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Instead the exploits of a Launceston naval officer inspired the name of TS Tamar’s new safety boat.
TS Tamar, an Australian Navy Cadet unit based in Launceston, doused the boat in non-alcoholic sparkling wine to commemorate the occasion on Sunday.
TS Tamar commanding officer and Navy Cadets Lieutenant James Riley said a trip to the past inspired the name of the new vessel.
Launceston-born Captain Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux was given command of HMAS Australia in 1944 during World War II.
The HMAS Australia was initially responsible for supporting Allied landing at Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea.
His command later took him to the Phillippines where his crew was supporting American landings at Leyte Gulf on October 21, 1944.
“During a kamikaze attack, he was hit by shrapnel and later died,” Lt Riley said.
A Japanese dive-bomber struck the foremast of HMAS Australia causing an explosion and engulfing Australia’s bridge.
Capt Dechaineux was disembowelled by shrapnel, surviving only a few hours before he was buried at sea that night.
The highly regarded naval officer now has a submarine named after him.
“Their motto is ‘Fearless and Ferocious’,” Lt Riley said.
The TS Tamar had been issued the same crest as HMAS Dechaineux, but the cadet’s motto was modified to ‘Fearless and Strong’, he said.
“In recognition to this link to Launceston and our shared motto, we have named this vessel Fearless,” Lt Riley said.
“As a safety vessel, it may need to be fearless to do its job.”
The 4.7-metre rigid inflatable boat was donated by the Royal Australian Navy.
It would serve as a safety vessel for sailing days and a training vessel for staff and cadets, Lt Riley said.
Leading seaman Chantele Raine, 16, joined the cadets more than a year ago after Lt Riley visited her school to talk about the cadets.
“It’s all about learning,” Chantele said.
She was recognised as the Cadet of the Year at the TS Tamar awards afternoon on Sunday, held in conjunction with the boat naming ceremony.
Learning how to operate a motorboat meant cadets would know how to help in case of an emergency, she said.
Chantele enjoyed her time with the cadets, saying she met new people and got to try a range of different activities.
Lt Riley said the cadets had flown under the radar for a while.
But it is certainly not a new organisation.
TS Tamar has been around since the 1950s.
There are seven navy cadet units operating out of Tasmania, including a special band unit in Hobart.