The irony of welcoming an American navy crew from USS Canberra into our land-locked city is not lost on us, however this weekend’s commissioning ceremony and Freedom of Entry Parade is a world first.
The USS Canberra is the only US Navy ship in the entire fleet named after a foreign city and it is the first time a US ship has been commissioned outside of America.
Given the dimensions of the 3,200 tonne ship and the limitations of Lake Burley Griffin, the actual commissioning will take place at Sydney Harbour on Saturday, where the 127-metre long ship will be launched and slipped into Australia’s waters.
The historic formalities will continue in Canberra on Sunday at 10am, where 100 US Navy crew – complete with band and US Navy precision Drill Team – will march down Northbourne Avenue into the city and be challenged by the AFP’s Chief Police Officer with a theatrical “halt, who goes there”.
The Captain of the USS Canberra will reply that they’re exercising the right of the freedom of entry and, with dramatic flair, the Chief of Police will demand, “prove it”. Spoiler alert: They have a scroll that grants permission and they’re free to enter.
This is the first time Canberra has offered Freedom of Entry to a US Navy vessel. Our Chief Minister will salute the marching parade and history will be made.
Commissioner for International Engagement, Brendan Smyth, says the ceremonial Freedom of Entry parade emphasises the more than 100 years of mateship built on friendship, history, democracy and respect.
“It’s a way of acknowledging that bond,” Mr Smyth says. “We’ve got such a long history – there were Americans convicts on the first fleet. The two countries have fought side-by-side in every major conflict since World War I.”
Canberra’s namesake is a Littoral combat ship that can clock more than 40 knots and is described as “manoeuvrable and formidable”. Just like Canberra. Its crew have sailed all the way from San Diego, California to be here.
As a “ship-warming” present, Canberra is donating a copy of the Rover Thomas Dream Serpent painting to hang onboard the vessel.
“The Freedom of Entry is a military parade but it’s not about military,” Mr Smyth says. “It’s about community to community. The US Navy has honoured us by naming a ship after our city and we should return that honour by welcoming the crew into our city.”
Mr Smyth acknowledges the irony of an inland city welcoming a US Navy ship but added that “we are an inland city because of naval ambition”.
“When [they] decided our city was to be inland, due to the war, Canberra had to be more than 30km inland, which was the range of a 16-inch naval gun at the time. We’re actually inland because of naval guns.”
Interestingly, there are only two ships in the entire US fleet not named for American places, people or events. USS Canberra is one and the other is USS Winston Churchill. The USS Winston Churchill always has a British naval officer and the USS Canberra will have an Australian officer. Bon voyage, USS Canberra.
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