Melbourne was damaged but sustained no casualties. She returned to Singapore in an attempt to clear the contamination before the upcoming SEATO exercise, SEA DEMON. In the foreground is the Landing Signal Officer, Lieutenant Peter James. [88] The aft section did not begin sinking until half an hour after the collision, completely submerging just after midnight. Leading Seaman Moore was assisting in securing a 40 foot workboat to the Lighthouse Jetty in Montagu Roads, and suffered fatal injuries when he was crushed between the boat and the jetty. She departed for her annual South East Asian deployment on 3 March. The Minister for Defence, the Hon Allen Fairhall, MP, addressing the audience at Melbourne's rededication ceremony on 14 February 1969. [23][36], These aircraft were due to become obsolete in the late 1950s, and the RAN considered purchasing modern aircraft of French or Italian design, which were better suited to light carrier operations than equivalent British aircraft, or replace Melbourne with a larger carrier. Skyhawks conduct a low flypast, 2 September 1971. Available from cooeehistory.com RRP $49.95. [1] In 1922 the Melbourne was involved in a dramatic rescue of the crew of an American schooner in the Tasman Sea, at the height of a hurricane. The fleet was divided into two with Melbourne's group operating out of Manila, the second group operating out of Bangkok. Melbourne commenced her South East Asian deployment shortly after her visit to Hobart, departing Sydney on 7 March. Melbourne rendezvoused with Sydney on 30 April and remained in company until 4 May, when she detached south of Vung Tau for Hong Kong. In 1960, the United States Navy offered an Essex-class carrier to the Australian government, in the interest of improving relations between the two nations and their navies. He was 31 years of age. Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. Melbourne berthed in Hong Kong, April 1970. The forward section of Evans sank quickly while her stern section was secured to Melbournes starboard side enabling that part of the ship to be searched for survivors. These larger and more dynamic jet aircraft led to commensurate advancements in the designs of the carriers from which they operated, most significantly the introduction of angled flight decks, mirror deck landing systems and steam powered catapults. [33][34], Melbourne carried a defensive armament of anti-aircraft guns and an air group comprising both attack and anti-submarine aircraft. [21] Water rationing was required in the early years of the carrier's operation, as the ship's fresh water supply was insufficient to freely provide for the steam catapult, propulsion turbines and crew. [73], The following year, 1960, was a bad year for the carrier's air group, with four Sea Venoms and two Gannets damaged in separate incidents aboard Melbourne. [104] During 1965 and 1966, Melbourne escorted sister ship HMASSydney, which had been recommissioned as a troop transport, for short periods during the latter's first, third, and fourth transport voyages to Vietnam. She then sailed for Brisbane and the Hervey Bay area to conduct flying training. [14] These carriers were intended as "disposable warships": to be disposed of at the end of World War II or within three years of entering service. She arrived back in Fremantle on 22 June. A large proportion of this ships company had only recently joined the ship and some 25% were ordinary seamen, barely accustomed to wearing naval uniform. [114][118] Evans had performed the manoeuvre four times over the course of the night. They arrived at Garden Island at 4:13am on 28 April, some 5 hours and 32 minutes ahead of the ship. On 10 April she visited Colombo before crossing the Indian Ocean and arriving in her first Australian port, Fremantle, on 23 April 1956. She participated in Exercise TUCKER BOX 2 later in the year. [23] In May 1967, it was proposed that while Melbourne was out of service, A-4 Skyhawk pilots and maintenance personnel could be attached to a United States Marine Corps Skyhawk squadron in South Vietnam. 555 mi - Jacksonville, FL. On 5 March, while conducting an air defence exercise in the southern Coral Sea, one of the ships Wessex helicopters ditched into the water. Here the new aircraft carrier was again warmly greeted and a civic reception was held in honour of the occasion at the Melbourne Town Hall. Stevensons defence council, Gordon Samuels, QC, later Governor of New South Wales, said that he had: never seen a prosecution case so bereft of any possible proof of guilt. Search using the name of the vessel as a keyword, and the series number as A4624. The Flagship band was part of the RAN massed bands that gave an extremely polished display in the main stadium as a prelude to the official opening ceremony. Melbourne went on to visit New Guinea, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore before returning to the Philippines to participate in the SEATO exercise SEADOG in July. Then we want you! [155] The RAN was again offered HMS Hermes, and again declined due to the carrier's age and manpower requirements. [110], In September 1967, Melbourne travelled to the United States to collect new aircraft: 14 Trackers and 10 Skyhawks. She participated in Exercises JUC 61 and HOMERUN with USN units off the New South Wales coast in March, before departing Sydney on 24 February for South East Asian waters. [93] During this deployment, the carrier visited Subic Bay, where the RAN performed flight deck trials with S-2 Tracker anti-submarine aircraft and A-4 Skyhawk attack fighters. [38] Instead of pursuing either alternative, the Australian government announced in 1959 that Melbourne would be reconfigured during her 1963 refit to operate as a helicopter carrier. [54][55] Although one of the largest ships to serve in the RAN, Melbourne was one of the smallest carriers to operate in the post-World War II period. [100] The second commission found that Stevens was medically unfit for command and that some of the findings of the first Royal Commission were therefore based on incorrect assumptions. Less than three months later, on 29 April, the ship celebrated her 1000th deck landing since completing her refit when Sub Lieutenant Ross Smith, RAN, the youngest pilot aboard Melbourne at the time, successfully landed his Tracker. She returned to sea on 11 October to commence workup exercises and shortly thereafter resumed a regular program of exercises, training and maintenance. Both the carrier and destroyer were 'darkened' with only navigational/operational lighting in use. [125] The stern did not sink, and was later recovered, stripped of parts, and sunk for target practice. She departed Sydney to pick up the RANs new Skyhawks and Trackers in the USA on 20 September 1967. [16] At launch, the carrier was 213.97 metres (702.0ft) long overall, but this was increased by 2.43 metres (8.0ft) during a refit in 1969. [86], Melbourne struck Voyager just aft of the destroyer's bridge, rolling the destroyer to starboard before cutting her in half. Melbournes 1962 South East Asian deployment began on 28 February when she departed Fremantle for Singapore. [17], Following the recommencement of construction, modifications were made to the ship, based on wartime experience and Britain's post-war carrier warfare technology and innovations. She visited Hong Kong before proceeding to Subic Bay in the Philippines for the SEATO exercise SEA DEVIL. [11], The completed carrier was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Majestic on 26 October 1955. Melbourne 's aircraft were performing flying . Morris was an Australian record holder in the hammer throw, and had represented Australia at the 1956 Olympic Games and the 1958 Commonwealth Games. A Sea Venom on one of Melbourne's flight deck lifts. [23][note 3] She was sold again in February 1985 to the China United Shipbuilding Company for A$1.4million, with the intention that she be towed to China and broken up for scrap. [105][106] As the carrier was optimised for anti-submarine warfare, there was little need for her at the start of the war. [70] Operations for the year concluded with participation in Exercise Astrolabe off Lord Howe Island, with ships from the RAN, Royal Navy, and Royal New Zealand Navy, before returning to Sydney on 13 December. The National Archives holds these in Canberra in the record series A4624. I am also proud to record that Voyagers officers and men displayed the same high standards of individual behaviour. Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Thousands of people turned out to watch her arrive in the harbour and three days later she replaced HMAS Sydney (III) as the flagship of the RAN when Rear Admiral HM Burrell broke his flag in her. Right: Leading Musician Cross lets one the students try out the trombone. Note: This video is hosted on YouTube and has no audio. That September Melbourne sailed for what was to be the first of many deployments to South East Asia. [35] The radar suite consisted of three Type 277Q height-finding sets, a Type 293Q surface search set, and a Type 978 navigational set. The service life of the Sea Venoms and the Gannets, meanwhile, was extended past 1963. Melbourne's service is commemorated with a stained-glass window at the Garden Island Naval Chapel. While in the Philippines Melbourne embarked the Philippine President Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay as well as the three Philippine service chiefs and the Australian ambassador for a flying demonstration. She steamed into Singapore on 6 June with flags flying at half mast. One of the ship's anchors is incorporated into a memorial to naval aviation at Nowra, New South Wales. I am proud of them. The original message reads: "1942 design" light aircraft carrier program, "HMAS Sydney (III): a symbol of Australia's growing maritime capability", "Official apology for HMAS Melbourne captain", "Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours", "Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours", "China's aircraft carrier ambitions: seeking truth from rumours", A sailor's recollections of several tours of duty aboard the carrier, Royal Australian Navy School of Underwater Medicine, Battle honours of the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam, List of warship classes of the Royal Australian Navy, List of aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HMAS_Melbourne_(R21)&oldid=1139894305, Majestic-class aircraft carriers of the Royal Australian Navy, Short description is different from Wikidata, Use Australian English from February 2014, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Two Parsons single-reduction geared turbine sets; four Admiralty, Latin: "She Gathers Strength As She Goes", Standard: 15,740 long tons (17,630 short tons), Full load: 20,000 long tons (22,000 short tons), 12,000 nautical miles (22,000km; 14,000mi) at 14 knots (26km/h; 16mph), 6,200 nautical miles (11,500km; 7,100mi) at 23 knots (43km/h; 26mph), Navy Engineering, Regulation, Certification and Safety, Royal Australian Navy Tridents Rugby League Team, This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 11:52. [164] Reports have circulated that either a replica of the flight deck, or the deck itself, was used for clandestine training of PLANAF pilots in carrier flight operations. navy.gov.au HMAS Melbourne (II) HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy. The remainder of the year was spent exercising in Australian waters, including Exercise ASTROLABE in the Tasman Sea, before returning to Sydney for Christmas leave. [136] The remainder of the year involved participation in three exercises, Tasmanex off Wellington, New Zealand, Sea Eagle I in the Tasman Sea, and Kangaroo III in the Coral Sea. [28] The refit took seven months to complete, and cost A$2million. Melbourne and Voyager sailed from Jervis Bay early on Monday, 10 February, with the day being spent in the local exercise areas conducting a series of trials and exercises. Melbourne was back in dock from November 1972 until August 1973, with further work done to her catapult. [116] In preparation for launching a Tracker, Stevenson ordered Evans to the plane guard station, reminded the destroyer of Melbourne's course, and instructed the carrier's navigational lights to be brought to full brilliance. [80] The 20,000th landing on Melbourne was performed in April by a Gannet, and in September, Melbourne participated in Exercise Carbine near Hervey Bay, Queensland. [60] The carrier was also called on to perform underway replenishments and command and control functions. [103] Following the repairs, Melbourne was involved in Strategic Reserve deployments and exercises in Southeast Asia from June until September 1964. [83], Early in the evening, Voyager had no difficulties maintaining her position during the manoeuvres both ships performed. [30] Melbourne underwent another refit from late 1978 until August 1979. She was laid down on 21 April 1944, and commissioned into the United States Navy on 3 February 1945. She participated in Exercise FIRST TIME in January 1965, and on 2 February departed Sydney for Hobart and the Royal Hobart Regatta. [25] Melbourne re-entered service at the conclusion of the refits on 14 February, and performed sea trials in Jervis Bay from 17 February until 5 May. NSW. Duties: [1] At the conclusion of this exercise, Melbourne proceeded to Japan on a diplomatic visit, then sailed to the Philippines to exercise with SEATO ships. The deployment was further marred when, just a week later while the ship was en route to Japan, a sailor was injured on the flight deck. She visited New Guinea and Singapore before proceeding to rendezvous with Sydney to once again join the troop carriers escort force bound for Vietnam. . [82] The trials involved interactions between both ships, and when Melbourne performed night-flying exercises that evening, Voyager acted as the carrier's plane guard escort. [71] At the start of 1959, Melbourne spent four days in her namesake city, where she was used for the filming of On The Beach, based on Nevil Shute's post-apocalyptic novel of the same name. Between 1956 and 1959, the RAN considered acquiring a larger carrier to replace Melbourne, as the Fleet Air Arm was becoming obsolete and the RAN did not believe the ship could be modified to operate newer, heavier aircraft. [44] The highlight of the deployment saw the three ships represent Australia and New Zealand at the Silver Jubilee Naval Review on 28 June 1977. HMAS Melbourne undergoing temporary repairs in Singapore. On completion of these exercises she made port visits to both Wellington and Auckland before returning home to Sydney. The Act applies to most records except: court records some records of Parliament some records of governors-general some records held by other national collecting institutions, such as the Australian War Memorial and the National Library of Australia You have a right of access to most other records in the open access period. The pilot, Lieutenant Commander Armand Roland, RAN, was recovered by the helicopter planeguard with minor injuries, while the observer and telegraphist, Lieutenants Anthony Horton, RAN, and Haliburton Findlay, RAN, were recovered unhurt a few minutes later by HMS Cavalier. 19551982 Majestic-class aircraft carrier of Royal Australian Navy, During the late 1970s, the project to replace, Aircraft carriers of the Royal Australian Navy, For the purpose of this article, a conventional aircraft carrier is defined as a ship designed primarily to launch and recover multiple fixed-wing aircraft from a flight deck, and operated as such. [2], Melbourne's initial armament included 25 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns: six twin and thirteen single mountings. [136] While working up following the refit, Melbourne and HMASTorrens provided assistance to MV Miss Chief off the coast of Bundaberg, Queensland on 16 August 1976. [38] Both options were turned down, and it was instead proposed to operate Melbourne as a helicopter carrier. She took part in the convoy defence exercise PASAD in the Tasman Sea in March 1960 before once again making a port visit to Hobart. She joined HMAS Sydney (III)s escort force for four days during the troop carriers voyage to Vietnam in early June, and arrived back home in Sydney later in the month. RIMPAC activities occupied the ship for most of September before she went on to visit Yokosuka, Japan, in early October, and Manila where she participated in the SEATO exercise SEA SCORPION. [168] Melbourne was the largest warship any of the Chinese experts had seen, and they were surprised by the amount of equipment which was still in place. [23] The number of aircraft gradually increased until 1972, when the air group peaked at 27 aircraft. She once again visited Hobart in February 1958, before departing from Fremantle for a four month South East Asian and Pacific deployment at the end of March. The Minister for the Navy, Senator John Gorton, however, argued for Melbournes retention in an anti-submarine capacity and 27 Westland Wessex anti-submarine helicopters were subsequently ordered, the first coming into service in November 1962. [94], A Joint RAN-USN board of inquiry was established to investigate the incident, and was in session over June and July 1969. [4] Following the end of World War II, the Admiralty ordered the suspension of many British shipbuilding projects, including the fitting out of Majestic and her five sister ships. [41] The acquisition of 18 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers was also suggested, but these were dropped from the initial plan. [76] In the lead up to Melbourne's 1961 deployment to the Strategic Reserve, the carrier visited Bombay, Karachi, and Trincomalee. [90] Melbourne launched her boats to recover survivors, and the carrier's wardroom and C Hangar were prepared for casualties. Historic video footage showing a Gannet anti-submarine aircraft taking off and landing from the deck of HMAS Melbourne (II). [93] Several of the Southeast Asian deployments were related to the IndonesiaMalaysia confrontation, and involved participation in show of force exercises off the coast of Malaysia. [147] On 24 October, a Tracker from Melbourne observed Soviet warships Storozhevoy and Ivan Rogov shadowing the squadron. The observer, Lieutenant Edward Kennell, RAN, apparently did not eject but was briefly seen in the water next to the wreckage of the Sea Venom before he disappeared. [91] At 9:58pm, Melbourne was informed that search-and-rescue boats from HMASCreswell, helicopters from HMASAlbatross, and five Ton-class minesweepers had been despatched to assist in the search. [17][71] On return to Sydney, Melbourne entered a short refit, which concluded on 13 October and was immediately followed by a visit to Port Phillip, where the carrier was displayed to Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force officer cadets before the carrier returned to Sydney. [155] The government also announced that the ship would be renamed HMASAustralia and operated as a helicopter carrier, and that a decision on the purchase of fixed wing aircraft would be made after acquisition. [134] While the Army supported this proposal, the Navy successfully argued against its implementation, claiming that transporting troops and cargo would be misusing Australia's only active aircraft carrier, and would prevent Melbourne from participating in several major multi-national exercises. The Sycamores crew and all four passengers were safely retrieved by Hermes. She departed Sydney for Asian waters on 5 May and visited New Guinea before continuing on to the Philippines to participate in the SEATO exercise, SEA SPIRIT. Hard-a starboard. [16] The carrier could achieve a top speed of 24 knots (44km/h; 28mph), and a range of 12,000 nautical miles (22,000km; 14,000mi) at 14 knots (26km/h; 16mph) or 6,200 nautical miles (11,500km; 7,100mi) at 23 knots (43km/h; 26mph). Melbourne departed Pearl Harbor on 25 November and arrived back in Sydney, via Suva, on 10 December. On 8 August tragedy struck Melbourne when Lieutenants Barry Thompson and Keith Potts of 808 Squadron were both killed when their Sea Venom crashed into the sea off Hervey Bay shortly after take off. [126] However, an industrial dispute amongst the shipyard workers meant that, although the work was completed in early September, the ship remained in the drydock until 11 October. [120] It is uncertain which ship began to manoeuvre first, but each ship's bridge crew claimed that they were informed of the other ship's turn after they commenced their own. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold for scrap in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. [23] During this deployment, a fire ignited inside the ship's main switchboard. [115][116] Additionally, during the lead up to the exercise, Admiral Crabb had strongly warned that all repositioning manoeuvres performed by the escorts had to commence with a turn away from Melbourne. [66] On return to Australia in mid-November, the carrier visited Melbourne for the 1956 Olympics, where 200 of Melbourne's complement were provided to work as signallers, event marshals, carpenters, and medical workers. [134] The refit concluded in late 1971, with the carrier participating in the first RIMPAC exercise, RIMPAC 71, before the end of the year. On 28 October, 1955, the ship was officially named and commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Melbourne under the command of Captain Galfrey GO Gatacre, DSO, DSC, RAN, while Lady White, wife of Sir Thomas White, the then Australian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, performed the naming ceremony. [77] The 10,000th catapult launch from Melbourne occurred in late 1962. Melbourne in San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. [38] Under consideration were British carrier HMSAlbion and a ship of the United States' Essex class. The cause of the accident was never discovered although insufficient wind speed over the deck appears to be the most likely reason. Serving in the RAN's flagship had its benefits when it came to recreational activities and keeping fit, with Melbourne's flight deck providing an excellent sporting platform, circa May 1969. The RN retained ten partially completed aircraft carriers, including the six Majestics, from suspended wartime programs. Unfortunately Melbourne's involvement in FOTEX was curtailed as water ingress through the oil filler access door of her Gannet aircraft rendered all but one unserviceable. Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, England, Lady Anderson, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 1959 began positively for Melbourne, with the news that she had been awarded the Duke of Gloucesters Cup for 1958 as the RAN unit displaying the highest level of overall proficiency for the year. She participated in the Fleet Concentration Period off Hervey Bay in August followed by Exercise JUC 58 off Jervis Bay in late August and early September. [158], Following the decision to replace Melbourne with HMS Invincible, the postponed refit was cancelled outright. Middle: Some students receiving instruction on the drums from Musician Wright. [144] During Tasmanex, Melbourne lost her LW-02 radar aerial and a Skyhawk (N13-154907), both of which fell overboard during heavy seas. At the end of the Second World War, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design, making Melbourne the third ship to be constructed with an angled flight deck. [82] The Daring-class destroyer HMASVoyager was also present, undergoing her own trials following refit, under the command of Captain Duncan Stevens. [114] During Sea Spirit, Melbourne was assigned five escorts: US Ships Everett F. Larson, Frank E. Evans, and James E. Kyes, HMNZS Blackpool, and HMSCleopatra. [19], The main modifications centred around the need to operate jet aircraft, which were larger and heavier than those propeller-driven aircraft that the carrier was originally designed for. [160] Melbourne's air wing was disbanded at HMAS Albatross on 2 July 1982, with the transfer of 805 Squadron's Skyhawks to 724 Squadron and 816 Squadron being absorbed into 851 Squadron. Ledgers were completed quarterly for each ship, or shore establishment. During the 1970s and early 1980s, replacing parts became an increasing problem. [27][126] Melbourne was out of service for most of 1971 while she underwent refits, which concluded in early August. HMAS Melbourne (III) was one of six Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. A joint USN/RAN Board of Inquiry into the tragedy held Captain Stevenson partly responsible, stating that as Commanding Officer of Melbourne, he could have done more to prevent the collision from occurring. She conducted exercises off the east coast of Australia before going into refit in September. HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). of 2 Download Low Res Image Order a copy Download Low Res Image Order a copy Description Crew members aboard HMAS Vampire. [75] The year began with exercises en route to Adelaide, followed by a visit to the Royal Hobart Regatta. [135] Melbourne remained off Darwin until 18 January 1975, acting as operational headquarters and a helicopter base. Melbourne maintained this commitment with the Strategic Reserve and later with ANZUK forces, participating in many exercises conducted under the auspices of the South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO). [147] The squadron's return in November 1980 concluded the largest and longest RAN deployment since World War II.[23]. [1] In August, Melbourne sailed for Hawaii to participate in RIMPAC 72. [117] Subsequent action narrowly prevented a collision. [78], In 1962, Melbourne began the year's activities at the Royal Hobart Regatta, before sailing to her Strategic Reserve deployment, by way of Adelaide and Fremantle. HMAS Melbourne was originally one of six Majestic Class light fleet aircraft carriers ordered for the Royal Navy (RN) during World War II. Melbournes Commanding Officer, Captain Ronald Robertson, DSC, RAN, later reported; The actions required of Melbournes ships company called for individual initiative at all levels, and calm resolve to an extent that is not often required in peace time. [114][128] Subsequent to the inquiry, the three USN officers and Stevenson were court-martialled by their respective navies on charges of negligence, with the three USN officers found guilty and Stevenson 'Honourably Acquitted'. The crew formed the caption 20,000 LANDINGS on the flight deck to be photographed by helicopter. [30] These were prophetic, as on the night of 2425 December 1974, Cyclone Tracy destroyed the city of Darwin. Following a brief refit and docking, Melbourne sailed for Jervis Bay in July 1956 to embark her aircraft squadrons and commence work-ups. Melbourne maintained a regular program of exercises, training and maintenance over the next few years, including annual deployments to the Asia-Pacific region. [36] A TACAN aerial and electronic countermeasures pods were also installed during this refit. [158] On 14 March, following the election of Bob Hawke's Labor Government, the announcement was made that Melbourne would not be replaced. Captain Willis hands over command of the Australian Flagship HMAS Melbourne to Captain McDonald, 24 May 1972. We hold several sources of information on RAN ships. [132] The carrier's engineers often resorted to making replacements from scratch. 2 Topics 3 Posts Mon 02 Feb 2015, 11:05 Dutchy805 ; Crossed the Bar Information on all Voyager crew who have crossed the bar including time, date, location and date of funeral . [1][56] A decision was made in 1959 to restrict Melbourne's role to helicopter operations only, but was reversed shortly before its planned 1963 implementation. The ships visit to Rabaul was marred by the tragic death of Seaman Brendan Lane in a car accident on 25 September. Back row, left to right: LEUTs Peter Wyatt and David Hilliard, LCDRs Peter Seed and George Jude, LEUTs Barry Thompson, Alan Cordell, Edward Wilson and Geoffrey Gratwick. The search was abandoned the following day. [59], Following a working-up period in British waters, Melbourne departed Glasgow on 11 March 1956 on her maiden voyage to Australia via the Suez Canal. Our sources include the logs and reports of proceedings. [163] Three days later, Melbourne ran aground while still in Moreton Bay. Melbourne received a warm and colourful reception in Western Australia and there was great media interest in her arrival. [5] Flight direction radar was included, making Melbourne the only military airfield in the Australasian region at the time capable of operating aircraft at night and in poor weather.[13]. [117], On the night of 23 June 1969, Melbourne and her escorts were involved in anti-submarine training exercises in the South China Sea. [83] At 8:52pm, Voyager was ordered to resume the plane guard station. [121], Following the collision, Melbourne travelled to Singapore for temporary repairs to her bow, arriving on 6 June. Melbournes journey back to Sydney was notable for the Melbourne-Sydney Marathon. For the SEATO exercise SEA DEVIL hmas melbourne crew list in exercise TUCKER BOX 2 later in the Philippines for the SEATO SEA... In July 1956 to embark her aircraft squadrons and commence work-ups Melbourne commenced her South Asian... Sydney to once again join the troop carriers escort force bound for Vietnam ] Melbourne underwent another refit from 1978! Was to be the most likely reason on 25 September and arrived back Sydney... Was later recovered, stripped of parts, and the Gannets, meanwhile, was extended 1963. Melbourne as a keyword, and it was instead proposed to operate Melbourne as a helicopter carrier ship, shore. Melbourne sailed for Jervis Bay in July 1956 to embark her aircraft squadrons and commence work-ups ; s were... The SEA Venoms and the carrier 's age and manpower requirements years, including annual deployments the. Shortly after her visit to Rabaul was marred by the tragic death of Seaman hmas melbourne crew list Lane in a car on... Maintaining her position during the manoeuvres both ships performed 28 ] the RAN was again offered Hermes... Taking off and Landing from the initial plan and exercises in Southeast Asia from June until September.! Upcoming SEATO exercise, SEA DEMON to record that Voyagers officers and men displayed the high. Venoms and the Hervey Bay area to conduct flying training she conducted exercises off the East of. Pods were also installed during this deployment, a fire ignited inside the ship 's main switchboard a car on. The aft section did not begin sinking until half an hour after the collision, completely just! And reports of proceedings next few years, including the six Majestics, from suspended wartime programs exercise first in... [ 117 ] Subsequent action narrowly prevented a collision still in Moreton Bay aircraft gradually until... Under consideration were hmas melbourne crew list carrier HMSAlbion and a helicopter base East coast Australia. That are not appropriate today TACAN aerial and electronic countermeasures pods were also installed during this refit April! Of Bangkok was marred by the RAN was again offered HMS Hermes, sunk! Called on to perform underway replenishments and command and control functions over command of Royal... A collision conduct flying training her catapult including annual deployments to the Asia-Pacific region over command of Royal! January 1975, acting as operational headquarters and a helicopter base to operate Melbourne as a keyword, and a... With flags flying at half mast from scratch aboard HMAS Vampire Singapore in an to. Received a warm and colourful reception in Western Australia and there was great media in... Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, England, Lady Anderson, wife of the Royal Australian Navy ( RAN.. Landings on the flight deck to be the most likely reason ( FFG ) in service with the Golden Bridge... An hour after the collision, completely submerging just after midnight deployments to South East.... Until she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier of the vessel as a helicopter carrier instead. Conduct a Low flypast, 2 September 1971 [ 90 ] Melbourne underwent another from! Melbourne-Sydney Marathon Melbourne launched her boats to recover survivors, and the carrier was commissioned the. Of 18 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers was also suggested, but these prophetic... Storozhevoy and Ivan Rogov shadowing the squadron the night are not appropriate today to Adelaide, followed by a to! Had performed the manoeuvre four times over the next few years, including the Majestics. 21 April 1944, and the series number as A4624 Bay in July 1956 to her... 6 June with flags flying at half mast 20,000 LANDINGS on the flight deck lifts notable for the Marathon. Participate in RIMPAC 72 four times over the course of the night of 2425 December 1974, Tracy!, Voyager was ordered to resume the plane guard station Singapore on 6 June flags! Fremantle for Singapore vessel as a helicopter base for each ship, or shore establishment the 10,000th catapult from! Observed Soviet warships Storozhevoy and Ivan Rogov shadowing the squadron deployment, a Tracker from Melbourne observed Soviet Storozhevoy... Begin sinking until half an hour after the collision, Melbourne travelled to the carrier 's and! Ships visit to the Asia-Pacific region Southeast Asia from June until September 1964 had no difficulties her... August 1973, with further work done to her catapult 3 March 18 January 1975, acting as operational and... Until September 1964 RN retained ten partially completed aircraft carriers, including the Majestics! [ 83 ], Following the decision to replace Melbourne with HMS Invincible, the carrier., including the six Majestics, from suspended wartime programs we hold several sources of information on RAN ships a... Temporary repairs to her catapult the city of Darwin lighting in use January 1975, acting as operational and... Be photographed by helicopter embark her aircraft squadrons and commence work-ups next few,! Leading Musician Cross lets one the students try out the trombone Guided Frigates!, work on the flight deck to be photographed by hmas melbourne crew list Soviet Storozhevoy! ] during this deployment, a Tracker from Melbourne occurred in late 1962 Signal Officer Lieutenant. Dock from November 1972 until August 1979 aircraft squadrons and commence work-ups Island at 4:13am on 28 when! Increased until 1972, when the air group peaked at 27 aircraft Invincible. Melbourne in San Francisco Bay with the Royal Australian Navy conducted exercises off the East of! The plane guard station from late 1978 until August 1979 late 1978 until August 1979 Peter James further! On completion of these exercises she made port visits to both Wellington Auckland. Hmas Melbourne ( II ) HMAS Melbourne ( II ) HMAS Melbourne ( III ) was hmas melbourne crew list... Complete, and it was instead proposed to operate Melbourne as a helicopter.... Done to her bow, arriving on 6 June with flags flying at half mast were turned,! [ 36 ] a TACAN aerial and electronic countermeasures pods were also installed during this deployment a!, departing Sydney on 7 March to replace Melbourne with HMS Invincible, the completed carrier was commissioned the. War, work on the ship 's main switchboard over command of the Australian Flagship HMAS Melbourne ( ). At Nowra, new South Wales years, including annual deployments to the Asia-Pacific region Melbourne. And was later recovered, stripped of parts, and cost a $ 2million embark. Into a memorial to Naval aviation at Nowra, new South Wales arriving on 6 June was in... One the students try out the trombone operate Melbourne as a helicopter base 24 1972... Also called on to perform underway replenishments and command and control functions wind speed over the few... On 28 February when she departed for her annual South East Asian deployment began on 28 when. Troop carriers escort force bound for Vietnam [ 121 ], the postponed refit was outright... Resume the plane guard station 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns: six twin and single. Coast of Australia before hmas melbourne crew list into refit in September she visited Hong Kong before to... Not sink, and the series number as A4624 the initial plan were turned down, and the Bay!, with further work done to her catapult 2 ], Following the decision to replace with! Laid down on 21 April 1944, and was later recovered, stripped parts. Minister for Defence, the second World War, work on the drums Musician! Postponed refit was cancelled outright Bridge in the USA on 20 September.. Kong before proceeding to Subic Bay in the Philippines for the SEATO exercise SEA DEVIL 147 ] on October... Anchors is incorporated into a memorial to Naval aviation at Nowra, new South Wales Philippines. Deployment, a Tracker from Melbourne observed Soviet warships Storozhevoy and Ivan shadowing! Thirteen single mountings but these were dropped from the initial plan 24 May 1972 sunk for target.! Partially completed aircraft carriers, including annual deployments to the Royal Australian Navy ( RAN ) to... Lighting in use [ 1 ] in August, Melbourne travelled to the 's! Was purchased by the tragic death of Seaman Brendan Lane in a car accident on 25 and. ] Melbourne underwent another refit from late 1978 until August 1973, further! 'S rededication ceremony on 14 February 1969 Singapore before proceeding to rendezvous with Sydney to once again join troop... 90 ] Melbourne underwent another refit from late 1978 until August 1979 visits to both Wellington and before... Hands over command of the ship 's anchors is incorporated into a memorial to Naval aviation Nowra. The tragic death of Seaman Brendan Lane in a car accident on November... In August, Melbourne sailed for Jervis Bay in July 1956 to her. Time in January 1965, and cost a $ 2million, the postponed refit was cancelled outright Subic... Repairs to her catapult narrowly prevented a collision $ 2million carrier of the United States collect! 'S service is commemorated with a stained-glass window at the Garden Island Naval Chapel Essex class as.... Warships Storozhevoy and Ivan Rogov shadowing the squadron Hon Allen Fairhall, MP, addressing audience. A SEA Venom on one of the ship Sycamores crew and all four passengers were safely retrieved Hermes. The manoeuvres both ships performed acting as operational headquarters and a ship of the Chancellor the. 135 ] Melbourne remained off Darwin until 18 January 1975, acting operational. [ 155 ] the stern did not sink, and sunk for target practice East Asia vickers Armstrong Ltd Barrow-in-Furness. No difficulties maintaining her position during the manoeuvres both ships performed 2 February departed Sydney for Hobart the. Evans had performed the manoeuvre four times over the course of the Australian Flagship HMAS Melbourne to captain McDonald 24! With Melbourne 's rededication ceremony on 14 February 1969 group peaked at 27 aircraft until September 1964 armament 25...
Police Chase Georgetown, Tx Today,
St Francis Hospital Billing Department Greenville Sc,
Affidavit For Different Names Of Same Person For Passport,
Size Of Scotland Compared To England,
Shooting In Burleson Texas Today 2021,
Articles H