Warships, galleons and tall ships from 17 nations sailed into Sydney Harbour today to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy.
On what was a beautiful spring day in Australia, thousands of spectators gathered along the harbour to welcome the 20-strong international fleet, including boats from the US, China, Spain, France, Singapore and Britain.
The warships will join Prince Harry tomorrow in commemorating 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet's first visit to Sydney, on 4th October 1913.
The habour was a buzz of activity today, with crowds cheering, sailors saluting and helicopters putting on displays while flying the Australian navy flag.
Police were also patrolling the waters to keep yachts, jet skis and other watercraft a safe distance from the warships.
Seven Australian warships entered the harbour in line - imitating the actions of the first Australian navy fleet of seven cruisers on October 4, 1913.
Dozens of sailers in ceremonial uniforms lined the decks of the boats and saluted as they sailed in to the iconic harbour, which is home to both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Amongst the 55 ships attending the ceremony are Royal Navy destroyer HMS Daring; America's USS Chosin; China's PLANS Qingdao; and France's FNS Vendémiaire.
Also sailing into the harbour was a British ship known as HM Bark Endeavour, which was a Royal Navy research vessel that Lieutenant James Cook commanded on his first voyage of discovery, to Australia and New Zealand from 1769 to 1771. It was the first ship to reach the east coast of Australia in April 1770.
The Royal Australian Navy consists of over 16,000 personnel and a fleet of 51 ships. In comparison, the Royal Navy consists of 63,500 personnel, 98 ships and 170 aircraft; and the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 13,600 personnel and 41 ships.
The Aussie Armada: Warships, galleons and tall ships from 17 nations sail in to Sydney harbour to join Prince Harry in celebrating the country's navy centenary
An armada of more than 55 boats have powered in to Sydney harbour to celebrate the Australian navy's centenary
Features a 20-strong international fleet of warships from 17 nations, including the US, China, Singapore and Britain
The Royal Australian Navy sailed in to Sydney harbour for the first time on October 4, 1913
Prince Harry will make an appearance at the International Fleet Review tomorrow
By Sophie Jane Evans
4 October 2013
Daily Mail
Daily Mail
Warships from around the world have powered in to Sydney harbour as the city celebrates the Australian navy's centenary.
Thousands of spectators gathered along the harbour to welcome the 20-strong international fleet, including boats from the US, China, Spain, France, Sinapore and Britain.
The warships will join Prince Harry in commemorating 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet's first visit to Sydney.
Powering in: Warships from around the world have sailed in to Sydney harbour as the city celebrates the Australian navy's centenary. Thousands of spectators gathered along the harbour to welcome the 20-strong international fleet, including boats from the US, China, Spain, France, Sinapore and Britain
Royal support: The warships will join Prince Harry in commemorating 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet's first visit to Sydney in October 1913
Commemorative: About 40 warships, plus 16 tall ships, will participate in the International Fleet Review on Saturday - including the former Royal Navy ship HM Bark Endeavour (pictured). The Endeavour was the ship that Lieutenant James Cook commanded on his first voyage of discovery to Australia and New Zealand from 1769 to 1771. It was the first ship to reach the east coast of Australia in April 1770.
Massive: The event is expected to feature more than 60 aircraft, 8,000 sailors and a huge firework display. Above, China's PLAN Qingdao anchors in Sydney Harbor
The habour was a buzz of activity today, with crowds cheering, sailors saluting and helicopters putting on displays while flying the Australian navy flag.
Police were also patrolling the waters to keep yachts, jet skis and other watercraft a safe distance from the warships.
Seven Australian warships entered the harbour in line - imitating the actions of the first Australian navy fleet of seven cruisers on October 4, 1913.
Dozens of sailers in ceremonial uniforms lined the decks of the boats and saluted as they sailed in to the iconic harbour, which is home to both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Appearance: Prince Harry, the fourth in line to the Australian throne, is expected to arrive at Sydney harbour tomorrow to help Australia celebrate its navy's centenary
Busy: The habour was a buzz of activity today, with crowds cheering, sailors saluting and helicopters putting on displays while flying the Australian navy flag
Imitation: Seven Australian warships entered the harbour in line - imitating the actions of the first Australian navy fleet of seven cruisers on October 4, 1913
Smart: Dozens of sailers in ceremonial uniforms lined the decks of the boats as they sailed in to the iconic harbour
They were greeted by blue skies and calm waters - better conditions than the wind and rain that welcomed a fleet of tall ships, led by the STS Young Endeavour and HM Bark Endeavour, into the harbour yesterday.
The Navy Helicopter Display Team and the RAAF Roulettes put on a show for the crowds, while a contingent of Royal Australian Navy ships performed a 21-gun salute, according to the guardian.
Visiting military bands are also performing at Sydney Opera House and the Maritime Museum throughout the day.
About 40 warships, plus 16 tall ships, will participate in the International Fleet Review tomorrow, which is the main event commemorating the arrival of the original Royal Australian Navy fleet a century ago.
Iconic: The harbour is home to both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Above, China's warship docks in front of the Opera House
Display: The Navy Helicopter Display Team and RAAF Roulettes put on a show for the crowds, including flying the flag of the Royal Australian Navy, while a contingent of Royal Australian Navy ships performed a 21-gun salute
Music: Visiting military bands are also performing at Sydney Opera House (pictured) and the Maritime Museum throughout the day
Magnificent: The Royal Australian Navy's warship HMAS Sydney, which was sunk by a German ship in November 1941 (file pic)
Governor-General Quentin Bryce, who represents Australia's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, will officially review the fleet during the event, which is expected to feature more than 60 aircraft, 8,000 sailors and a huge firework display. There will also be an appearance by Prince Harry.
Among the international participators - coming from 17 nations - are China's PLAN Qingdao, the US's Chosin, Singapore's RSS Endeavour and the Royal Malaysian Navy's KD Jebat.
The Defense Department said warships had also been sent by Britain, Brunei, Micronesia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and Tonga.
Rainy: A fleet of tall ships, led by the STS Young Endeavour and HM Bark Endeavour, were welcomed into the harbour in windy conditions yesterday
Review Governor-General Quentin Bryce, who represents Australia's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, will officially review the fleet during the event.
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Daring is joining in the celebrations
PLANS QINGDAO, HMS DARING AND USS CHOSIN: THE INTERNATIONAL WARSHIPS SAILING IN TO SYDNEY HARBOUR
Among the armada of more than 55 boats powering in to Sydney harbour today is a 20-strong fleet of international warships.
The US's warship USS Chosin, pictured above, is named in honor of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir of the Korean War
These include:
- China's PLANS Qingdao
- France's FNS Vendémiaire
- India's INS Sahyadri
- Indonesia's KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda
- Japan's JDS Makinami
- Malaysia's KD Jebat
- Micronesia's FSS Micronesia
- New Zealand's HMNZS Te Mana
- Nigeria's NNS Thunder
- Papua New Guinea's HMPNGS Rabaul and HMPNGS Dreger
- Singapore's RSS Endeavour
- Spain's SPS Cantabria
- Britain's HMS Daring
- America's USS Chosin
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