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You are here: Home / On This Day / On This Day - 1960-1975

On This Day

1960-1975 > Vietnam era

On This Day - 1960-1975

May 2, 1977

HMAS SWAN sailed in response to an urgent request for medical assistance from SS Austral Moon. Two crew members had suffered serious injuries when the 30,000 tonne American freighter encountered heavy weather some 650nm due east of Sydney. Swan rendezvoused with Austral Moon that afternoon. The inclement weather precluded the use of Swan’s boats so a line was passed to the freighter and connected to an inflatable naval life raft. Surgeon Lieutenant Brian Misso and Leading Seaman Phillip Littlewood were lowered into the raft to be pulled across to Austral Moon while Swan afforded a lee as best she could in the conditions. There were tense moments as the line parted during the crossing but Lieutenant Misso and Leading Seaman Littlewood were able to secure the raft and board the freighter. They remained on board Austral Moon until she arrived in Sydney the following morning and the two injured sailors were transferred to a waiting ambulance at Circular Quay.

December 27, 1975

725 Squadron, flying the Wessex, decommissioned

December 3, 1975

HMAS OTAMA, (Oberon class submarine), was launched by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, in Greenock, Scotland. She was the last of the Oberon class submarines built for the RAN.

November 24, 1975

HMAS ANZAC, (Battle class destroyer), was sold out of service for breaking up in Hong Kong.

November 17, 1975

RADM G. V. Gladstone was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet. His flagship was HMAS SUPPLY.

October 5, 1975

HMAS SYDNEY, (aircraft carrier and fast troop transport), was sold for breaking up in South Korea.

September 15, 1975

HMS ODIN, the last Royal Navy submarine to serve with the Australian Submarine Flotilla, sailed from Sydney.

September 12, 1975

HMAS FLINDERS, (survey ship), completed the RAN’s first survey controlled by a satellite navigation system, off the coast of Bougainville

September 5, 1975

Two armament workers were killed in an explosion at the RAN’s Armament Depot, at Newington, Sydney. The accident occurred during the testing of a torpedo firing pistol.

July 20, 1975

CAPT A. S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, OBE, RAN, died in Melbourne.

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