Correct, Jim McQuarrie. Modified Leander-class frigate, pennant number 53 and commissioned into the RAN, at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, Australia as a Destroyer Escort in January 1971. Regards, Stevan Coll

Wiki says Destroyer DE53???

The description caption above is incorrect. Respectfully, I would like to state that this is in fact a TOWEX evolution: TORRENS is paying out a messenger line to STUART, which in turn is attached to a much thicker towing hawser, with which STUART will tow TORRENS. A Jackstay Transfer of stores and/or personnel is conducted while underway, often while at slow speed, but frequently faster, either to conduct training or in real time necessity. Setting up for a TOWEX is conducted while in close proximity, alongside each other then slowly increasing speed so that the lead ship takes up the slack, with one anchor suspended in the middle acting as a counter tension spring. Kind regards to all, Stevan Coll (ex-POMPTP3*, RAN, HMAS TORRENS,1971/1972).

I was commissioning crew on Torrens and she was a grand lady of the seas.

Yes, they were good looking vessels for sure. I have posted another of her sister ship, HMAS Swan taken in the same year, 1972. I think they are both "Reefs" now...

Beautiful lines on her. Thank you!