CPO Jackson, of HMAS KIMBLA, (survey vessel), was washed overboard and drowned in heavy seas, while the ship was leaving Port Philip Bay, VIC. His body was never recovered. ...
Australian Naval History on 23 August 1979
The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, announced the building of an underway replenishment ship for the RAN at Cockatoo Island. The ship was named HMAS SUCCESS. ...
Australian Naval History on 20 August 1979
Trials of the Australian-designed and developed Mulloka Submarine Sonar System were completed in HMAS YARRA. ...
Australian Naval History on 17 August 1979
The Australian designed and manufactured Mulloka Sonar System, was accepted for service in the RAN ...
Australian Naval History on 4 May 1979
RAN Clearance Divers blasted a new harbour and shipping channel out of a coral reef at Noro, Solomon Islands. This was done to allow local fishermen better access to the ...
Australian Naval History on 1 May 1979
The initial engagement period for General Entry Sailors was reduced from nine to six years. ...
Australian Naval History on 21 April 1979
VADM Sir James Willis, KBE, AO, RAN, is appointed Chief of Naval Staff. ...
Australian Naval History on 12 April 1979
RADM D. Leach, CBE, MVO, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet. ...
Australian Naval History on 9 March 1979
The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, officially opened the new guided missile frigate berth at Garden Island, Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 15 January 1979
The RAN Staff College was officially opened at HMAS PENGUIN, Sydney, under the command of CAPT N. Ralph, AM, DSC, RAN. Prior to this all RAN officers undergoing staff training ...
Australian Naval History on 5 January 1979
HMAS HOBART, (guided missile destroyer), was dispatched on a 3000 nautical mile mercy dash to Heard Island to evacuate a seriously ill biologist. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 December 1978
HMAS CANBERRA, (guided missile frigate), was launched at Seattle, USA. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 October 1978
Female Officers of the WRANS were granted equal pay with their male counterparts. ...
Australian Naval History on 28 July 1978
HMAS STIRLING, (shore establishment in Western Australia), commissioned. Located at Garden Island WA,. near the town of Rockingham, the base is often referred to as Fleet Base West. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 July 1978
HMAS VENDETTA, (destroyer), represented Australia at the Solomon Island Independence Day celebrations, at Honiara. ...
Australian Naval History on 21 June 1978
HMAS ADELAIDE, (guided missile frigate), was launched at Seattle, USA. ...
Australian Naval History on 8 May 1978
RADM G. J. Willis, AO, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet. ...
Australian Naval History on 27 April 1978
The Oberon class submarine HMAS OTAMA, was commissioned. OTAMA was laid down at Scott’s Yard, Greenock, Scotland, on 28 May 1973, and launched on 3 December 1975. HRH Princess Anne ...
Australian Naval History on 21 April 1978
CDRE Sir James Ramsay, became the first officer of the RAN to be knighted twice. CDRE Ramsay, a Knight Bachelor and Governor of WA, was created a KCMG. ...
Australian Naval History on 16 December 1977
HMA Ships BRUNEI, LABUAN, and WEWAK, (landing craft heavy), broke adrift in the Brisbane River during a violent tropical storm. The ships were saved from serious damage, and possible loss, ...
Australian Naval History on 2 December 1977
AB R. A. McLeod, RAN, was awarded the Australian Bravery Medal for the rescue of five members of the crew of HMAS ARROW, (patrol boat), which sank in Darwin Harbour ...
Australian Naval History on 27 August 1977
HMAS COOK, (oceanographic ship), was launched by Mrs. Joyce Killen, wife of the Minister for Defence, at Williamstown, VIC. ...
Australian Naval History on 25 August 1977
HMAS JERVIS BAY, (ex-merchant vessel AUSTRALIAN TRADER), was commissioned as a training ship. ...
Australian Naval History on 17 August 1977
Legislation for the proclamation of a 200 mile Australian fishing zone was examined by the Australian Government. ...
Australian Naval History on 28 July 1977
Kiowa 891 crashed near Sunday Island, Western Australia while recovering one of the HMAS Moresby’s crew from the top of a cliff. The man jumped aboard the helicopter which then ...