The ex-HMAS Hobart was specially prepared and sunk as a dive site. As part of the preparation, many holes and hatches were cut to allow easy access to scuba divers and navigation throughout the wreck. However, the Hobart is also a very intact wreck, with much of the original equipment, instrumentation and many fittings - including filing cabinets, sinks, toilets and tools - still in place to create many points of interest. There are also some more challenging penetrations for more experienced scuba divers, and the sheer size of the ship means it has something to offer every diver!
Access the bridge, engine room, missile magazine & more
You can sit in the capitans chair or look into the inner workings of the engine room and missile magazine, check out the guns, or the mess deck, or take the controls on the conning bridge. You can even do a spot of ironing in the laundry.
An amazing artificial reef
The exHMAS Hobart was sunk in November 2002 and already it is teeming with life. Schools of snapper, whiting and bearded cod roam the outside, bullseyes, blennies and leatherjackets are moving in, and invertebrate life covers all the ship's surfaces.
Dive the ex HMAS Hobart with Underwater Sports
Why dive the Hobart with us? We run exHMAS Hobart scuba dives every weekend (see the calendar), but not only that: As well as providing a friendly, safe and enjoyable experience, we know the Hobart better than anyone (except perhaps those that served on her!) Underwater sports staff were instrumental in organising the sinking of the ex-HMAS Hobart as a dive site and since the sinking all our Divemasters and other staff have performed literally thousands of dives on this amazing site. Our commitment to quality and personalised service means we can offer you both the safest and most enjoyable diving experience.
The exHMAS Hobart was known as the "Green Ghost" due to her speed, which made her appear to be able to be in several places at once.
The HMAS Hobart was a Charles F. Adams class guided missile destroyer in the Royal Australia Navy (DDG 39), built in the United States of America and commissioned in 1965 in Boston. Her role was air defence of the fleet.
HMAS Hobart completed three tours of duty off South Vietnam in 1967, 1968 and 1970 with each tour being 6 months in duration. In 1968, two sailors lost their lives and seven others were injured after the vessel was hit by "friendly" fire. In 1988 HMAS Hobart participated in the Hobart Bicentennial Australia Day Celebrations. She was decommisioned on 12th May 2000 and on the 5th November 2002 was scuttled in Yankallila bay as an artificial reef and dive site.
Facts about the Hobart:
Class of ship
An improved Charles F. Adams class guided missile destroyer
whose main role was air defence of the Fleet. The design of
ships of this class was particularly versatile and she had
anti-submarine and surface gunnery capabilities.
Keel laid October 26, 1962
Launched January 9, 1964 by Mrs David Hay, wife of the then Australian Ambassador to the United Nations
Commissioned December 18, 1965 at Boston. Built by Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, Michigan - the second of three guided missile destroyers built for the Royal Australian Navy.
Armament
TARTAR guided missile (single rail launcher), two 5"/54
calibre rapid fire fully automatic guns (in single turrets).
Anti-submarine torpedoes (two triple mounts). IKARA,
Australian designed and built long-range anti-submarine
weapon (fitted in Australia).
Propulsion
Speeds in excess of 30 knots were obtained from geared steam
turbines on two shafts.
Command facilities
The latest concepts in long range sonar, radar,
communication and electronic equipment provided the Command
with the necessary up-to-date information in the Operations
Room.
Accommodation
All living spaces were air-conditioned. Amenities included
regular movie shows, internal news and broadcasting
services, free laundry, a canteen stocked with a wide
variety of goods and all the latest facilities expected of
modern day ships.
Cost
Purchased by Australia from the United States of America for
US$45,000,000 including spare parts, stores, ammunition etc.
Specially prepared for scuba divers
Access the bridge, engine room, missile magazine & more
"The Green Ghost"