HMAS Vendetta received a detailed handover from HMAS Brisbane in Subic Bay when she arrived for service during the Vietnam War. This was the occasion for Captain Willis, Brisbane (II)’s commanding officer to pass ‘the Weight’ to Vendetta’s commanding officer, Commander Johnston, symbolizing the official handover of gunline duties. ‘The Weight’ was fashioned from a pair of highly polished shell bases separated by a burnished metal rod. Around its base was inscribed the names of the RAN destroyers in the order of their deployment. Vendetta was the first and only RAN Daring Class destroyer to go to war. During the ensuing seven months, Vendetta performed credibly in a role for which she had been specifically designed – naval gunfire support. She proved herself to be a more than adequate replacement for a DDG on the ‘gunline.’ During her five tours totaling 93 days, Vendetta fired 13,295 4.5-inch shells, plus over 400 rounds of 40mm, steaming 21,000 nautical miles in the process.