HMAS Balikpapan was temporarily decommissioned and placed in a state of reserve at Cairns. She remained in reserve until mid-1989, when it was decided that she would be reactivated as ...
Australian Naval History on 19 September 1985
The strength of the RAN’s heavy landing ship squadron was cut by half when HMA Ships TARAKAN, WEWAK, and BALIKPAPAN, were decommissioned ...
Australian Naval History on 18 September 1985
A naval court martial convened at HMAS PENGUIN, Sydney, found the Commanding Officer of HMAS WOLLONGONG, (patrol boat), guilty of negligence in grounding his ship off Gabo Island on 31 ...
Australian Naval History on 6 September 1985
The first official rum issue made in a ship of the RAN in 30 years, was made to the crew of HMAS HOBART, (guided missile destroyer), at Victoria, British Columbia. ...
Australian Naval History on 2 September 1985
A RAN Sea King helicopter, piloted by LCDR T. King, USN, rescued the crew of the yacht VOSS in heavy seas off Newcastle NSW ...
Australian Naval History on 16 August 1985
HMAS Wewak decommissioned at HMAS Moreton, and the following day departed for Cairns for refit and operational lay-up. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 August 1985
CAPT F. N. Cook, DSC, RAN, died in Sydney. He distinguished himself in operations in Occupied France in WWII. ...
Australian Naval History on 16 July 1985
HMAS BENDIGO, became the first patrol boat to circumnavigate Australia. ...
Australian Naval History on 30 June 1985
The uniformed strength of the RAN was 15,536 officers and ratings. ...
Australian Naval History on 13 June 1985
HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier), reached China under tow. The Chinese Navy telexed the following message: ‘Pls B advised that HMAS MELBOURNE arrived at Port Huangpu intact n safely afloat, proud ...
Australian Naval History on 7 June 1985
Naval Forces (Women’s Services) Regulations repealed (the term WRAN was retained for administrative purposes). The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 had made separate women’s branches for the Australian Defence Force unsustainable. ...
Australian Naval History on 31 May 1985
The Fremantle class patrol boat HMAS WOLLONGONG, (LCDR I. Gulliver, RAN), was extensively damaged when she ran aground at Gabo Island during a storm. LCDR Gulliver was court-martialled, and found ...
Australian Naval History on 3 May 1985
RADM I. W. Knox was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet. ...
Australian Naval History on 30 April 1985
CDRE John Matthews, RAN, (Retired), was appointed as the Administrator for Norfolk Island. The ex aircraft carrier, HMAS MELBOURNE, was towed in to Moreton Bay, QLD, when heavy winds and ...
Australian Naval History on 27 April 1985
The former aircraft carrier HMAS MELBOURNE, departed Sydney under tow by the Chinese tug DE PING. She was bound for Canton, (Guangzhou), to be broken up. Despite inclement weather, hundreds ...
Australian Naval History on 24 April 1985
A civilian workman was killed onboard the ex-HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier), berthed at Garden Island Dockyard, SYDNEY. He fell from the flight deck into the hangar when the aircraft hoist ...
Australian Naval History on 23 April 1985
The prestigious Royal Geographic Society of Australia’s J. P. Thompson Foundation Gold Medal, was awarded to the survey vessel, HMAS FLINDERS, (LCDR G. J. Bond, RAN), for the survey of, ...
Australian Naval History on 21 April 1985
VADM M. W. Hudson, AC, was appointed Chief of Naval Staff. On his last day of service in 1991, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral. ...
Australian Naval History on 19 April 1985
HMAS BETANO was the first landing craft heavy, (LCH), in the RAN, to be assigned to survey duties. Over the next eight years other LCH’s were used as interim survey ...
Australian Naval History on 4 March 1985
The Indonesian Navy patrol boat KRI SIADA, ex HMAS BARBETTE, ran aground on North West Reef off Cape York, QLD. She was later re-floated and towed to Thursday Island for ...
Australian Naval History on 3 March 1985
HMA Ships CESSNOCK and IPSWICH, (patrol boats), each apprehended two Indonesian fishing boats poaching in Australian waters off Melville Island. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 March 1985
A permanent and purpose built Maritime Headquarters for the RAN was established at Fleet Base East, Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 22 February 1985
HMAS BARBETTE, (patrol boat), was transferred to the Indonesian Navy as a gift and renamed KRI SIADI. ...
Australian Naval History on 15 February 1985
HMAS Kimbla paid off. During her long career Kimbla steamed 363,038 nautical miles at an average speed of just seven knots. At the time of her decommissioning Kimbla held the ...
Australian Naval History on 12 February 1985
The Australian Government announced a $4000 million plan for the replacement of destroyer escorts still in service. ...