Armada Ship Sailing for Australian Waters
On a frosty and unseasonably sunny Galician morning, the crew of Spanish Armada ship F-105 ESPS Cristóbal Colón, embarked with a detachment of five Royal Australian Navy personnel, departed the historic Naval station of Ferrol, bound for Australia. Australian Defence Attaché to Southern Europe, Captain Ray Leggatt and the Commander of the Naval Action Group One, Rear Admiral Spanish Armada, Alfonso Perez de Nandares, farewelled the frigate under the command of Commander Ignacio Cuartero Lorenzo. Cristóbal Colón will arrive at Fleet Base West, in Rockingham Western Australia, in mid-February and will remain until June supporting introduction into service training for the ship’s company of destroyer, NUSHIP Hobart.
100 Yrs Since Departure of Australian Expeditionary Force from Sydney
On 19 August 1914, an Australian expeditionary force sailed out of Sydney Harbour bound for German New Guinea. The departure was barely 15 days after Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Enlistment of the infantry based Army contingent was completed at Victoria Barracks, Paddington and further preparation and training occurred at the nearby Agricultural Showgrounds. The over 1,000 strong contingent of soldiers would later march down Oxford, College and Macquarie Streets to Fort Macquarie - the current site of the Sydney Opera House - to be ferried to Cockatoo Island. Six companies of Naval Reserve sailors from four states, each of about 50 men were concentrated separately.
HAL's World Cruise to Span 45 ports, 25 countries, 6 Continents
When ms Amsterdam departs Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 5, 2015, the cruise will span 114 days and call at 45 ports in 25 countries on six continents. Offering a refined and elegant “home away from home,” Amsterdam guests will enjoy gracious service, superior amenities and many special Grand Voyage experiences. For guests who have less time on their hands, eight segments ranging in length from 22 to 57 days are available from departure ports along the route. Highlights of the roundtrip Fort Lauderdale journey include 11 overnight calls in some of the world’s most exciting cities, transits of the Panama and Suez canals, crossing the equator and International Date Line, visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, evening theme balls, local entertainment and a host of other activities.
