to a postponement of the scuttling until additional cleanup work was completed. Despite further attempts to delay or cancel the [[scuttling]], ''Adelaide'' was sunk off Avoca on 13 April 2011.

==Design and construction==
{{main|Adelaide-class frigate}}
Following the cancellation of the [[Australian light destroyer project]] in 1973, the British [[Type 42 destroyer]] and the American {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}} were identified as alternatives to replace the cancelled light destroyers and the {{sclass|Daring|destroyer|||1949}}s.<ref name=Jones220>Jones, in Stevens, ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 220</ref> Although the ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' class was still at the design stage, the difficulty of fitting the Type 42 with the [[RIM-66 Standard|SM-1 missile]], and the success of the {{sclass|Perth|destroyer|0}} acquisition (a derivative of the American {{sclass|Charles F. Adams|destroyer|2}}) compared to equivalent British designs led the Australian government to approve the purchase of two US-built ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class frigates (including ''Adelaide'') in 1976.<ref name=Jones220/><ref name=FramePP102.162>Frame, ''Pacific Partners'', pp. 102, 162</ref> A third was ordered in 1977, followed by a fourth, with all four ships integrated into the USN's shipbuilding program.<ref name=FramePP162>Frame, ''Pacific Partners'', p. 162</ref><ref name=MacDougall345>MacDougall, ''Australians at war'', p. 345</ref><ref name=Hooton>Hooton, ''Perking-up the Perry class''</ref> A further two ships were ordered in 1980, and were constructed in Australia.<ref name=MacDougall345/><ref name=Hooton/>

As designed, the ship had a [[full load displacement]] of 3,605 tons, a [[length overall]] of {{convert|135.6|m|1}}, a [[beam (ship)|beam]] of {{convert|13.7|m|1}}, and a [[draught (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|24.5|m|1}}.<ref name=Moore25>Moore (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1977–78 '', p. 25</ref><ref name=Sharpe26/> Early in the ship's career, she was modified from the ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' Flight I design to Flight III, requiring a lengthening of the helicopter deck for the [[RAST system|RAST helicopter recovery system]], increasing the displacement to 4,100 tons and pushing the overall length to {{convert|138.1|m|1}}.<ref name=Sharpe26/> Propulsion machinery consisted of two [[General Electric LM2500]] gas turbines, which provided a combined {{convert|41000|hp|kW|lk=in}} to the single [[propeller]] shaft.<ref name=Sharpe26>Sharpe (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1998–99'', p. 26</ref> Top speed was {{convert|29|kn|lk=in|0}}, with a range of {{convert|4,500|nmi|lk=in|0}} at {{convert|20|kn|0}}.<ref name=Sharpe26/> Two {{convert|650|hp|adj=on}} electric auxiliary propulsors were used for close manoeuvring, with a top speed of {{convert|4|kn}}.<ref name=Sharpe26/> The standard [[ship's company]] was 184, including 15 officers, but excluding the flight crew for the embarked helicopters.<ref name=Sharpe26/>

[[File:HMAS Adelaide FFG01 Mk13 missile launcher loading part 3.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Close up of a naval missile launcher. A blue missile with white fins has been loaded.|''Adelaide''{{'}}s Mark 13 launcher, with a dummy Standard missile loaded]]
The original armament for the ship consisted of a [[Mark 13 missile launcher]] configured to fire [[RIM-66 Standard]] and [[Harpoon missile|RGM-84 Harpoon]] missiles, supplemented by an [[OTO Melara 76 mm|OTO Melara {{convert|76|mm|adj=on|0}}]] gun and a [[Vulcan Phalanx]] point-defence system.<ref name=Moore25/><ref name=Sharpe26/> For anti-submarine warfare, two [[Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes|Mark 32 torpedo tube]] sets were fitted; originally firing the [[Mark 44 torpedo]], the ''Adelaide''s later carried the [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mark 46]] torpedoes.<ref name=Sharpe26/> Up to six {{convert|12.7|mm|adj=on}} machine guns were carried for close-in defence, and beginning in 2005, two [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2HB]] .50 calibre machine guns in [[Typhoon Weapon System#Mini Typhoon|Mini Typhoon]] mounts were installed when needed for Persian Gulf deployments.<ref name=Sharpe26/><ref name=ScottEnhanced>Scott, ''Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power''</ref> The sensor suite included an [[AN/SPS-49]] air search [[radar]], [[AN/SPS-55]] surface search and navigation radar, [[SPG-60]] fire control radar connected to a [[Mark 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System|Mark 92 fire control system]], and an [[AN/SQS-56]] hull-mounted [[sonar]].<ref name=Sharpe26/> Two helicopters could be embarked: either two [[SH-60 Seahawk|S-70B Seahawk]] or one Seahawk and one [[Eurocopter AS350|AS350B Squirrel]].<ref name=Sharpe26/>

''Adelaide'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] to the ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' class' Flight I design at [[Todd Pacific Shipyards]] at [[Seattle]] on 29 July 1977, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 21 June 1978 by Lady Ann Synnot (wife of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir [[Anthony Synnot]]), and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the [[Royal Australian Navy]] on 15 November 1980.<ref name="Hooton"/><ref name=Perryman2>Perryman, ''Ships Named Adelaide'', p. 2</ref> During construction, she was identified with the United States Navy [[hull classification symbol|hull number]] FFG-17.<ref name=Hooton/> A total of four ''Adelaide''-class ships were constructed by Todd Pacific, with a further two built by Australian shipbuilder [[AMECON]].<ref name=Jones220/>

==Operational history==
After commissioning, ''Adelaide'' and ''Canberra'' remained in the United States to work up; during this time both ships were attached to the United States Navy's [[Destroyer Squadron 9]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Cranston|first=Frank |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127065633 |title=The new Canberra is coming along proudly |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=16 August 1981 |access-date=6 April 2015 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The frigate ran aground off Seattle in early 1981, during post-commissioning trials, but was freed with only minor damage.<ref name=Westbrook/>

Following the decommissioning of the [[aircraft carrier]] {{HMAS|Melbourne|R21|6}} in 1982 and the disbandment of fixed-wing aviation squadrons in 1984, the RAN [[Fleet Air Arm (RAN)|Fleet Air Arm]] became focused on helicopter operations, but had minimal experience flying helicopters from small ships.<ref name=Jones247>Jones, in Stevens, ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 247</ref> To remedy this, a [[Bell Kiowa]] was embarked aboard ''Adelaide'' during 1984.<ref name=Jones247/> ''Adelaide'' was awarded the [[Duke of Gloucester Cup|Gloucester Cup]] for being the most efficient ship in the RAN during 1984.<ref name=Perryman2/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Duke of Gloucester's Cup |url=https://www.navy.gov.au/history/traditions/gloucester-cup |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=8 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801074940/http://www.navy.gov.au/history/traditions/gloucester-cup |archive-date=1 August 2015 }}</ref>

In May 1987, ''Adelaide'' visited [[Fiji]], and was alongside in [[Lautoka]] when the first of the [[1987 Fijian coups d'état]] occurred on 14 May.<ref name=Jones260>Jones, in Stevens, ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 260</ref> ''Adelaide'' and sister ship {{HMAS|Sydney|FFG 03|2}}, alongside in Suva, were instructed to remain off Fiji to aid in any necessary evacuation of Australian citizens; the first component of what became [[Operation Morris Dance]].<ref name=Jones260/> ''Adelaide'' remained on station until at least 29 May, when a phased withdrawal began.<ref name=Jones260/>

On 3 July 1990, ''Adelaide'' became the first Australian warship to visit [[Tahiti]] since 1970.<ref name=Bendle6>Bendle et al., ''Database of Royal Australian Navy Operations, 1990–2005'', p. 6</ref> On 10 August, ''Adelaide'', [[sister ship]] {{HMAS|Darwin|FFG 04|2}}, and the replenishment ship {{HMAS|Success|AOR 304|2}} were deployed to the Middle East as part of [[Australian contribution to the 1991 Gulf War|Operation Damask]], Australia's participation in the international coalition enforcing [[Iraq sanctions|sanctions against Iraq]] following that nation's [[invasion of Kuwait]].<ref name=Jones261>Jones, in Stevens, ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 261</ref> ''Adelaide'' and ''Darwin'' remained in the area until 3 December, and was used for surveillance and boarding operations.<ref name=Bendle6/><ref name=Jones263>Jones, in Stevens, ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 263</ref> In October 1992, ''Adelaide''{{'s}} home port was changed to {{HMAS|Stirling}}, making her the first ship of the class homeported in Western Australia under the [[Two-Ocean Policy]].<ref name=Perryman3>Perryman, ''Ships Named Adelaide'', p. 3</ref>

[[File:HMAS Adelaide 1982.jpg|thumb|alt=Adelaide travelling on the open sea|''Adelaide'' underway in 1982]]
In January 1997, the [[yacht]]s of Thierry Dubois and [[Tony Bullimore]] (competitors in the [[1996–97 Vendée Globe]] solo, round-the-world yacht race), capsized while attempting to cross the Southern Ocean.<ref name=GrazebrookRTW>Grazebrook, ''A Drop in the Ocean?''</ref> ''Adelaide'' successfully found and rescued the sailors after seven days of searching by ships and aircraft.<ref name=GrazebrookRTW/> During late May and early June, the frigate was deployed to the [[Philippines]], and represented Australia at the Philippines Centenary International Naval Review.<ref>Bendle et al., ''Database of Royal Australian Navy Operations, 1990–2005'', p. 28</ref>

Between 17 and 27 May 1998, ''Adelaide'' was one of four RAN ships placed on standby, in case Australian citizens required evacuation if the [[Indonesian riots of May 1998]] escalated.<ref>Bendle et al., ''Database of Royal Australian Navy Operations, 1990–2005'', p. 34</ref> The ships were not used. Starting in September, the frigate accompanied the destroyers {{HMAS|Hobart|D 39|2}} and {{HMAS|Brisbane|D 41|2}} on a cruise through South East Asia.<ref name=Bendle35>Bendle et al., ''Database of Royal Australian Navy Operations, 1990–2005'', p. 35</ref> During this deployment, the ships were present at a [[naval review]] by Indonesian president [[B. J. Habibie]].<ref name=Bendle35/>

In February 1999, ''Adelaide'' was awarded the Duke of Gloucester Cup awarded to the most efficient ship in the RAN during the previous year.<ref>''Adelaide's pair of cups'', in ''Navy News''</ref> The frigate was deployed to [[East Timor]] as part of the Australian-led [[INTERFET]] peacekeeping taskforce from 19 September to 19 October.<ref>Stevens, ''Strength Through Diversity'', p. 15</ref>

On 6 October 2001, ''Adelaide'' was the ship which intercepted [[Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel|SIEV]] 4, the event which sparked the [[Children overboard affair]].<ref name=Senate>Senate Select Committee, ''A Certain Maritime Incident''</ref> Under orders to prevent SIEVs from entering Australian waters, ''Adelaide'' attempted to warn the craft, carrying over 200 passengers (including children), against crossing from international waters during the night and into 7 October. When the SIEV failed to heed these warnings, ''Adelaide'' fired warning shots and initiated a [[RHIB]] boarding action, with the boarding party took control of the craft that afternoon.<ref name=Senate/> Between this time and when the craft was manoeuvred from Australian territory late the next morning, several attempts were made to sabotage the craft, and some adult passengers jumped or were thrown overboard while others threatened to do so; the fourteen people that entered the water were recovered by the frigate's RHIB and taken back to the SIEV.<ref name=Senate/> ''Adelaide'' observed the craft as it headed towards Indonesia, and moved in to provide further assistance a few hours later, after systematic sabotage immobilised the small vessel.<ref name=Senate/> ''Adelaide'' was instructed to take the vessel in tow and head for [[Christmas Island]].<ref name=Senate/> The SIEV began to take on water during the afternoon of 8&nbsp;October, and despite the appearance that the problem had been rectified, the craft sank without warning at 17:00.<ref name=Senate/> All aboard were forced into the water, and were rescued by personnel from ''Adelaide''.<ref name=Senate/> Reports of the sinking were conflated with information about those who jumped or were thrown overboard the day previous to give the impression that the threat of throwing children overboard had been made or carried out, a story that was later proven false but taken up at the time by the [[Howard government]] during the lead-up to the [[2001 Australian federal election|2001 election]] to support their campaign promises to tighten border controls and immigration.<ref name=Senate/><ref>Senate Select Committee, ''Executive Summary''</ref>

From November 2001 to March 2002, ''Adelaide'' and the amphibious warfare ship {{HMAS|Kanimbla|L 51|2}} were deployed to the Middle East as part of [[Operation Slipper]], the Australian contribution to the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]].<ref name=Bendle44>Bendle et al., ''Database of Royal Australian Navy Operations, 1990–2005'', p. 44</ref> The ships also contributed to the continuing enforcement of the Iraq sanctions.<ref name=Bendle44/> ''Adelaide'' was deployed on border protection operations on multiple occasions until 2004.<ref name=Perryman3/>

''Adelaide'' returned to the Middle East from July 2004 to January 2005 as part of [[Operation Catalyst]], the Australian contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq following the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|United States-led invasion in 2003]].<ref name=Bendle60>Bendle et al., ''Database of Royal Australian Navy Operations, 1990–2005'', p. 60</ref> During this deployment, in December 2004, several gunboats of the [[Iranian Revolutionary Guard]] attempted to capture a boarding party after it had inspected the freighter MV ''Sham'', which had grounded near the Iraq-Iran maritime boundary.<ref name=GardnerBBC>Gardner, ''Iran 'unable to take Australians{{'}}''</ref><ref name=AAP>Australian Associated Press, ''Australians repelled Iranian navy''</ref> After completing their inspection, the boarding party returned to their two RHIBs, but were approached by an Iranian gunboat.<ref name=GardnerBBC/><ref name=AAP/> The boarding party climbed back aboard ''Sham'', took up defensive positions, and, according to BBC reporter Frank Gardner, "warned [the Iranians] to back off, using what was said to be 'highly colourful language'."<ref name=GardnerBBC/><ref name=AAP/> During the next 45 minutes, four more gunboats arrived, and the stand-off lasted for four hours before the Australians were evacuated by ''Adelaide''{{'}}s Seahawk helicopter.<ref name=AAP/> No shots were fired during the incident, and two of the Australians were later awarded the [[Distinguished Service Medal (Australia)|Distinguished Service Medal]] for their conduct during the stand-off.<ref name=AAP/> The [[Australian Defence Force]] did not immediately report the incident to the media, as they felt no need to highlight it, and the attempted capture did not come to light until July 2007, when Gardner wrote about it following the [[2007 Iranian seizure of Royal Navy personnel|capture of 15 British personnel]] during a similar incident in March 2007.<ref name=GardnerBBC/><ref name=AAP/>

A March 2010 reorganisation of [[battle honours]] awarded to RAN ships saw ''Adelaide'' retroactively honoured for her service with INTERFET ("East Timor 1999") and during the War in Afghanistan ("Persian Gulf 2001–02").<ref name=newhonours>Royal Australian Navy, ''Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours''</ref><ref name=honourslist>Royal Australian Navy, ''Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours''</ref>

==Decommissioning and fate==
''Adelaide'' was originally scheduled to be paid off in November 2006, but delays with the project to [[Adelaide-class frigate#FFG Upgrade|upgrade four of ''Adelaide''{{'}}s sister ships]] required that she be kept in service for another fourteen months to minimise the impact on the fleet.<ref name=FishJanes>Fish, ''Australia's Adelaide ends 27 years of service''</ref> ''Adelaide'' was [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] on 19 January 2008 at {{HMAS|Stirling||6}}, before she was towed to Sydney and given to the [[Government of New South Wales]], which planned to sink her as a [[dive wreck]] off the coast near [[Terrigal]]: the first military ship dive wreck in New South Wales.<ref name=FishJanes/><ref name=NelsonPR>Nelson, ''Warship to be sunk off New South Wales coast'' [press release]</ref> After spending time alongside at {{HMAS|Kuttabul|naval base|6}}, ''Adelaide'' was towed to [[White Bay, New South Wales|White Bay]] at a point prior to November 2009.<ref name=Collins>Collins, ''HMAS Adelaide was stripped of her mast at White Bay last Thursday''</ref>

[[File:Adelaide pre-scuttling.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Adelaide tied up alongside at a wharf. The majority of her communications and radar masts have been removed, she carries no weapons, and several large squares have been cut into the ship's hull.|''Adelaide'' tied up at White Bay in April 2010. The vessel has been prepared for scuttling: weapons and systems have been removed, masts have been cut short, and diver access holes have been prepared.]]
The ship was prepared for scuttling by [[McMahon Services]] during late 2009 and early 2010: her mast (which would have become a navigational hazard once the ship was scuttled) was removed, dangerous materials and toxins were removed, and access holes were cut in the ship's flanks.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100322215539/https://www.smh.com.au/environment/the-ship-that-wont-go-quietly-20100319-qmah.html The ship that won't go quietly] ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' 20 March 2010</ref><ref name=Collins/><ref name=WestResident>West, ''Scuttled ship would wreck bay: residents''</ref> The ship was scheduled to be sunk on 27 March, {{convert|1.7|km|mi|1}} offshore from [[Avoca Beach]], in {{convert|32|m|ft|0}} of water.<ref name=WestResident/> Local [[resident action group]]s campaigned to prevent the scuttling, claiming that the wreck would affect tides and [[littoral drift|littoral sand drift]], and that the removal of chemicals and hazardous materials in the ship had not been thorough enough, with the chance that marine life and people could be poisoned.<ref name=WestResident/><ref name=Trembath>Trembath, ''HMAS Adelaide to sleep with the fishes''</ref>

An appeal by the protest groups to the [[Administrative Appeals Tribunal]] three days before the sinking saw the project placed on hold until the case could be heard in full: supporters and opponents of the dive wreck agreed to participate in [[mediation]] in the meantime.<ref name=ABCcourtorder>ABC News, ''Plans to sink warship scuttled by court order''</ref><ref name=ToveyHarvey>Tovey & Harvey, ''Tribunal scuppers plan to sink ship''</ref> The case was to be heard on 5 May, but was later postponed to July.<ref name=WestJudge>West, ''Judge fires broadside at rush to sink warship''</ref><ref name=WestTests>West, ''New tests ordered for warship toxins''</ref> On 15 September, the Tribunal ruled that scuttling of the ship could go ahead after the removal of any remaining wiring, which may contain [[polychlorinated biphenyl]]s, canvas, insulation, and exfoliating red lead paint.<ref name=HarveyWest>Harvey & West, ''Judge orders tough new rules for scuttling''</ref><ref>Australian Associated Press, ''More money sinks with HMAS Adelaide''</ref> The delays caused by the tribunal hearing meant that the original $5.8 million assigned to the scuttling project was expended, and the tribunal hearing, additional cleanup, and berthing fees brought the cost of the scuttling project to $8.5 million.<ref name=HarveyWest/>

[[File:Bye bye adelaide.JPG|thumb|right|''Adelaide'' submerging after the scuttling charges were fired]]
A new scuttling date was announced on 24 February 2011 by NSW Lands Minister [[Tony Kelly (politician)|Tony Kelly]], with ''Adelaide'' scheduled to be sunk on 13 April 2011, after the additional cleaning ordered by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal was completed in March.<ref name=AAP24feb11>Australian Associated Press, ''Greenies try to scuttle plans to sink HMAS Adelaide''</ref> ''Adelaide'' was towed from Sydney Harbour on the morning of 11 April for the voyage north.<ref>Australian Associated Press, ''Decommissioned HMAS Adelaide towed to sea''</ref> The action group attempted to cancel or further delay the sinking of the warship, requesting that the New South Wales [[Ombudsmen in Australia|Ombudsman]] investigate the government's handling of the artificial reef project, filing a summons in the [[Land and Environment Court of New South Wales]] on the afternoon of 12 April, and asking an Aboriginal 'whale caller' to summon [[humpback whale]]s to the planned wreck site.<ref>Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ''HMAS Adelaide en route to final destination''</ref><ref name=McMahon>McMahon, ''Dolphins delay scuttling of HMAS Adelaide''</ref> Despite this, the sinking went ahead just before midday on 13 April, after being delayed by over an hour by a pod of dolphins inside the {{convert|1|km|1}} exclusion zone.<ref name=McMahon/> After the scuttling charges were fired, ''Adelaide'' submerged within two minutes.<ref name=Westbrook>Westbrook, ''Dolphins frolic, protesters sunk as frigate sent to the bottom''</ref>

As an artificial reef, the aluminum superstructure of the ship has suffered [[galvanic corrosion]]. With the superstructure weakened, a storm and heavy seas in 2024 removed the superstructure from the vessel and deposited it on the seabed on the port side of the vessel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-HMAS Adelaide dive site |url=https://www.crownland.nsw.gov.au/about-us/crown-lands-explained/recreational-use/ex-hmas-adelaide-dive-site |website=Crown Lands |access-date=8 January 2025 |language=en |date=15 August 2024}}</ref> Most reef life was also swept away from the vessel by the storm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-04/military-gift-warship-artifical-reef-illegal-dumping/105728244|author=Angela Heathcote|title=Bureaucrats speculate whether gift from military could now constitute illegal dumping if left in place|date=3 September 2025|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>

==Citations==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==
'''Books'''
*{{cite book |last=Bendle |first=Vanessa |author2=Griffin, David |author3=Laurence, Peter |author4=McMillan, Richard |author5=Mitchell, Brett |author6=Nasg, Greg |author7=Perryman, John |author8=Stevens, David |author9=Wheate, Nial |title=Database of Royal Australian Navy Operations, 1990–2005 |publisher=Sea Power Centre – Australia |location=Canberra, ACT |year=2005 |series=Working Papers |volume=18 |isbn=0-642-29623-5 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_18.pdf |access-date=16 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614011327/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_18.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2011 }}
*{{cite book |last=Frame |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Frame (bishop) |title=Pacific Partners: a history of Australian-American naval relations |year=1992 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |location=Rydalmere, NSW |isbn=0-340-56685-X |oclc=27433673}}
*{{cite book |last=MacDougall |first=Anthony Keith |title=Australians at war: a pictorial history |orig-year=1991 |edition=2nd (revised and expanded) |year=2002 |publisher=The Five Mile Press |location=Noble Park, Vic |isbn=1-86503-865-2 |oclc=260099887}}
*{{cite book |editor=Moore, John |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1977–78 |edition=80th |year=1977 |series=[[Jane's Fighting Ships]] |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location=London |isbn=0531032779 |oclc=18207174}}
*{{cite book |editor=Sharpe, Richard |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1998–99 |series=[[Jane's Fighting Ships]] |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon, Surrey |date=1998 |edition=101st |isbn=071061795X |oclc=39372676}}
*{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=David |title=Strength Through Diversity: The combined naval role in Operation Stabilise |series=Working Papers |volume=20 |date=2007 |publisher=Sea Power Centre – Australia |location=Canberra |isbn=978-0-642-29676-4 |issn=1834-7231 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |access-date=6 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910150114/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2012 }}
*{{cite book |editor=Stevens, David |title=The Royal Australian Navy |series=The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III) |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=South Melbourne |isbn=0-19-555542-2 |oclc=50418095}}
**{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Peter |title=The Royal Australian Navy |chapter=Towards Self Reliance"; "A Period of Change and Uncertainty}}
**{{cite book |last=Spurling |first=Kathryn |title=The Royal Australian Navy |chapter=The Era of Defence Reform}}

'''Journal articles'''
*{{cite journal |last=Hooton |first=E.R. |date=1 December 1996 |title=Perking-up the Perry class |journal=Jane's International Defence Review |publisher=Jane's Information Group |volume=9 |issue=9}}
* {{cite journal|last1=N.A.|year=1990 |title=Australian Defence Boost|journal=Warship International|volume=XXVII |issue=2 |pages=192–194 |issn=0043-0374}}
*{{cite journal|last=Perryman |first=John|date=July 2015 |title=Ships Named Adelaide |journal=Semaphore |publisher=Sea Power Centre – Australia |volume=2015 |issue=4 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Semaphore_4_July_2015.pdf |access-date=8 August 2015}}
*{{cite journal |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=12 December 2007 |title=Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power |journal=International Defence Review |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}

'''News articles'''
*{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/25/2855471.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100327100749/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/25/2855471.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 March 2010 |title=Plans to sink warship scuttled by court order |last=ABC News |date=25 March 2010 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 March 2010}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/11/3187617.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231095859/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/11/3187617.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2012 |title=HMAS Adelaide en route to final destination |date=11 April 2011 |work=ABC News Online |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=11 April 2011}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/1999/02_22_99/story10.htm |title=Adelaide's pair of cups |date=22 February 1999 |work=Navy News |access-date=29 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803201239/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/1999/02_22_99/story10.htm |archive-date=3 August 2012 }}
*{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |author-link=Australian Associated Press |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/aussies-repel-iran-navy/2007/06/22/1182019311499.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |title=Australians repelled Iranian navy |work=The Age |date=22 June 2007 |access-date=24 February 2011 |location=Melbourne}}
*{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/more-money-sinks-with-hmas-adelaide-20100915-15c9h.html |title=More money sinks with HMAS Adelaide |date=15 September 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=26 September 2010}}
*{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |title=Greenies try to scuttle plans to sink HMAS Adelaide |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/greenies-try-to-scuttle-plans-to-sink-hmas-adelaide/story-e6frea7l-1226011507087 |date=24 February 2011 |access-date=25 February 2011 |work=Adelaide Now |archive-date=16 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416073912/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/greenies-try-to-scuttle-plans-to-sink-hmas-adelaide/story-e6frea7l-1226011507087 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite news|agency=Australian Associated Press|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/decommissioned-hmas-adelaide-towed-to-sea-20110411-1d9ny.html|title=Decommissioned HMAS Adelaide towed to sea|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=11 April 2011|date=11 April 2011}}
*{{cite news |url=http://inner-west-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hmas-adelaide-was-stripped-of-her-mast-at-white-bay-last-thursday/ |title=HMAS Adelaide was stripped of her mast at White Bay last Thursday |last=Collins |first=Terry |date=18 November 2009 |publisher=Inner West Courier |access-date=19 November 2009}}
*{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Fish |title=Australia's Adelaide ends 27 years of service |work=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=1 March 2008}}
*{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6228342.stm |title=Iran 'unable to take Australians' |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=21 June 2007 |access-date=24 February 2011 |first=Frank |last=Gardner}}
*{{cite news |last=Grazebrook |first=A.W. |title=A Drop in the Ocean? |date=1 March 1997 |work=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/judge-orders-tough-new-rules-for-scuttling-20100915-15crw.html |title=Judge orders tough new rules for scuttling |last=Harvey |first=Ellie |author2=West, Andrew |date=16 September 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=20 September 2010}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/04/13/3190277.htm |title=Dolphins delay scuttling of HMAS Adelaide |last=McMahon |first=Jeanette |date=13 April 2011 |work=1223 ABC Newcastle |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=14 April 2011}}
*{{cite news |author=Royal Australian Navy |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |title=Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=14 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184920/http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |archive-date=13 June 2011 }}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/tribunal-scuppers-plan-to-sink-ship-20100324-qwti.html |title=Tribunal scuppers plan to sink ship |last=Tovey |first=Josephine |author2=Harvey, Ellie |date=25 March 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=25 March 2010}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2838252.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307063029/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2838252.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 March 2010 |title=HMAS Adelaide to sleep with the fishes |last=Trembath |first=Brendan |date=5 March 2010 |work=ABC News |access-date=12 March 2010}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/scuttled-ship-would-wreck-bay-residents-20100306-ppni.html |title=Scuttled ship would wreck bay: residents |last=West |first=Andrew |date=7 March 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=12 March 2010}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/judge-fires-broadside-at-rush-to-sink-warship-20100329-r8en.html |title=Judge fires broadside at rush to sink warship |last=West |first=Andrew |date=30 March 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=30 March 2010}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/new-tests-ordered-for-warship-toxins-20100422-tg21.html |title=New tests ordered for warship toxins |last=West |first=Andrew |date=23 April 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=23 April 2010}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/dolphins-frolic-protesters-sunk-as-frigate-sent-to-the-bottom/story-e6frg8yo-1226038744242 |title=Dolphins frolic, protesters sunk as frigate sent to the bottom |last=Westbrook |first=Tom |date=13 April 2011 |work=The Australian |access-date=14 April 2011}}

'''Other sources'''
*{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-adelaide-ii|title=HMAS Adelaide (II)|publisher=Royal Australian Navy|access-date=30 March 2010}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |title=Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614064156/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2011 |access-date=23 December 2012}}
*Senate Select Committee Inquiry into A Certain Maritime Incident
**{{cite book |author=Senate Select Committee |title=A Certain Maritime Incident |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |date=23 October 2002 |chapter=The 'Children Overboard' Incident: Events and Initial Report |isbn=0-642-71191-7 |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/c03.htm |access-date=15 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917132553/http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/c03.htm |archive-date=17 September 2007 }}
**{{cite book |author=Senate Select Committee |title=Executive Summary |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |date=23 October 2002 |chapter=The 'Children Overboard' Incident: Events and Initial Report |isbn=0-642-71191-7 |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/a06.htm |access-date=15 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112120215/http://aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/a06.htm |archive-date=12 January 2011 }}
*{{cite press release |title=Warship to be sunk off New South Wales Central Coast |author=Brendan Nelson |author-link=Brendan Nelson |date=8 February 2007 |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=6361 |access-date=11 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029050815/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=6361 |archive-date=29 October 2009 }}

==External links==
{{Commons-inline}}

{{Adelaide-class frigate}}
{{Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}}
{{2011 shipwrecks}}
{{Navbox shipwrecks of New South Wales|state=collapsed}}
{{Recreational dive sites|wresit}}

{{Coord|33|28|0|S|151|27|0|E|type:landmark_region:AU|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adelaide (FFG 01)}}
[[Category:Adelaide-class frigates]]
[[Category:Ships built in Seattle]]
[[Category:1978 ships]]
[[Category:Ships sunk as dive sites]]
[[Category:Scuttled vessels of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2011]]
[[Category:Underwater diving sites in Australia]]
[[Category:Australia in the Iraq War]]
[[Category:Iran in the Iraq War]]