The repair ship HMAS PING WO, (LCDR D. M. Clarke, RANR), was commissioned. PING WO was a former Yangtse River ferry The ship had escaped from Singapore in February 1942, and was involved as one of the vessels which towed HMAS VENDETTA, (destroyer), to Australia. She served as a tender for HMA Ships KANIMBLA, MANOORA, and WESTRALIA, (landing ships infantry). PING WO, and another converted ferry HMAS WHANGPU, (repair ship), were known throughout the Navy as the ‘China Fleet’ ships.