On This Day

1960-1975 > Vietnam era

August 12, 1962

The Bird, (ex-RN Ton), class minesweeper HMAS CURLEW, (LEUT B. J. G. Dunn, RAN), was commissioned. CURLEW was laid down in Montrose Shipyard Ltd, Scotland, in April 1953, and launched on 6 October 1953. She was purchased for the RAN IN 1962.

July 19, 1962

The Bird, (ex-RN Ton), class minesweeper HMAS GULL, (LEUT A. L. Beaumont, RAN), was commissioned. GULL, (as HMS SWANSTON), was laid down in J. S. Doig Ltd, Grimsby, England, in August 1953, and launched on 1 July 1954. In 1962 she was purchased for the RAN.

July 18, 1962

The Bird, (ex-RN Ton), class minesweeper HMAS HAWK, (CMDR D. A. Ross, RAN), was commissioned. HAWK, (as HMS GAMSTON, renamed SOMERLEYTON), was laid down in Richards Ironworks Ltd, Lowestoft, England, in June 1953, and launched on 17 September 1955. She was purchased for the RAN in 1962.

July 12, 1962

The first Japanese warships to visit Australia since WWII, arrived at Sydney. The Squadron comprised of Japanese Ships TERUZUKI, ARIAKE, YUGURE, and HARUSAMU, (destroyers).

July 5, 1962

HMAS MACQUARIE, (frigate), was sold out of service for breaking up in Japan.

June 8, 1962

HMAS Koompartoo was sold.

April 20, 1962

HMAS Parramatta joined her sister ship Yarra deploying to the Far East where the two ships relieved HMA Ships Quickmatch and Vampire in the Britsh Commonwealth Strategic Reserve. During that deployment Parramatta’s crew took part in the SEATO exercise SEA DEVIL before visiting Japan in company with other RAN vessels.

March 7, 1962

HMAS SYDNEY was commissioned as a fast troop transport under CAPT R. I. Peek, OBE, DSC, RAN.

March 3, 1962

The former cruiser HMAS HOBART departed Sydney under tow for breaking up in Japan.

February 24, 1962

VADM Sir Wilfred Hastings Harrington, DSO, CBE, KBE, was appointed as Chief of Naval Staff.

February 1, 1962

HMAS COOTAMUNDRA, (minesweeper), was sold out of service for breaking up.

January 15, 1962

Divers discovered the wreck of MV FAIR WIND at the entrance to the Macleay River, NSW. The vessel was under charter to the RAN for surveying in New Guinea waters and vanished without trace in 1950 while on passage from Port Moresby to Sydney.

January 8, 1962

RADM A. W. R. McNicoll, CBE, GM, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet.

December 1, 1961

RAN Clearance Divers operating from HMAS KIMBLA, and the diving tender WALRUS, salvaged vital parts of a Viscount civil airliner, which had crashed with the loss of 15 lives into Botany Bay, NSW.

September 10, 1961

The K13 Memorial Park was dedicated at Carlingford, in northern Sydney. The memorial was the idea of ex-Leading Telegraphist Charles Freestone, who had served in the ill fated HMS K13, which had sunk with heavy loss of life in January 1917. He later emigrated to Australia, and became a wealthy businessman. Freestone died in 1958 before the memorial was completed, but his widow ensured that it was finished. Although dedicated to the submarine K 13, the memorial has become the place of remembrance for all Commonwealth officers and sailors who have lost their lives while serving in submarines. A memorial service, by the Australian Submarine Squadron, is held there every year on 11 November.

July 27, 1961

The River class destroyer escort, (ex-type 12 frigate), HMAS YARRA, (CMDR J. L. W. Merson, RAN), was commissioned. YARRA was laid down in Williamstown Dockyard, VIC on 9 April 1957, and launched on 30 June 1958. Lady McBride, (Wife of Sir Philip McBride, Minister for Defence), performed the launching ceremony.

July 4, 1961

The River class destroyer escort HMAS PARRAMATTA, (CMDR G. R. Griffiths, DSC, RAN), was commissioned. PARRAMATTA was laid down in Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, 3 January 1957, and launched on 31 January 1959. Lady Dowling, (Wife of ADML Sir Roy Dowling, RAN, Chief of the Naval Staff), performed the launching ceremony.

June 16, 1961

HMAS MELBOURNE used the RAN-devised Bailey Bridge loading ramp for aircraft carriers at Garden Island, Sydney. The ramp greatly reduced the time required for loading.

June 16, 1961

Fleet entry into Sydney Harbour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the RAN. Included were HMAS Melbourne, Voyager, Quickmatch, Parramatta, Swan, Warrego, Barcoo, Kimbla and HMS Tapir and Trump. At the same time FAA Sea Venoms, Sea Furys, Fireflys and Gannets flew over the harbour.

June 2, 1961

The Chilean Navy’s ESMERALDA, (barquentine), visited Sydney. The training ship was the first large sailing vessel to call at the port for ten years.

May 31, 1961

725 Squadron decommissioned and its aircraft were transferred to 724 Squadron.

May 8, 1961

The nuclear-powered submarine USS SARGO, visited Sydney for Coral Sea Week celebrations.

April 17, 1961

HMAS DERWENT, (destroyer escort), was launched at Williamstown, VIC.

April 8, 1961

HMAS STUART, (destroyer escort), was launched at Cockatoo Island, Sydney.

April 7, 1961

The British First Sea Lord, Lord Carrington, announced British plans for the creation of powerful naval and commando forces in the Far East in conjunction with the RAN.