On This Day
1919-1938 > Depresssion and between the wars
On This Day - 1919-1938
- January 22, 1925
The Australian Government approved the establishment of a Fleet Air Arm in the RAN. The Commonwealth Naval Order (137/25), signed 8 days later declared “The Naval Board has decided to establish a Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Australian Navy, based as far as practicable on the scheme adopted in the Royal Navy”.
- January 18, 1925
HMAS ADELAIDE, (light cruiser), joined the 1st Cruiser Squadron, HM Ships DEHLI and DRAGON, at Gibraltar.
- January 6, 1925
The former German yacht, HMAS UNA, (ex KOMET), was sold out of service to the Port Melbourne Pilot Service and renamed AKUNA. She remained in the pilot service until 1953.
- October 24, 1924
A punitive party from the cruiser HMAS ADELAIDE, (CMDR W. Whitehorn, RN) landed at Malaita to subjugate rebellious natives.
- June 27, 1924
The Australian Government approved the building of two heavy cruisers and two submarines for the RAN.
- June 6, 1924
The motor-vessel/tender HMAS KOORONGA, was commissioned. KOORONGA was laid down in Williamstown, VIC, as a tug, in 1919.
- June 2, 1924
HMAS GERANIUM, (survey vessel), embarked a Fairey HID seaplane. GERANIUM was the first Australian ship to use aircraft for surveying.
- June 1, 1924
HMAS FRANKLIN, (armed yacht), was transferred as a gift to the Administration of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea. The yacht was used by the Territory Administrator until 1932.
- May 14, 1924
The turret ship HMAS CERBERUS, (which had been renamed PLAYTPUS II), was sold for 80 pounds, and taken to Williamstown Dockyard for dismantling. The hulk was later sunk as a breakwater at Black Rock, in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne. CERBERUS has commenced service with the Victorian Navy in 1871, and had become part of the Australian Navy in 1901.
- May 9, 1924
Wing Commander S. J. Goble, and Flight Lieutenant I. E. Mclntyre, both former RNAS pilots, completed the first around- Australian flight in Fairey seaplanes.