In June 1981, crew on the Australian Navy's HMAS Melbourne were flying in an anti-submarine patrol plane, a Grumman S-2G Tracker 851, when they helped rescue 99 refugees from their broken-down vessel in the South China Sea, 250 nautical miles east of Vietnam. [83], Early in the evening, Voyager had no difficulties maintaining her position during the manoeuvres both ships performed. On 10 April she visited Colombo before crossing the Indian Ocean and arriving in her first Australian port, Fremantle, on 23 April 1956. Melbourne 's aircraft were performing flying . The Melbourne-Evans collision was a collision between the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans of the United States Navy (USN). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [166] The towing gear broke a day later, requiring a second tug to secure the carrier while repairs were made to De Ping. Melbournes journey back to Sydney was notable for the Melbourne-Sydney Marathon. Following the first decommissioning of sister ship HMASSydney in 1958, Melbourne became the only aircraft carrier in Australian service. [134] The refit concluded in late 1971, with the carrier participating in the first RIMPAC exercise, RIMPAC 71, before the end of the year. Pls b advised that HMAS Melbourne arrived at Port Huangpu, intact n safely afloat, proud n majestic. These generally involve requisitioned vessels. Shift: Monday thru Friday 6:00pm-2:30am. [3] It has also been claimed that the Royal Australian Navy received and "politely rejected" a request from the PLAN for blueprints of the ship's steam catapult. Then we want you! 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. Budgetary constraints from the late 1950s had placed some doubt over the future of naval aviation given the large financial outlay required to operate aircraft carriers and their associated aircraft. [85] Both ships' measures were too late to avoid a collision; Melbourne hit Voyager at 8:56pm. [93][94], Of the 314 personnel aboard Voyager at the time of the collision, 14 officers, 67 sailors, and 1 civilian dockyard worker were killed, including Stevens and all but two of the bridge team. Subsequent reports and inquiries noted the exemplary behaviour, absence of panic, and the quiet and calm courage displayed by all involved in the aftermath of the tragedy. [2], Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. In the act of taking a new station 1,000 yards astern of the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21), the two ships were soon on a collision course. Melbourne struck Voyager at the after end of her bridge, heeling her over to an angle of about 50 degrees. Right: Leading Musician Cross lets one the students try out the trombone. Corrective action from both ships was required to avoid a collision. VIN 3GTP1NEC0JG512012. The passage proved a difficult one as cyclonic conditions caused a number of accidents and injuries throughout the fleet, including a shipwright aboard Melbourne who injured his hand in a circular saw and required surgery. [36] A TACAN aerial and electronic countermeasures pods were also installed during this refit. [30][146] On 18 August, Melbourne sailed for Fremantle to participate in Exercise Sandgroper 80. She went on to participate in the international cross service Exercise TUCKER BOX in the Coral Sea in August before visiting New Zealand in September. 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. [148] The carrier's deployments for the second half of the year consisted of two exercises, Sea Hawk and Kangaroo 81. Laid down for the RN as HMS Majestic on 15 April 1943 and launched in 1945, the ship was nearing completion when construction was virtually brought to a halt with the cessation of wartime hostilities. Photo courtesy Lieutenant Commander J Brown. [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. Early in her career, Melbourne underwent a series of short annual refits, commencing in September and ending in January or February of the next year. [152] In June 1977, the Defence Force Development Committee approved an investigation into acquiring a STOVL/helicopter carrier. She went on to visit Hong Kong in April before proceeding to Osaka, Japan, where members of the crew and the ships band contributed to Australian National Day on 8 May during Expo 70. [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. Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.[1]. [1][27] The flight deck was again reinforced and strengthened, and attempts were made to increase the effectiveness of the air conditioning system installed in 1969. 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. [36], On 5 December 1976, a fire at the Naval Air Station HMASAlbatross destroyed or heavily damaged 12 of the Fleet Air Arm's 13 S-2E Trackers. Melbourne departed for her South East Asian deployment on 24 February, during which she visited New Guinea; Singapore where she participated in Exercise FOTEX 65; Hong Kong; the Philippines where she took part in the SEATO exercise SEAHORSE; and Thailand. [97] The Royal Commission and its aftermath were poorly handled, and following pressure from the public, media, and politicians, combined with revelations by Voyager's former executive officer that Stevens may have been unfit for command, a second Royal Commission was opened in 1967. [29] The next major refit ran from April 1975 to June 1976, and was intended to increase the operational lifespan of the carrier to at least 1985. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations. [98][99] This is the only time in Australian history two Royal Commissions have been held for a single incident. 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). She went on to visit Kobe, Manila and Singapore where she participated in Exercise BERSATU PADU involving defence units from Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore in May and June. The fleet made its way northwards to the Philippines over the course of the exercise which concluded with a fly-over of aircraft over Manila. During the 1970s and early 1980s, replacing parts became an increasing problem. Abaft the funnel, an SPN-35 carrier-controlled approach radar was mounted within a dome, and on the lattice mast a new tactical air navigation (TACAN) aerial and electronic countermeasures (ECM) pods were mounted. Her steam catapult, arresting equipment and mirror landing system were not removed. [114] Rear Admiral John Crabb, the Flag Officer Commanding Australian Fleet, was also embarked on the carrier. The Sycamores crew and all four passengers were safely retrieved by Hermes. You can also find information on crew members to the rank of Petty Officer by checking punishment returns for 1912 to 1959, series A7111. Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. 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. The Melbourne struck the Evans amidship cutting her in half. [120] After having narrowly passed in front of Melbourne, the turns quickly placed Evans back in the carrier's path. [4] Construction resumed in 1946, and major modifications to the design were incorporated. Temporary repairs were affected at sea before Melbourne proceeded to Singapore that afternoon. The collision of HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Voyager remains the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) worst peacetime disaster. [44] These weapons were donated to the Australian War Memorial at Stavromenos, in Crete's Rethymno regional unit. [125] The stern did not sink, and was later recovered, stripped of parts, and sunk for target practice. 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. We hold several sources of information on RAN ships. She departed Sydney to pick up the RANs new Skyhawks and Trackers in the USA on 20 September 1967. She joined Sydneys escort group for the final time early in June, and visited Malaysia later in the month before returning home. On 15 August 1947 the Government approved the creation of the Naval (later Fleet) Air Arm. [54] Melbourne was unavailable to provide air cover for the RAN for up to four months in every year; this time was required for refits, refuelling, personnel leave, and non-carrier duties, such as the transportation of troops or aircraft. The cause of the accident was never discovered although insufficient wind speed over the deck appears to be the most likely reason. SEALION concluded on 13 May at Singapore. Left: A Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind. Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, England, Lady Anderson, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. [143] On return in July, the carrier entered a major refit, which continued until 3 August 1979. [67][68] The carrier spent the rest of the year visiting Australian ports for open inspections by the public. Melbourne was back in dock from November 1972 until August 1973, with further work done to her catapult. She once again departed for her South East Asian deployment from Fremantle, with a fleet of warships comprised of HMAS Voyager, HMNZS Royalist, HM Ships Chichester, Cheviot, Cossack and Albion, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Reliant, Resurgent and Olna. 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. Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions. [61][63] Melbourne sailed east via the Great Australian Bight, meeting sister ship HMASSydney near Kangaroo Island a week later. This cine film has been placed online as part of the Sea Power Centre - Australias ongoing archival digitisation program. In April 1946 the RAN received prime ministerial permission to investigate the establishment of a naval Fleet Air Arm along British lines. 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. She arrived in Fremantle, via Jakarta, on 14 April. Reference staff can help you locate these ledgers and use the database. de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53 fighter aircraft were flown by 805 Squadron RAN and 808 Squadron RAN, while Fairey Gannet anti-submarine strike aircraft were operated by 816 Squadron RAN and 817 Squadron RAN. The forward section of Evans sank in 3 minutes. She departed for her annual South East Asian deployment from Darwin on 7 April, and visited Singapore before proceeding on to Manila to participate in Exercise SEALION. [20] The flight deck was angled 5.5 degrees left of the carrier's centreline, to allow for the simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft. [151] In 1968, Hermes took part in a combined exercise with the RAN, during which the carrier was visited by RAN and Australian government officials, while RAN Skyhawks and Trackers practised landings on the larger carrier. [169] Another anchor and the starboard side ship's bell are on display at the RAN Heritage Centre at Garden Island. Honour Roll OFFICERS AND MEN LOST IN HMAS SYDNEY (II) Name. The Forgotten Cruiser HMAS Melbourne 1913-1928 By Andrew Kilsby and Greg Swinden, Longueville Media, Woollahra, NSW, 2013. [151] The performance of Invincible and other Royal Navy aircraft carriers during the conflict showed that the report which suggested reductions in the size of Britain's carrier fleetwith the follow-on effect of making Invincible available for salewas flawed, and both sides withdrew from the deal in July. [147] On 24 October, a Tracker from Melbourne observed Soviet warships Storozhevoy and Ivan Rogov shadowing the squadron. 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