Launched on 9 April 1951 by Countess Mountbatten of Burma HMNZS Duchess had a fascinating history. Initially serving in the Royal Navy as HMS Duchess she patrolled the Mediterranean. She even escorted the royal yacht Britannia. During the Suez Crisis she operated as a plane guard and escort. Later the 1964 Melbourne-Voyager collision led to a significant change in her destiny. The Royal Navy loaned HMNZS Duchess to the Royal Australian Navy. She became HMAS Duchess. This was a temporary replacement for the lost HMAS Voyager.
For years HMNZS Duchess served in the Far East Strategic Reserve. She played a crucial role during the Vietnam War. She escorted the troopship HMAS Sydney on several voyages. These voyages carried troops to Vung Tau. The original four-year loan was extended until 1972. Then the Australian government bought her outright.
HMNZS Duchess was converted into a training ship in 1973-1974. She trained midshipmen in Australian New Zealand and South Pacific waters. She remained in service until 1977. Finally she was decommissioned and scrapped in 1980 in Taiwan. Her story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of naval vessels. A symbol of the strong bonds between the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. HMNZS Duchess’s legacy continues. She represents a vital chapter in naval history.