The Fort George isn't an Aussie ship my mate, she's British.
She's an RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary).
Basically a ship ran by the MOD and crewed by British Merchant Seamen to supply ships from British and other Navies with fuel, stores and ammunition whilst underway at sea.
It wasn't the Fort George who fought down South but the Fort Grange (Since renamed Fort Rosalie and still going strong).
Yes, she's for the knackers yard mate. Another victim of the UK's defence cuts.
Here you go:
RFA Fort George arriving at Liverpool for lay up and disposal.
"Built by Swan Hunters on the Tyne and completed in 1994 she is the largest vessel in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to be de-commissioned under the latest defence cuts in the UK. Designed to part of a 12 ship class only two were built the other being RFA Fort Victoria. The idea behind them was that they would be a “one stop” ship able to supply fuel oils, dry stores, and fresh water; in addition they have extensive helicopter maintenance facilities. They were also fitted for, but not with, the Sea Wolf air defence system for self defence.
Whist the older units of the RFA fleet are being refurbished the relatively young Fort George has several drawbacks including her relatively high manning and running costs and because she has only a single hull in the way of her replenishment oil tanks thus rendering her, technically, unable to carry fuel oil which is used to replenish warships at sea. Although he ships have been given and exemption from these requirements for the time being however, this runs out in 2016 when all tankers without exception, will have to be of double hull construction.
What is to become of her now is unclear, under normal circumstances she still has plenty of life left in her. Perhaps she will be used to supply spare parts to her sister ship Fort Victoria, or she may be sold to a less fastidious navy were such petty restrictions are of little consequence – time will tell."
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A sad day.
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