On This Day
1946-1959 > Post WW2
On This Day - 1946-1959
- April 27, 1955
Both 816 and 817 Squadron was decommissioned at Nowra as the Firefly was phased out of service and replaced by the Fairey Gannet
- April 25, 1955
HMAS VENGEANCE, (aircraft carrier), was returned to the RN after service in the RAN. She was later sold to Brazil, and renamed MINAS GERIAS.
- April 1, 1955
The Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, announced the decision to commit Australian forces to the Far East Strategic Reserve, (FESR), in Malaya. The Navy’s contribution was to include two frigates or destroyers and an annual visit by HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier). The first two RAN warships sent to South East Asia as part of the FESR were the destroyers HMAS ARUNTA and HMAS WARRAMUNGA. The FESR duties for the RAN continued until 1971.
- March 26, 1955
HMAS AUSTRALIA, (heavy cruiser), departed Sydney under tow of the Dutch tug RODE ZEE, for breaking up at the yard which built her at Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.
- February 24, 1955
VADM Sir Roy Dowling was appointed as Chief of Naval Staff.
- February 23, 1955
The Naval Health Benefits Society, (NHBS) was formed to provide private health insurance for the families of serving members, and ex RAN personnel.
- February 14, 1955
HMAS HAWKESBURY, was paid off for disposal. After being declared for disposal early in 1961, she was sold to the Tolo Mining and Smelting Co Ltd of Hong Kong on 21 September 1961. She was later resold to a Japanese firm, Amakasu Sangyo Kisen Co Ltd, but remained at her Navy mooring until 7 September 1962. During that month Hawkesbury and her sister ship Murchison, also bought by the Japanese firm, left Sydney under tow, bound for the Far East to be broken up.
- January 5, 1955
HMAS AUSTRALIA, (8 inch cruiser), was advertised for disposal at Sydney.
- December 7, 1954
HMAS QUEENBOROUGH was re-commissioned as an anti-submarine Frigate. During conversion she became the first ship of the RAN fitted with Type 170 Asdic and the Mk 10 Limbo mortar.
- October 27, 1954
HMAS VENDETTA, (Daring class destroyer), was launched at Williamstown, VIC.