On This Day
1960-1975 > Vietnam era
On This Day - 1960-1975
- May 9, 1960
Whilst in the China Sea HMAS MELBOURNE lost an XA359 Gannet aircraft. The aircraft lost on engine whilst being catapulted and ditched ahead of the ship. LCDR Rowland was the pilot, and LEUT’s Horton and Findlay observers. Rowland was rescued by the SAR Sycamore helicopter, Horton and Findlay by HMS CAVALIER, and later transfered to MELBOURNE.
- April 30, 1960
The Foundation-stone of the HMAS WATSON Memorial Chapel, also known as the Chapel of St. George the Martyr, was laid by a young man, a ward of Legacy, who remained anonymous. His father was a Naval rating who lost his life in service at sea in World War II, three months before his son was born. The chapel was completed in 1961.
- March 6, 1960
HMAS QUICKMATCH, (frigate), was dispatched from Darwin to search for survivors from the Indonesian lugger SEMANGAT BARU. The wreck of the vessel was found 400 miles south of Bathurst Island, One survivor was picked up.
- February 16, 1960
HMAS BANKS, (general purpose vessel), was commissioned. BANKS was laid down at Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD in 1959, and launched on 15 December 1959. She and her sister ship BASS, had a varied career in the RAN alternating from RANR training ships, survey work, and navigation training for Midshipman and Senior Sailors.